Figment NYC Free Participatory Public Art Project Coming To Roosevelt Island Lighthouse Park And Other RI Locations June 1 & 2 - RIOC Town Hall With NYC Emergency Management, NYPD, PSD Reviews Safety & Transportation Preparations And Answers Residents Questions

Gothamist reported on the June 1 & 2 Figment NYC event at Lighthouse Park and other Roosevelt Island locations:

It's time again for one of the city's largest participatory art events: Figment NYC, two days of interactive games and installations designed to encourage playfulness, creativity, experimentation, and exploration. This year the fest takes place on Roosevelt Island, and more than 120 artists will participate in making it happen. Just a taste of the weekend's delights: a mini-golf course designed by sixth-graders and inspired by fairy tales, theatrical pieces inside tiny boxes, participatory art-making from the Museum of Makeup Art, a costume station aboard a pirate ship, a giant unicorn art bike that powers its own light and sound system, a whimsical wheeled sailboat, a garden of wind chimes, a laser harp that plays sound based on live satellite data, and much, much more.

 Image From Figment NYC

A Roosevelt Island Mom asked yesterday:

... We are trying to get a feeling if it will be another Cherry Blossom disaster this weekend, since we are planning our daughter's birthday party for Sunday afternoon and families are invited from Manhattan and Queens....

I answered that the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) seems better prepared by working with NYPD 114 Precinct, NYC Emergency Management Department, MTA F Train Station Manager and Figment NYC organizers to better handle the June 1 &2 Figment NYC Participatory Public Art event than it was for Cherry Blossom Festival. And added:

None of them think the visitors will be as many as Cherry Blossom Festival.

But there is no way of knowing for sure.

It’s a risk having people come on Sunday for the party but no way to know for sure.

Sorry I can’t give you a more definite answer.

Estimates of visitors for the April 13 Cherry Blossom Festival ranged from 35 - 40 thousand people overwhelming Roosevelt Island that day with long lines and huge delays at the Tram, Subway, Ferry and RI Bridge. Also, many complaints about lack of bathrooms, food and water at the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Figment NYC organizers and RIOC do not expect anywhere close to that number of people for the Roosevelt Island event. Last year's Figment NYC on Governors Island drew no more than 12 thousand people. Learning from the mistakes of Cherry Blossom Festival, those wishing to attend Figment NYC at Lighthouse Park are being encouraged to sign up online for free tickets. As of today, 2619 tickets have been obtained.

RIOC held a Town Hall meeting on May 23 to inform concerned residents about plans for the June 1&2 Figment event and to reassure residents that there would not be a repeat of the Cherry Blossom Festival Disaster. According to RIOC Press Release:

On Thursday, May 23rd, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) held a Town Hall with representatives from NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM), the NYPD, and Figment to review preparations and take questions from the public regarding the upcoming Figment NYC festival, to be held June 1-2 on Roosevelt Island.

Leading up to the Town Hall, RIOC met at NYCEM headquarters with Commissioner Esposito and representatives of NYPD, NYCEM, FDNY, MTA, DOT, NYCHHC, NYC Transit Police, NYS Homeland Security, Hornblower, and EDC. NYCEM committed to bringing all necessary parties together to create a safety/security/transportation plan, using Figment NYC as a test for large events on Roosevelt Island.

“I would like to thank Commissioner Esposito, as well as the variety of city and state agencies that came together for us in preparing for this event. RIOC is very appreciative to have such expert guidance moving forward, to ensure the safety and comfort of our island residents and visitors.” said Susan Rosenthal, RIOC President & CEO.

During the Figment festival, NYCEM will station a Command Center on Main Street during the festival for communication among PSD, MTA, NYPD, NYCHHC, and NYCEM.

Throughout both days of the festival our Public Safety Department (PSD) and other RIOC departments will be on hand to assist event organizers, visitors, and residents.

The 114th precinct will have police details on island, including over 25 officers managing crowd and traffic control. The NYC Transit Police have assigned 19 officers dedicated to managing crowds at the subway. The MTA will also have mechanics on site to ensure that the elevator and escalators work properly at our subway station. PSD will also have 30 officers and 10 private security dedicated to Figment.

Residents are encouraged to review the following pertinent event details:

• Vehicular access for residents: Please be sure to have ID and proof of address for faster island access.
• Motorgate Garage: Motorgate is providing entry placards for monthly customers.
• Taxis/car services: Will be allowed on island for drop-off/pick-up.
•  F train subway service: Anticipated to be running at full service, on a weekday schedule.
• NYC Ferry: Plans to deploy larger, 300 passenger capacity ferries to RI on Figment event days.
• Red Bus service: Will be running on a weekday rush hour schedule.
• RIDA bus: RIDA will be running an event bus for disabled attendees, details TBC.
• Water fill stations: Will be located in Lighthouse Park. Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring their own water bottles to this event.
• Food: All island food locations have been notified of the festival and instructed to ‘stock up’. Food trucks will be positioned outside of Lighthouse Park and by the subway station.
• Bathrooms: Portable toilets will be placed at the Tram, Motorgate, Meditation Steps, Coler Hospital parking lot, and Lighthouse Park entrance. In addition our Lighthouse Park and Octagon comfort stations will be available.
• Event locations: Figment festival activities will be throughout Roosevelt Island, primarily in Lighthouse Park, with additional installs at the Motorgate Atrium, Manhattan Park, and throughout the West Promenade from Eleanor’s Pier north to Lighthouse Park.
• Event entry: Please use the West Promenade entrance to Lighthouse Park.
• Ticketing: Please be sure to reserve an event ticket, which will be checked at Lighthouse Park. For tickets, go to newyork.figmentproject.org/figment_weekend_rsvp.

Up to the event, RIOC will continue to meet with the Figment producers and confer with the NYPD and NYCEM to ensure that the festival runs smoothly.

The Figment Festival will take place on June 1st and 2nd primarily in Lighthouse Park, with smaller exhibits positioned at other locations on the island. Figment’s vision for art looks past the white-walled galleries and into the realm of participation. Figment NYC was held on Governor’s Island for 12 years and this will be its first year on Roosevelt Island. This will be Figment’s 70th festival, with events having been held in 20 cities and five countries. For more info visit newyork.figmentproject.org.

After the Town Hall meeting, RIOC President Susan Rosenthal told me 30 portable toilets will be added for Figment NYC and that in the event there is significant overcrowding at Roosevelt Island Tram, one cabin will be reserved for residents and workers only and the other for visitors.

Here's video of the May 23 Town Hall.

Part 1 - RIOC President Susan Rosenthal introduces participants at Town Hall and provides overview of plans.



Part 2 - RIOC Public Safety Department Chief Jack McManus describes safety plans and working with NYC Emergency Management Dept and others



Part 3 - RIOC Parks & Recreation Director Mary Cunnen provides overview of Figment NYC events



Part 4 - RIOC PDS Deputy Director Kevin Brown describes lessons learned from Cherry Blossom Transportation disaster and safety plans for Figment NYC



Part 5 - Residents ask questions about:

• adding portable bathrooms, 
• location of Figment Sites, 
• vehicle traffic, 
• preventing damage to gardens

Part 6 - More resident questions about

• adding garbage cans, 
• security for buildings that don't have concierges (Roosevelt Landings had people trying to get into building to use restrooms during Cherry Blossom Festival), 
• will residents be able to get on and off the Island in a reasonable amount of time due to increased traffic,

Part 7 - More Resident questions:

1. Will Taxis be allowed on RI?
2. Will CERT Members be used for crowd control?
3. Why do we need such large crowd events on Roosevelt Island which bring down the quality of life for residents trying to have a normal Saturday with their families?

Part 8 - More Resident questions and comments:

• Parking at Motorgate, Octagon garages and other locations,
• Welcome events that bring art to Roosevelt Island
• Promotional and marketing strategies for event

and finally Part 9. (brief portion between Part 8 and 9 cut off):

• Social Media practices 
• Free online tickets

Let's hope everyone has a good time with minimal disruption to Roosevelt Island quality of life.

UPDATE 5:45 PM- From RIOC:

Here is some important information for our residents regarding the FIGMENT Festival, to be held on Saturday, June 1st and Sunday, June 2nd. Since we are expecting a number of visitors to the island this weekend, please allow for extra time to get where you need to go.

FIGMENT Details

If you plan on attending the event, please visit the FIGMENT website and get your ticket by clicking here: eventbrite.com/e/figment-nyc-2019-tickets-61309756131. Portable toilets and water stations will be located at various locations throughout the island. Please note this is not a RIOC event. There will be FIGMENT volunteers throughout the island to direct attendees. For more event info visit newyork.figmentproject.org/

FIGMENT is also a zero-waste event. All visitors and residents of the island are encouraged to carry in and carry out their items to keep Roosevelt Island clean and green. Please bring your reusable water bottles and bags to reduce plastic waste.

Proof of Residency

Due to the anticipated increase in visitors to the island during the event, all residents should carry proof of residency with them to ensure easy access to and from home and to and from the island. Proof of Residency can be a driver’s license featuring your Roosevelt Island address, a resident identification card from your building or a bill with your Roosevelt Island address. This will allow you to gain easy access to your building and to the island in the case of overcrowding during the festival.

Tram and Bus Transportation

The Tram will run on a regular weekday schedule throughout the event. Red Bus service will also operate on a weekday rush hour schedule, though some delays may occur due to crowding along parts of the route.

The Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) bus will be stationed at Good Shepherd Plaza for disabled individuals who want a direct ride to Lighthouse Park. The RIDA bus will also stop at all Red Bus stops. Anyone requiring RIDA transportation may also contact the Public Safety Department at 212-832-4545.

For information on F train subway and Q102 bus service, please go to mta.info. For information on NYC Ferry service to Roosevelt Island please visit ferry.nyc.

Motorgate

All monthly Motorgate parking registrants should pick up a placard from the Motorgate office located on the 4th floor. Be sure to bring your garage card for pick-up. Displaying this placard on your vehicle’s dashboard will allow monthly parkers to access Motorgate parking during the event. Please note that vehicle information must match the information on the Motorgate placard. Remember, in case of crowds, residents may be asked to provide proof of residency in order to be allowed over the bridge as they return to the island.

Trespassers

If residents find any non-residents/trespassers in their building during the event, please contact the Public Safety Department at 212-832-4545.

UPDATE 5/31 - A NY Times reporter was at the Town Hall and reports:

... Figment NYC, a free, participatory public arts festival that was held on Governors Island for 12 years, moves to Roosevelt Island on Saturday and Sunday for the first time. And the Roosevelt Islanders have mixed feelings. In April, the island’s annual cherry blossom festival attracted more visitors than ever before — around 30,000 people compared with around 1,000 last year. Blame it on social media, lovely weather, and an overwhelming desire to take a selfie with a blooming cherry tree....

"Art Festival Is Welcome, but Not the Huge Crowds" by HELENE STAPINSKI via NYT https://t.co/3gVEBS1oAq pic.twitter.com/ixFvInLy17

— News & Arts™ (@newslarts) May 31, 2019