Friday, August 7, 2015

No Rocketship Needed To Get Off Roosevelt Island This Weekend - F Train Service To And From Manhattan Again This Weekend Says MTA

Good news. A Rocketship is not needed to get off Roosevelt Island this weekend.

Oh, that? They closed the Roosevelt Island F stop for repairs this weekend.
According to the MTA Weekender, there will be Roosevelt Island F train service


to and from Manhattan this weekend.

Kudos go to Paul Arnold, a visitor to Roosevelt Island from Indiana, for suggesting the caption to New Yorker Magazine cartoon at top which captures Roosevelt Island residents F train weekend frustrations.

Mr Arnold experienced Roosevelt Island weekend F train disruptions while staying with a friend who lives here. Mr. Arnold explained to his Roosevelt Island friend:
Your little chunk of paradise is on my mind just now, I guess. This is my entry for the NYorker caption contest.
Mr. Arnold submitted the caption to the New Yorker Cartoon Contest in July but did not win.

Con Edison Begins Roosevelt Island High Pressure Gas Upgrade Monday August 10, Staging Area Work Began Today - No Parking Or Walking On Portions Of Main Street August 10 -14


Get ready for the some more Main Street traffic headaches starting Monday morning as Con Edison begins work on the Roosevelt Island High Pressure Gas upgrade.

Image Of Roosevelt Island Main Street No Parking/Standing Site For Con Ed Gas Project Work

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
No Parking- Con Edison Gas Project Work

There will be No Parking, Stopping or Standing on the West side of Main Street between 591-625 Main Street beginning Monday, August 10, 2015 at 12 AM until Friday, August, 14, 2015 at 3 PM. This area will be reduced to one lane traffic Monday - Friday from 9 AM to 2:30 PM.

The sidewalk on the east side of Main Street, in front of Capobianco Field, will be closed to pedestrian traffic. Pedestrians may cross over to the west side of the street either at the crosswalk near 591 or 625 Main Street.

Parking rules will be strictly enforced in the Commercial Loading Zone in front of 575 Main Street. Island House, as all deliveries will be directed to unload at this location.

We appreciate your cooperation during this project.
Con Edison contractors apparently did not wait until Monday to start work

Image of Site Where Will Begin Work On Monday, August 10 From 7/23 Con Ed Town Hall

as they were setting up a staging area today


underneath the Roosevelt Island Bridge Helix ramp.

More information on the Con Edison Roosevelt Island High Pressure Gas upgrade here and full video of Town Hall meeting on matter here.

At the same time there is ongoing building facade work going on at Roosevelt Landings


causing more Main Street traffic interruptions south of the Con Edison work between 505 and 543 Main Street.

Oy.

UPDATE - From Con Edison:

Roosevelt Island Outdoor Movie Tennessee Williams Double Feature Weekend At Firefighters Field - Streetcar Named Desire Friday August 7 & Cat On A Hot Tin Roof Saturday August 8


The 2015 Roosevelt Island Outdoor Summer Movie Series at Firefighters Field

 mage Of July 12,2014 Showing Of Marvel's The Avengers At Firefighters Field

is showing A Streetcar Named Desire tonight, Friday August 7 starting at 7 PM



and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof Saturday August 8 starting at 7 PM.



According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Before they hit the big screens, this weekend’s feature films were on Broadway!

This Friday, August 7th, bring your friends and family and join us for the screening of the Oscar Award winning film: A Streetcar Named Desire

Then on Saturday, August 8th, come watch the winning Pulitzer Prize film: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Before each movie, there will be music, trivia, prizes and much more! You are welcomed to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Food on-site available for purchase. Beginning at 7 PM at Firefighter’s Field (across from the Tram). These are two movie nights that you don't want to miss!

Schedule of screenings this summer:

Saturday August 22nd: Casablanca (Rain Date: August 29th)

Friday August 28th: Singin’ in the Rain (Rain Date: TBA)

This free event is sponsored by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation.
UPDATE 6:55 PM - From RIOC:
Please be advised that tonight's outdoor screening of A Streetcar Named Desire has been moved to Capobianco Field (between 580 Main Street and the Helix ramp). Entertainment will begin at 7:15 PM.

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Roosevelt Island Town Hall Meeting With NYC Public Advocate Letitia James Co-Hosted By NY State Senator Jose Serrano And Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright - Here's What Happened

Image Of Public Advocate Letitia James, State Senator Serrano & Assembly Member Seawright

NYC Public Advocate Letitia Jones, please call her Tish, held a Roosevelt Island Town Hall meeting last night at the Good Shepherd Community Center
co-hosted by NY State Senator Jose Serrano and Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright.
Here's what happened.

Part 1 - Senator Serrano introduced Ms James and Assembly Member Seawright. Ms Seawright noted that she and Senator Serrano passed legislation permitting the distribution of RIOC Public Purpose Funds.



Part 2 - Ms James described the role of the NYC Public Advocate in public policy issues as well as constituent services for New York City residents.



Part 3 - Ms James discussed issues of specific concern to Roosevelt Island residents including:
  • Upcoming Con Ed Gas upgrade,
  • RIOC charging fees for community space and recreational fields,
  • Main Street retail diversity,
  • Cornell Tech failing to provide financial backing for school programs
  • Insuring that Cornell Tech fulfills its promises to the community and
  • more.
 Ms James emphasized that:
... Roosevelt Island cannot become a playground for the rich...
noting that:
... Roosevelt Island is run like a company and not a community...
and asked if it was time to change the Public Authority model by which Roosevelt Island is governed to that of a:
... democratic system representing Roosevelt Island...


Many of these issues were raised by Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Governance Committee Chair Joyce Short here.

Part 4 - Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer talked about getting fresh fruits and vegetables to Seniors, disabled access to curb cuts in Manhattan, higher education for seniors, affordable housing, preventing tall towers in residential areas and other issues.



Part 5 -Recently deceased Roosevelt Island resident Dominic Sciallo was was honored for his service during World War 2 and to the Roosevelt Island community.



Part 6 - Questions from Roosevelt Island residents including:
  • legislative priorities to help Seniors. Mr James responded affordable housing for Seniors,
  • discrimination issues,
  • tenant rights,
  • Tram Station elevator problems,
  • what can the Public Advocate do to help Roosevelt Island residents, (Ms. James said she would love to have a satellite office on Roosevelt Island),
  • Westview Co-op conversion electricity sub metering issue and
  • making sure Cornell Tech keeps promises it made to community in lease agreement.


That's it.

Roosevelt Island Manhattan Tram Station Red Lift Back In Service This Afternoon, RIOC Red Bus Shuttle Service To And From Manhattan Ends - Residents Ask Politicians About Broken Tram Elevator At Town Hall Last Night

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

The Manhattan Tram Station lift is back in service. The last Red Bus shuttle service to Manhattan will be at 4:00 PM 08/06/2015. The last Red Bus shuttle service to Roosevelt Island will be at 4:30 PM 08/06/2015. Thank you for your patience.
Image of Out Of Service Tram Red Lift 8/5

The subject of broken Roosevelt Island Manhattan Tram Station elevators came up during the Town Hall Meeting last night.

Roosevelt Island's NY State Senator Jose Serrano said that his office will look into the matter as did NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright.



During a later point in the Town Hall meeting, another resident reported that RIOC provides the Red Bus Shuttle to and from Manhattan when the Manhattan Tram Station elevators are out of service and added:
...RIOC is really trying.

No other place that we know of would give us that service....

Roosevelt Island Resident Dominic Sciallo Posthumously Honored For World War 2 And Community Service At Town Hall Meeting Last Night - Mr. Sciallo Remembered As Quiet Gentleman By His Friends

As reported July 1, former Roosevelt Island resident Dominic Sciallo was inducted into the NY State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame for his service during World War 2.


Mr. Sciallo was honored last night during the Roosevelt Island Town Hall meeting with NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, NY State Senator Jose Serrano, NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.

Mr. Sciallo was honored for both service to his country during World War 2 as well as service to the Roosevelt Island community, particularly the Seniors Association, by NY State Senator Jose Serrano and his friends, Roosevelt Island residents Frank Gibbs and Delores Green.

Here's what was said.



Mr. Sciallo passed away earlier this year. More on Mr. Sciallo from previous post.

Highlights From Last Saturday's Roosevelt Island Youth Program Rugby Clinic With Pacific Island Warriors Players - Join Them Saturday Afternoons In August For The RIYP Rugby Clinic

As reported last week, the Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) Rugby Clinic:

... is organized in collaboration with the Pacific Island community on Roosevelt Island. Coaching and instruction will be led by Coach Viliame Vakasisikala and members of the Pacific Island Warriors (NY) Rugby team....
The RIYP Rugby Clinic held its first session last Saturday. Pacific Island Warriors Charles Katoanga shares these photos and reports:

It was a very successful first session. There were sixteen school age kids who participated in the introductory clinic. The session started with some basic skills sessions


followed by a game of flag rugby.


It was a first for many of the kids and they all had a great time throwing the ball around. The afternoon wrapped up with touch rugby open to all ages.


Both RIYP Executive Director Charlie Defino and Coach Vili were very happy with the first day and are looking forward to next week's session. Coach Vili sharing, "It was just great to have the kids come out, interacting and enjoying a healthy and active afternoon with their community".


Upcoming RIYP Rugby Clinics takes place starting 4:30 PM Saturday afternoons, August  8, 15, 22, and 29 at the Octagon Soccer Field. Come join us.
Call the RIYP (212) 527-2505 or check out their Facebook page for more information

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Wafles & Dinges Food Truck Serving Roosevelt Island Tonight - Plans To Serve Roosevelt Island On Wednesday Evenings

The Wafles & Dinges Food Truck was serving their delicious treats this evening on Roosevelt Island near the F Train Subway Station opposite Starbucks at 455 Main Street


next to the Mausam Curry N Bites 
 Indian Food Truck.


Mausam Curry N Bites food truck is on Roosevelt Island most weekday evenings and Wafles & Dinges plans to be on Roosevelt Island Wednesday evenings.

Give them a try.

Let's see more food trucks for Roosevelt Island.

Glowing Profile Of Roosevelt Island AVAC Garbage Removal System In NY Times - But Westview Residents Ask When Their Broken AVAC Service Will Be Restored

The Roosevelt Island AVAC garbage removal system was the subject of this August 3 NY Times article:
... Roosevelt Island was envisioned with full 1970s zeal as a utopian place with affordable if somewhat Soviet-style housing in a car-free landscape. While vehicles still found their way onto the island, garbage trucks were largely banished, thanks to the pneumatic tube system, one of the largest in the world. It sucks up roughly 10 tons of trash from the island’s 12,000 residents each day...
and:
... For Roosevelt Island residents, using the Automatic Vacuum Assisted Collections System, known as Avacs, is as simple as taking out the trash. After they drop garbage down chutes in their buildings, it collects at the bottom until a trapdoor is activated, releasing the waste into 22-inch-wide red steel tubes that run underground....
Click here for full NY Times article on Roosevelt Island AVAC garbage removal system.
Unfortunately, residents of the Roosevelt Island Westview building have been living without the use of the AVAC garbage removal system recently.

A resident of Westview building commenting on the What's On Your Roosevelt Island Mind post as Westviewer asks:
The AVAC is still inoperable in Westview, as it as been for months. Management says that repairing it is the responsibility of RIOC. RIOC says it's the responsibility of the building management. When do you think it will be repaired?
Westview resident and former Roosevelt Island Residents Association President (RIRA) Matt Katz adds:
For months now, management has hung large black garbage bags in the AVAC rooms, requiring staff to collect them and store them in the basement prior to pick-up. This has resulted in considerably more work for the staff, formerly accomplished automatically by the AVAC system, and the proliferation of fruit flies in the basement, currently spreading throughout Westview. I’ve asked the new site manager ... for an update, but without a response. I don’t have a clue as to what the impediment could be.

Building staff doesn’t have a clue and neither does the Westview Task Force Board of Directors. I’ve heard stories that the problem is inside Westview and also, that a pipe broke under the street.
Image Of Garbage Bag Hung In Westview AVAC Chute Room

In response to an inquiry from Mr. Katz to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato about the status of Westview AVAC system, Ms. Indelicato reports:
Westview will be installing a new AVAC valve that will address the issue and restore service according to a letter agreement between RIOC and Westview which RIOC has signed and sent over to Westview for execution. We have provided Westview with the scope of the work to be done and the equipment needed to complete the project. The cost will be borne by both parties equally. Hopefully, Westview will start work as soon as possible.
I spoke yesterday with Westview management company representative Steven Greenbaum of Mark Greenberg Real Estate Co. Mr. Greenbaum disagreed that the Westview AVAC had been out of service for months saying that the AVAC service outage was approximately 3 weeks. Mr. Greenbaum added that there was no spread of fruit flies throughout Westview.

The good news for Westview residents according to Mr. Greenbaum is that an agreement has been signed with RIOC for repair of the AVAC with installation of a new compressor and that the Westview AVAC should be fixed within a week.

Mr. Greenbaum also complimented the building staff for doing an excellent job during the AVAC system breakdown and thanked the residents for their help and patience as well.

Roosevelt Island resident Frank Farance responded to Westviewer's concern:
Building is responsible for chutes to basement, RIOC responsible for gate/valve and onward. However, if tenant shoved a Christmas Tree down the chute and jammed the AVAC system then, I'm guessing, the building shares the responsibility of the clog ... just as your visiting guest flushing a whole roll of paper (rather than single sheets) and clogging the toilet, that's your problem not the landlord's -- ok, maybe this only happens in college -- but Christmas Trees and furniture have been sent into the AVAC. And the AVAC Santa seems to know when you've been naughty and nice.
Let's hope the Westview AVAC gets fixed this week.

UPDATE 8/11 - Mr. Greenbaum reports today that the Westview AVAC  compressor unit is installed and now working.

HIV Needle Exchange Bag Found At Roosevelt Island Firefighters Field Yesterday Prior To Softball Game

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports a HIV needle exchange bag found on the ground at Firefighters Field yesterday.

According to this June 17 RI 311 See Click Fix report about the Octagon area:
Found needles and beer cans near the picnic table area while walking the dog. Someone must be doing drugs while cooking BBQ

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Great Map Of Blackwell's (Later Welfare And Roosevelt) Island In 1879 From Discovering NYC - Some History Too

From the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

More on Blackwell's Island



from NY Historical Society.

Con Edison Roosevelt Island High Pressure Gas Infrastructure Upgrade Begins Monday August 10 - No Service Disruptions And Project Completion Expected This Fall Says Con Ed

Image of Con Ed Gas Upgrade Work Schedule Updated 8/10

As previously reported:
Con Ed will soon begin removing the aging Roosevelt Island gas lines beneath Main Street and replacing them with High Pressure Gas Lines. At the same time, Roosevelt Landings, Island House and Westview will be doing building facade work. The combination of Con Ed Gas line upgrade, building facade work and Cornell Tech construction deliveries will make for a great deal of disruptions on Main Street....
Con Edison announced today:
Starting on Monday, August 10, Con Edison will begin upgrading gas infrastructure on Main Street in front of the Capobianco Field. Crews will be working from 9AM to 2:30 PM for the first five days, and then from 7PM to 7AM for the remainder of the project. This project is expected to be complete in the fall. Schedule is subject to change. We will continue to provide you with updates.

There will be no service disruptions to customers associated with this work.
Here is the site where Con Edison will begin work on Monday, August 10.


During July 23 Town Hall Meeting, Con Edison Energy Service Manager John Romano followed by Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Director Michael Shinozaki summarized the High Pressure Gas Upgrade project.



More information on the Con Edison Roosevelt Island High Pressure Gas Upgrade, including full video of July 23 Town Hall meeting on subject, at this previous post.

An additional phase of the project is scheduled to start in Spring 2016.

Roosevelt Island Parents' Network RI MoM Walking And Exercise Group Meeting Thursday August 6 At Octagon Soccer Field - Be Ready For Thigh & Bum Challenge

Paulina Mansz of the Roosevelt Island Parents' Network reports:

Good afternoon All,

Summer has been spoiling us so far, let's enjoy these days when they last :-) The RI Moms on the Move (RI MoM) walk and exercise group will meet this THURSDAY August 6th, at 9:30AM, directly at the Soccer Field between Manhattan Park rainbow pool and the Octagon.


All moms, moms to-be, moms of all ages, moms' friends and daddies are warmly welcome!


Please bring some toys to share and a blanket.

The exercise part is voluntary! This week we will work mostly on thighs and bum, be ready for a challenge ;-)


Looking forward to seeing you and your little ones!

Please contact me for more information on the RI Mom Walk

Fat Man In Green Superhero Suit Rides On Top Of Roosevelt Island Tram - Impractical Jokers Stunt For Tru TV

Did you see a fat man in a green superhero costume


 riding on top of the Roosevelt Island Tram Tram


recently and wonder what was going on?

The answer is that it was a segment - The Adventures Of Captain Fatbelly - on the Impractical Jokers TV show.

Take a look.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Both Roosevelt Island Manhattan Tram Station Elevators Out Of Service Again - RIOC To Provide Red Bus Shuttle For Those With Limited Mobility Until Further Notice


Received the following advisory from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) at 1:31 PM:
The Manhattan Tram Station elevator and passenger lift are temporarily out of service. An advisory will be issued when service is restored.
and at 2:14 PM:
Due to an elevator service outage at the Manhattan Tram Station, the RIOC Red Bus will provide special shuttle service to and from Manhattan for those with limited mobility. Schedule information is below.

ROOSEVELT ISLAND TO MANHATTAN: Departs hourly from the bus stop near 405 Main Street from 2 PM today until further notice. Additional stops are located at 546 Main St. (opposite Good Shepherd Plaza) and opposite 645 Main Street (opposite P.S/I.S. 217).

MANHATTAN TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND: Departs hourly from the southwest corner of 58th St. and 2nd Ave. from 2:30 PM today until further notice. Additional stops are located at 645 Main St. (P.S./I.S. 217), 579 Main St. (M&D Deli), 543 Main St. (Good Shepherd Plaza), 425 Main St. (Riverwalk Bar & Grill), and the Roosevelt Island Tram Plaza. 

If you have any questions, please call the Public Safety Department at 212-832-4545. Thank you for your patience.
More on Tram station elevator outage from newly hired RIOC Director of Engineering John Bost commenting on this previous post:
The Manhattan Tram elevator has been out of service for less than a month and will certainly be fixed.

The 20 feet, 30 year old, steel piston, that displaces the elevator, has been damaged from wear. A new steel piston is being fabricated and delivery is expected the week of August 23.
The 500 lbs. piston replacement is labor intensive and will require about 40 hours of labor.

RIOC has not sent out a construction RFP because the proposed new elevators are still in the schematic design phase. Construction will not start until the design is completed to RIOC's specifications and satisfaction. The new design is beautiful. The expected completion for the new elevators will be Autumn 2016.
RIOC has promised Red Bus Shuttle service to and from Manhattan when both the Tram Elevator and Red Passenger Lift are out of service.

UPDATE 6:30 PM - From RIOC at 6:25 PM:
Due to an elevator and lift service outage at the Manhattan Tram Station, the RIOC Red Bus will provide special shuttle service to and from Manhattan for those with limited mobility. Schedule information is below.

ROOSEVELT ISLAND TO MANHATTAN: Departs hourly from the bus stop near 455 Main Street (near Riverwalk Bar and grill) with the last Manhattan bus leaving at 10 PM. Additional stops are located at 546 Main St. (opposite Good Shepherd Plaza) and opposite 645 Main Street (opposite P.S/I.S. 217).

MANHATTAN TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND: Departs hourly from the southwest corner of 58th St. and 2nd Ave. with the last Island bus being at 10:30 PM. Additional stops are located at 645 Main St. (P.S./I.S. 217), 579 Main St. (M&D Deli), 543 Main St. (Good Shepherd Plaza), 425 Main St. (Riverwalk Bar & Grill), and the Roosevelt Island Tram Plaza. 

Shuttle bus to Manhattan will continue tomorrow, 8/4/15. The First Manhattan bound bus will be at 8 AM. The first Island bound bus will be at 8:30 AM. Shuttle service will continue until further notice. If you have any questions, please call the Public Safety Department at 212-832-4545. Thank you for your patience.
UPDATE 8/5 - From RIOC:
Due to an elevator and lift service outage at the Manhattan Tram Station, the RIOC Red Bus will continue special shuttle service to and from Manhattan for those with limited mobility. Schedule information is below.

ROOSEVELT ISLAND TO MANHATTAN: Departs hourly from the bus stop near 455 Main Street (near Riverwalk Bar and grill) with the last Manhattan bus leaving at 10 PM. Additional stops are located at 546 Main St. (opposite Good Shepherd Plaza) and opposite 645 Main Street (opposite P.S/I.S. 217).

MANHATTAN TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND: Departs hourly from the southwest corner of 58th St. and 2nd Ave. with the last Island bus being at 10:30 PM. Additional stops are located at 645 Main St. (P.S./I.S. 217), 579 Main St. (M&D Deli), 543 Main St. (Good Shepherd Plaza), 425 Main St. (Riverwalk Bar & Grill), and the Roosevelt Island Tram Plaza. 

Shuttle bus to Manhattan will continue tomorrow, 8/5/15 and run until further notice. The First Manhattan bound bus will be at 8 AM. The first Island bound bus will be at 8:30 AM. If you have any questions, please call the Public Safety Department at 212-832-4545. Thank you for your patience.

Roosevelt Island Red Cross Emergency Citizen Preparedness Course Wednesday August 5 Sponsored By State Senator Jose Serrano & Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright

Roosevelt Island's NY State Senator Jose Serrano and NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright are co-sponsoring an emergency preparedness course with The American Red Cross.


According to Senator Serrano:
This training provides a comprehensive overview on how to prepare for natural and man-made disasters.
WHEN:
Wednesday. August 5
5:00 PM-6:00 PM

WHERE:
Roosevelt Island Seniors Association
546 Main Street
Roosevelt Island, NY 10044

For more information and to RSVP, please call Assembly Member Seawright's Office at (212) 288-4607.
More information from the American Red Cross on emergency preparedness for individuals



and people with disabilities.



Following the Red Cross Emergency Preparedness course, Senator Serrano will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting with NYC Public Advocate Letitia James from 6 - 8 PM at the Good Shepherd Community Center.

Frozen Saturday Night Summer Outdoor Movie At Roosevelt Island's Manhattan Park Lawn - Great View Of Manhattan East River Skyline Too

In addition to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) summer outdoor movies at Firefighters Field, Roosevelt Island has a second outdoor movie site at the Manhattan Park lawn.

The RIOC Summer Outdoor Movie series takes place at Firefighters Field next to the Tram. The next showing is A Streetcar Named Desire this Friday August 7 and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof on Saturday August 8.

Don't know schedule for next Manhattan Park outdoor movie.

UPDATE 12:30 PM - According to Manhattan Park representative, the upcoming outdoor movie schedule is:
Sat, August 15th- Guardians of the Galaxy 8:15 PM

Sat, Sept 12th- Finding Nemo 7:45 PM

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Take A Twitter Tour Of Roosevelt Island From Top To Bottom With NY Historical Tours And Eastern Consoldidated Real Estate

Last Thursday, July 30, NY Historical Tours visited Roosevelt Island. Eastern Consolidated Real Estate Investment Sales joined the Roosevelt Island tour and tweeted their journey from Lighthouse Park to FDR Four Freedoms Park and stops in between.