Friday, January 30, 2015

Latest Info On Roosevelt island Main Street Retail From Master Leaseholder Hudson Related - Trellis Renovation Delay, Possible Move Of Card Shop To Smaller Space, New Day Care Tenant, No More Summer Eleanor's Pier On Waterfront & More

 Image Of Trellis Diner Behind Construction

Here's the latest on Roosevelt Island Main Street retail store news.

Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder Hudson Related's representative Arianna Sacks Rosenberg briefed and answered questions from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors and members of the community during last night's RIOC Real Estate Advisory Committee meeting (audio web cast of meeting will be here).

The meeting began with RIOC Director Howard Polivy establishing the ground rules for the meeting and introducing Ms. Rosenberg.



Ms. Rosenberg reviewed progress made  to date including signing 9 new leases with these tenants:
  • Wholesome Factory,
  • New York Public Library,
  • Island Wines,
  • Subway Sandwiches,
  • Main Street Sweets,
  • Urgent Care Medical Center,
  • the Trellis and Gallery RIVAA renewals and
confirmed the signing of a new lease with a Day Care Center at 568 Main Street.

Ms. Rosenberg said they are talking with other retailers including restaurants and "non profit types" for the 6 existing vacant spaces.

Among the other issues discussed were:
  • Is the rent sought by Hudson Related too high for potential Roosevelt Island tenants? Ms Rosenberg said no.
  • Ugly empty storefront windows - asked Hudson Related to make windows more attractive with signage or temporary installations
  • Card and Gift Shop lease expired and being offered smaller space at 615 Main Street (former Boy Scout Storage Space) and 507 Main Street (former Chiropractor's office)
  • Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Main Street Retail Committee input.

  • Ugly Trellis plywood construction shed,
  • Concern that Hudson Related leasing program is waiting for completion of Cornell Campus,
  • Bleak view down Main Street Arcade,
  • Deterioration Of Main Street Arcade, new paint is chipping,
  • Benches at Roosevelt Landings should be turned around facing street instead of facing building,
  • Fresh new sidewalks for Northtown, remove the Z Bricks,
  • Trellis renovation construction problems caused by discovery of unknown structural wall,
  • Perception by some that Hudson Related Main Street retail improvements were being done for the benefit of their Southtown buildings


  • Neither H-R, Trellis or Island House owner knew about the structural wall before demolition began and
  • New Day Care tenant at 546 Main Street is a woman who has operated day care facility in Roosevelt Island apartment but may not be currently doing so.


We also learned the unfortunate news that Hudson Related is not bringing back the Eleanor's Pier waterfront restaurant this summer.



I hope RIOC has some plans for bringing another restaurant or food service of some kind to the Pier this summer.