Giant RI Monument Mock Up Returns To Roosevelt Island Saturday, February 3 For Viewing - What Do You Think, Unnecessary Obstruction To Panoramic Views Or Fun Welcome Landmark For Tourists?

The Giant RI monument 

 Image Of RI Mock Up Shown On September 26, 2017

proposed by Roosevelt Island Riverwalk developer and Main Street Master Retail Leaseholder Hudson Related is back again with another effort to obtain community approval for installation at the Tram Station Plaza.

According to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Informtion Officer Alonza Robertson:

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation is now soliciting public comments to gauge community support for the proposed 3-D, 10-foot-tall RI welcome-monument.

A prototype of the fire-engine red sign – one part of a three-part way finder project that will include directional signposts and vertical informational kiosks – will be on public display at Tram Plaza this Saturday, Feb. 3, from noon to 4 p.m. RIOC staff will be soliciting opinions from the public via comment cards that afternoon. Residents not able to attend can submit their opinions on the RI monument to comment@rioc.ny.gov.

The project is a joint venture between RIOC and Hudson Related Retail LLC, the company that also manages the Island’s commercial real estate holdings.

The proposed RI monument is reminiscent of the landmark LOVE and HOPE sculptures in Midtown Manhattan and the recently-installed OY/YO sculpture in Williamsburg which salutes Brooklyn’s Yiddish and hip-hop cultures.

Approval by the RIOC Real Estate Advisory Committee (REDAC) is required for the Giant RI Monument to be installed.. Hudson Related's David Kramer and his staff made a presentation seeking approval of the Giant RI Monument during the November 9 RIOC REDAC meeting. As previously reported:

... Following a presentation by Mr. Kramer and his staff in support of the Giant RI monument, RIOC's REDAC postponed any final decision in order to obtain views of the residents on the monument....

You can take a look at the Giant RI Monument tomorrow and give your views.

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) is opposed to the Giant RI Monument.

RIHS NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT TOMORROW! SIGN STRUCTURE IS NOT NEEDED

TOMORROW!
THE ROOSEVELT ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT.

TOMORROW, Saturday, February 3rd from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm, RIOC and The Hudson Companies are again trying to popularize the obstructing "RI" art-piece dubbed a "Welcome Monument" proposed for placement outside the RIHS Visitor Center Kiosk.

COME TO THE LAWN AREA OUTSIDE THE KIOSK AND VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION via comment cards distributed by RIOC staff.

Also, please send copies of the comments you make to RIOC to rooseveltislandhistory@gmail.com

VIA YOUR COMMENT CARD, TELL RIOC THIS STRUCTURE IS NOT NEEDED BECAUSE:

• The structure interferes with the panoramic view of the tram, the lawn, the landmark quality Visitor Center Kiosk and the city beyond.
• The structure serves no purpose other that to have 10 feet tall letters.
• The structure is a tempting object for kids to climb on.
• Roosevelt Island is a community not an amusement park attraction.
• People are already on Roosevelt Island: RIHS sees no reason to shout; people know they are here.

The community members of the RIOC Board all voted against this structure. You can vote NO as well.

IT'S TIME NOW TO TELL RIOC TO DENY HUDSON COMPANIES THEIR 10 TEN FOOT LETTERS.

IF THE HUDSON COMPANIES WANT THE STRUCTURE, LET HUDSON PLACE IT ON THEIR PROPERTY.

Roosevelt Island Historical Society Visitors Kiosk Image From Judy Berdy

RIHS President Judy Berdy adds:

Months ago, before the signage discussion David Kramer was asked to help us pay for better fencing around the RIHS Visitor Center Kiosk.

He agreed to pay for half the cost.

When told that the "RI" letter was a done deal Mr. Kramer agreed to pay for new signage for the kiosk as well as the full cost of the fencing.

When we learned that the "RI" was not approved by the board and that it was not a done deal, we expressed our opinion to Mr. Kramer that we did not support the "RI" sign.

Recently, he advised us that he is not funding any of our improvements to the kiosk.

Hudson Companies has not supported the RIHS, since being donors to our map project years ago.

We regret that commercial interests are more important than supporting a not-for-profit community group that welcomes over 50,000 visitors (and many prospective residents) yearly.

I asked Hudson Related's David Kramer:

I am preparing a story on the proposed Giant RI monument mock up sign to be displayed again at the Tram Station.

Is there anything you want to add about why you believe it should be placed at the Tram Station? Will you consider any location other than the Tram Station?

Also, RIHS President Judy Berdy reports that you withdrew your prior offer to pay the cost for better fencing around the Visitors Center Kiosk after Judy publicly opposed the Giant RI Monument.

Is that true. Any comment on this matter?

Hudson Related spokesperson Alex Kaplan replied:

We believe the Tram is the ideal and only real option for the RI monument.

In order to truly say “Welcome to Roosevelt Island” to the many visitors coming daily, we want the monument to be in a heavily trafficked and highly visible area that serves as a great photo opp spot.

We think it will provide a fun landmark that says Roosevelt Island is a destination worth visiting (and not just turning around to take a return trip on the tram). Ultimately the decision will be made by the Board. 

Here's the discussion from the November 9 REDAC meeting.

Part 1- Presentation by Hudson Related David Kramer and staff.



Part 2 - RIHS President Judy Berdy expresses her opposition to the RI Monument.



Part 3 - RIOC Director David Kraut says residents have different needs than tourists. Committee decided to get more feedback from community.



More from previous posts here and here.