Thursday, January 4, 2018

Roosevelt Island Winter Snowstorm Emergency - Very Dangerous Outside, Trucks Will Be Plowing And Salting Roadways Day & Night, Remove Cars From Main Street Says RIOC

This morning, I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal and Public Safety Department Chief Jack McManus:
Rioc usually sends out advisories before snowstorms that no Main Street parking is allowed but available at Motorgate for free.

No such advisory was sent out for today’s snowstorm.

Why? Any statement from Rioc on matter?
This afternoon RIOC issued the following advisory:
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for our area on Thursday, January 4th, 2018, due to snow, forecasted temperatures, and/or wind chills.

Total snow accumulation is expected to be between 6-12 inches. Residents are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel. Please drive slowly, use major streets or highways, and keep the name and number of at least one local towing service in your vehicle. Pedestrians should avoid slippery surfaces, dress in layers, and maintain a heightened awareness of cars, especially when crossing intersections

Please be advised that, due to the Snow Emergency, there is “NO PARKING, NO STOPPING OR NO STANDING” on Main St. or the East and West Roadways from, Thursday, January 4th, 2018 at 5:00PM THRU Friday, January 5th, 2018 at 11:00PM, in order for snow removal to take place.

As an alternative, free parking will be available at the Motorgate Garage starting at 5PM, Thurs, Jan. 4th, 2018. Please note that free parking is only for residents of the island. Proof of residency and vehicle registration must be presented upon entering. Vehicle must be registered to a Roosevelt Island resident. Vehicles accommodated for snow emergency must be moved by 11PM on Fri, Jan. 5th, 2018 when Main Street reopens for parking. After that time, standard Motorgate parking fees will apply. Please contact the Motorgate Garage at (212) 832-4585 or visit the Motorgate offices on the fourth floor if you have any additional questions.

Trucks will be plowing and salting the roadways throughout the day and night in order to avert dangerous travel conditions. RIOC will be working to keep all areas clean for the duration of the storm. Expect delays in Red Bus and Tram service. Thank you for your cooperation while necessary preparations for the storm and subsequent snow removal are taking place.

To report any icy or other hazardous areas, please call the Public Safety Department at 212-832-4545 as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
 Roosevelt Island Main Street at 1:30 This Afternoon

A long time Roosevelt Island resident shares this message sent to RIOC President Rosenthal this morning:
... As a long-timer & veteran of many snowstorms & RIOC Administrations, I was surprised there was no Advisory yesterday requesting / requiring cars be moved off Main Street south of Manhattan Park & the East & West Channel Drives & offering free parking at Motorgate.

That always guarantees DSNY & RIOC curb-to-curb street & cross-walk cleaning for those folks who have to be out & for unfettered Island access by NYPD & FDNY to both ends of the Island.

I am surprised I received 3 RIOC Advisories on SportsPark & Good Shepherd & nothing yet about the Tram, Red Bus service or any plowing or pavement/sidewalk activity....
and Ms. Rosenthal's reply:
We decided within the last 45 minutes to require cars to be moved. Our staff knows what to do in this storm and I realized in the first few minutes of our emergency meeting at 591, that I'm really not needed! All those copied have their teams doing what needs to be done to protect our community. I'm so very proud of them!

... Jack was here at 5am with many staffers. The storm model was changing every hour. Moving cars off Main Street can be a major imposition to residents' work schedules and to the many disabled on our island. If we can avoid removing cars, it is preferable. I have been here, am in charge and am fully in the know.
PSD Chief McManus adds:
... there have been no less than 6 Dept of Sanitation visits to the Island. I saw the first one at 6:00 am and they have continued to plow and sand every 40 minutes give or take a minute. RIOC's Ground Department has been out since roughly 6:00 am as well.

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