Report From Acting RIOC President Don Lewis - Roosevelt Island Motorgate Gallery Opening, Public Safety Audit, FDNY Tram Training, Good Shepherd Restoration & Pick The Summer Movies

 Image Of Acting RIOC President Don Lewis From RIOC

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Acting President Don Lewis sends the following report to Roosevelt Island residents.

Motorgate Gallery Opening Event

We are pleased to announce the Grand Opening of the Motorgate Gallery scheduled for Saturday, March 23 at 2:00 p.m. We are excited about the Project which through creative repurposing will have art adorn the walls of Motorgate’s atrium for the first time in many years. The Gallery is part of RIOC’s continuing efforts to expand the beautification of public spaces on the Island. Selected from works that were originally seen during previous Fall for Arts Festivals, the colorful murals were created by residents, local artists, students from The Child School/Legacy High School and PS/IS 217, and Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association (RIVAA) members. The pieces range in size and portray vivid images of Roosevelt Island, nature, cultural themes and abstract designs. We would like to thank RIVAA and its president Tad Sudol for partnering with us on the project and co-sponsoring the Project.

The Motorgate Gallery is located inside the atrium of the Motorgate Parking Garage at 628 Main Street, next to the newly renovated Gristedes Supermarket. Following the Opening, there will be a reception at Gallery RIVAA, 527 Main Street, at 3:00 p.m. Light refreshments and drinks will be served. We hope you are able to attend.

PSD Operational Audit

We previously mentioned that we have issued an RFP for an independent outside firm to conduct an operational audit of the RIOC Public Safety Department. The closing date for the RFP was earlier this week. A contract will be awarded in the next few days and we expect the audit to commence shortly thereafter.

FDNY Tram Training

Last week the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) began conducting a series of weekly training sessions on the Roosevelt Island Tram. The sessions take place on one Tram cabin every Wednesday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm through April 24. As part of the training exercises, FDNY members may climb on top of a suspended Tram, and/or repel down from the Tram. We work with FDNY to schedule these sessions during off-peak hours and on only one car so that regular service is not disrupted.

RIOC will issue advisories via email before each training session to keep the public informed. To receive our advisories, please subscribe by email at subscribe@rioc.com.

Good Shepherd Restoration Project

The Good Shepherd Restoration Project is continuing as planned. A contract was awarded this week for the final piece, the Streetscape design. Now that the pavers are in place and the new slate roof is on the building, we are ready for the design phase to begin. In a collaborative approach with members of the community, we hope to develop a look for our town center that is not only beautiful, but also supports a combination of uses ranging from peaceful contemplation to lively community events.

Summer Movie Series Voting

RIOC’s Summer Outdoor Movie Series is scheduled to begin in late June, but the process for selecting the six films that will be shown is already underway. Based on previous submissions from Island residents, we have a list of six finalists in six different genres: action/adventure, comedy, family/kids, science-fiction, fantasy, and “movies we love.” You can vote in either of two ways: (i) like us on Facbeook at www.facebook.com/RIOCNY and then click on the “Survey Monkey” tab; or (ii) visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SOMS. The deadline to cast your vote is Sunday, March 31. Thank you to everyone who has already participated.