Friday, June 7, 2019

SPECTACULAR NYC Skyline Sunset Views This Evening From Roosevelt Island Rooftop And East River Waterfront Promenade Pier - The Colors Were AMAZINNG

What a sunset tonight from Roosevelt Island. The Colors were spectacular.



Click on full screen icon at bottom right for best view.

Views from the Roosevelt Island


East River waterfront pier 


were pretty spectacular too.

Roosevelt Island Shaken And Frightened By Very Loud BOOM Noise This Afternoon - What Was That?

About 3:30 this afternoon, a very, very loud BOOM was heard in the Southtown Riverwalk Commons area of Roosevelt Island. Customers and workers from Starbucks, Jupioca, Nisi, Fuji East and people walking by at the time were shaken and frightened by the sound and looking towards the Queens side of the East River wondering what happened.

The Boom noise was less than a second and did not re-occur calming everyone.

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department Deputy Chief Kevin Brown explains the cause of the BOOM:

There was a loud noise in Riverwalk 8 construction site. The cause of the loud noise was a puncture in the tire of a work truck. There were no injuries or damage to any person or property. Construction site is operating under normal condition.

More on Riverwalk Building 8 construction at prior post.

Roosevelt Island Day Saturday June 8, Come Enjoy All The Great Activities - Community Beautification, Games, Amusement, Food, Music, Green Giveaways, Petting Zoo, Paper Shred A Thon, Donate Blood, Gardening, Composting, Recycle Batteries, Crayon Initiative & Much More

Come enjoy all the activities tomorrow at our Annual Roosevelt Island Day. There is so much to do. According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Roosevelt Island Day is this Saturday, June 8th! Island beautification, games, amusements, petting zoo, giveaways, food, music & more!

Starting at 9 AM on Sat., June 8th, Big Reuse, GRIN, iDig2Learn & RI Garden Club will lead volunteers in a variety of planting and composting activities. Volunteers who complete a shift, will receive a free Roosevelt Island Day bag. To register go to: signup.com/go/fMemOPT

Anyone dropping off batteries or food scraps for the Big Reuse compost program, which will have collection bins on Good Shepherd Plaza during RI Day, will also receive a free bag.

This day of island celebration includes a blood drive, informational tables, food, music, free games, face-painting, giveaways, carnival rides, a petting zoo, pony-rides, and an evening plaza concert performance by La Sonora Nuyorkina, a 10-piece Salsa, Merengue, Bachata band!
Donate to the Roosevelt Island Day Blood Drive at the Senior Center (548 Main Street).
iDig2Learn Founder Christina Delfico adds:
SATURDAY JUNE 8th ROOSEVELT ISLAND DAY

Grab your sensitive papers and head to the shred truck for secure disposal this Saturday (10am - 1PM) at Motorgate sponsored by the Assembly Member Seawright, Senator Serrano and Upper Green Side.

It's all part of keeping Roosevelt Island clean and green.

The farmers market will be under the helix but the food scrap drop off remains at Good Shepherd plaza.


To Celebrate Roosevelt Island's Nature all ages are invited to Roosevelt Island Day to plant flowers with the Garden Club in the empty tree pits near Blackwell house starting at 9am.

Bring a clean container because Big Reuse Compost will be given back to the community with Anthony Longo just in time for the growing season and indoor houseplants.

At Good Shepherd stop by the iDig2Learn table for a chance to win a free stylish kitchen-countertop compost bin! Please bring your used batteries to recycle and and drop off your broken crayons as iDig2Learn partners with the Crayon Initiative which melts them into new crayons for children in hospitals. Beautify the island and learn about eco-friendly habits like how to compost and drop your food scraps weekly. Also stop by and check out the Roosevelt Island Green Map


of free resources like the Duane Reade Safe Medication Disposal box and plastic bag collection bin, play the Compost YES or NO game, and visit all the island groups for more fun and to learn how to keep Roosevelt Island Clean and Green!

Congratulations to islanders, over 100,000 pounds of food scraps have been dropped since 2015 with our partner NYC Compost Project Hosted by Big Reuse and transformed into healthy compost to amend our soil, keeping food scraps out of landfill. See you on Saturday June 8th from 9am to 2pm. What a great way to show #EarthLove
Here are some scenes from 2018



Roosevelt Island Day.

Sign up here to help beautify Roosevelt Island.

Have fun!!!!!

Roosevelt Island Transportation This Weekend - F Train Service To And From Manhattan, Both Tram Cabins Working And East River Ferry Service For 7th Weekend In A Row,



Good news, for the seventh week in a row, Roosevelt Island residents will have weekend F Trains running to and from Manhattan, both Tram Cabins operating and East River Astoria Route Ferry service.

Here's the new NYC Ferry 2019 Ferry Summer Schedule. 

Sponsored Post - Check Out Roosevelt Island Gristedes June 14 To June 20 Product Offerings, Specials & Sales Items - Free Delivery With $75 Or More Order

The Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket


invites you to check out their June 14 - June 20 Product Offerings, Specials & Sales items.

Don't forget the 10% Roosevelt Island Seniors Discount on Tuesday and Sign Up for the Gristedes Diamond Loyalty Rewards Program.

More Gristedes Supermarket information


available at their


 web site, Facebook Page and Twitter feed

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Roosevelt Island Real Estate Development Update From Hudson Related - Riverwalk Building 8 Construction Status & 341 Unit Affordable Housing Marketing Plan - Also, 28 Story Market Rental Riverwalk 9 Has New Recreational/Passive Open Space Commons Area And New RIOC 7 Thousand Square Foot HQ Offices

The web site of Roosevelt Island Southtown real estate developer Hudson Companies reports:

Riverwalk 8 is the eighth building completed by Hudson and the Related Companies in the Riverwalk neighborhood. The building’s 341 units are available exclusively to low-income, middle, and moderate income households ranging from 40 to 165% of AMI. The building contains a fitness center, yoga studio, children’s playroom, bike storage, party lounge, game room, library, and a 24-hour attended lobby.
Riverwalk 8 is currently under construction.


The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Development Advisory Committee met May 29 to receive a status update from Hudson Related Southtown Riverwalk Buildings 8 & 9 Developer David Kramer and colleague Jamar Adams.

According to Mr. Kramer, construction of the 21 story Riverwalk 8 is on schedule with expected completion in 4th quarter of 2020. Currently, 1 floor is being done every 3 days and topping out is planned for July.

As previously disclosed, Riverwalk Building 8 will have a 50% community preference for the affordable housing lottery. The preference is for residents residing in Community Board 8 which includes Roosevelt Island and the Upper East Side. Efforts to have the community preference limited to Roosevelt Island residents only has so far been unsuccessful, although both Mr. Kramer and RIOC have said they would love to do it if allowed by their financing agreements.

Building 8 will also include mobility impairment and municipal employees lottery preferences.

Hudson Related will begin Building 8 marketing efforts starting this summer with a web site that will show unit types, area medium income ranges and projected rents.

In late spring/summer 2020 Hudson Related will begin local media advertising, distribute flyers and conduct informational seminars on how to apply for the affordable housing units using NYC Housing Connects. 4 months prior to the expected start of unit leasing, the Housing Connects lottery will commence. Leasing is expected to begin in December 2020/January 2021.

Building 8 will offer same services amenities as other Riverwalk building except there will be no outdoor rooftop deck.

Following the Riverwalk 8 discussion, Mr Kramer reported that the 28 story Riverwalk Building 9 will be similar to Riverwalk 7, a market rate rental.  Mr Kramer noted that Hudson Related intends to sell the base of the building to an East Side medical institution for staff housing and retain the balance of floors for rental units with 7 thousand sq ft for a new RIOC office space HQ (4000 on ground floor, 3000 in lower level).

Mr Kramer informed the RIOC Real Estate Committee that previous Hudson Related Roosevelt Island Riverwalk buildings sold their base as a condo but cannot do that any longer on a new Roosevelt Island project because NY State Law restricts condo use if there is less than 50 years remaining on the ground lease. Roosevelt Island ground lease expires in 2069. Mr Kramer is seeking some other type of legal structure, co-op or Master Lease for instance, to be able to sell off the base of Riverwalk 9.

Hudson Related hopes to close the deal for Riverwalk 9 by the end of 2019 and begin construction soon therafter which will mean a 1 year overlap of Rivrwalk Building 8 and 9 construction.

Mr Kramer added that the Commons Area between Riverwalk Buildings 8&9 will be:
... Chock full of recreational and passive open space...
with hammocks, bocce ball courts, small dog play area, seating and ping pong which will be maintained and administered by RIOC.

According to this excerpt from December 26, 2018 Open Area Agreement between RIOC and Hudson Related:
.... improvements to an outdoor area located in between the sites for Buildings 8 and 9, as shown as the cross-hatched area on the diagram attached hereto as Exhibit A (such area being referred to as the "Outdoor Area").
The Outdoor Area will be constructed by the Building 9 Tenant at its own cost and expense, in accordance with plans approved by RIOC, with a budget for such work to be reasonably approved by both RIOC and Developer. The Outdoor Area, to be referred to as "Commons East", will be improved with a mixture of active and passive uses, including lawns, landscaped areas, climbing structures, ping-pong tables, hammock areas, porch swings, lounge decks, picnic areas, paved pathways, bench seating, and shrub and tree plantings, with adequate outdoor lighting and trash receptacles. Landscaped areas will be graded, and grassy areas will be seeded. The Outdoor Area will have a drainage system capable of draining all storm water runoff from the site. Construction of the Outdoor Area will be performed in accordance with the terms of the Building 9 Lease.

The Outdoor Area will be open to the public, and will not be restricted to the use of residents of Buildings 8 and 9 only. RIOC will not provide any utility service to the Outdoor Area and makes no representation as to availability of utility service to the Outdoor Area. The Building 9 Tenant will, at its expense, arrange to provide electric service to the Outdoor Area directly with the public utilities providing such service. RIOC will deliver the Outdoor Area to Tenant vacant and in its then "as is" condition, and will not be obligated to make any representations or warranties of any kind with respect to the condition of the Outdoor Area, including, without limitation, any subterranean conditions.
Here's video of the full RIOC Real Estate Committee discussion with Hudson Related about Riverwalk buildings 8&9.

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Coler Hospital Patients Annual Spring Art Show Thursday June 6 Thru Sunday June 9

The annual NYC Health & Hospitals Corp Roosevelt Island Coler Hospital Patients Spring Art Show is taking place Thursday June 6 thru Sunday June 9.


You're invited to attend.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 2-4 p.m. Thursday to Sunday (no afternoon hours on Saturday). Coler is located on the northern tip of Roosevelt Island at 900 Main Street.

Judy Berdy shares these photos from today's opening reception for Coler Hospital's Exploring the Arts.


The art show is sponsored by Coler's Therapeutic Recreation Services and the Angelica Program.

According to Angelica:
Angelica is proud to support the art studios at Coler Hospital and Carter Hospital. We pay for instructors who teach weekly classes and bring in visiting instructors, purchase professional-grade materials, and sponsor trips to museums and galleries for the resident artists....
Here's video from a 2017 Coler Art Show.

Sponsored Post - Get Your Tickets For Beauty And The Beast Classic Fairytale Performed By Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance Children's Theatre Friday June 7 - Monday June 10

The Roosevelt Island Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance Children's Theatre is presenting Beauty And The Beast


 this coming weekend Friday June 7 - Monday June 10. Your'e invited!


According to the MST&DA:
We invite you to enjoy the Award-winning animated film and stage play that comes to life in this romantic and beloved take on the classic fairytale performed by !!!THREE TALENTED CASTS!!! of young actors from our Children's Theatre Program.

Directed and Music Directed by Kimbirdlee (MST&DA Assistant Exec Dir) and Jonathan Fadner, Assistant Director Josh Shapiro, Choreographer Joshua Israel

Based on the original Broadway production that ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, and the Academy Award-winning motion picture, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. is a fantastic adaptation of the story of transformation and tolerance. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. features some of the most popular songs ever written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice.

The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
Performances are:
  • Friday, June 7 @ 7pm
  • Saturday, June 8 @ 2 & 7pm
  • Sunday, June 9 @ 2 & 6pm
  • Monday, June 10 @ 7pm
  • Recommended for ages 4+
Tickets:
  • General Admission $20
  • Students/Seniors $15
  • Mat seats for $5 (ages 4-7) are available at the box office ONLY one hour before the show. Quantity is limited so be sure to arrive early to purchase these tickets.
* ALL TICKETS ARE HELD AT THE BOX OFFICE FOR PICK UP. BOX OFFICE OPENS ONE HOUR BEFORE SHOW START TIME.

Get your tickets to MST&DA Children's Theatre presentation of Beauty And The Beast.

Here's how you get to MST&DA at 548 Main Street.





Get your tickets to MST&DA Children's Theatre presentation of Beauty And The Beast.

Bird's Eye View Of Roosevelt Island Frisbee Football At Firefighters Field - Touchdown

Frisbee Football being played last night at Firefighers Field.



Click full screen icon at bottom right of page for better view.

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Roosevelt Island Figment NYC Participatory Art Project A Huge Success - Great Job By RIOC, Public Safety Department, NYC Emergency Management, NYPD, MTA And Other NYC, NYS Agencies Keeping Everyone Safe And Transportatioin Working

The June 1-2 Figment NYC this past weekend was a great success. (Check out these scenes). I've heard many residents, some even who were quite worried about a repeat of the April 13 Cherry Blossom Festival overcrowding disaster, praise the Figment NYC event and compliment organizers on how well run it was.

Kudos to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) for their event preparation and bringing in the NYC Emergency Management Department (NYCEM) to coordinate, among various NYC and NYS agencies, a safety and transportation plan for the event, as well as the Figment NYC folks who brought at least 100 volunteers.

During the entire Figment NYC weekend, NYCEM stationed a Communication Command Center on Main Street. 


NYPD 114 Precinct officers were stationed at the subway and throughout Roosevelt Island


together with RIOC Public Safety Department Officers.


and NYC Health & Hospitals Corp police.

NYCEM Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers helped visitors find their way to Lighthouse Park and directed traffic by the subway.


Water and Food stations were plentiful and staffed by cheerful local residents, some in costume.


Don't have exact numbers for the Roosevelt Island Figment NYC experience yet, but I'm told there was not more than approximately 6500 people for the entirety of either day. A very manageable number for Roosevelt Island to handle, unlike the 35 -40 thousand people at the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Good job by RIOC and all the other agencies - Thank you.

Several skeptics of Figment NYC on Roosevelt Island told me they hope Figment come back next year.

Click here for reports, videos and photos of Roosevelt Island's Figment NYC festival.

SPONSORED POST - You're Invited To The Cafe @Cornell Tech Roosevelt Island Summer Outdoor Grilling Every Wednesday 2-5 PM - Come For The Tasty Meals Paired With The Perfect Beer And Great East River Waterfront Views, June 5, Grilled Chorizo Sausage & Belgium Cerveza

The Roosevelt Island Cafe @Cornell Tech is welcoming summer with weekly outdoor grilling hours every Wednesday.

According to the Cafe @Cornell Tech:



THE CAFE

HAPPY GRILLING HOUR

EVERY WEDNESDAY

FROM 2PM - 5PM

SUMMER IS COMING! COME CHECK OUT THE OUTDOOR GRILLING STATION MANNED BY THE CONSTELLATION CULINARY TEAM. CREATIVE & DELICIOUS MEALS PAIRED W/ THE PERFECT BEER!

The Wednesday June 5 Outdoor Grilling Menu is Grilled Chorizo Sausage on French Roll and Aqua Fresca Cerveza - New Belgium

Choripan - $7
New Belgium Cerveza - $5
Beer & Choripan - $10
Come enjoy Wednesday afternoon outdoor grilling and a beer, or two,


with the folks from Cafe @Cornell Tech Constellation Culinary Team on the spacious Roosevelt Island campus patio


and enjoy the gorgeous East River waterfront views.

Also, check out the weekly Cafe @Cornell Tech Monday -Friday menus.

Outdoor Grilling is weather dependent and will be cancelled if raining at time.

The May 29 outdoor grill was cancelled due to the weather so same menu will be served June 5.

UPDATE 6/6 - The outdoor grill was postponed yesterday, June 5, but will take place today, June 6 from 2 to 5 PM.

Free Gardening Lessons For 3rd Thru 9th Graders Offered By The Roosevelt Island Garden Club - Thursday & Sundays June 6th to June 23, Pre Register Now To Attend

An invitation from the Roosevelt Island Garden Club (RIGC)


to 3rd through 9th graders

2018 Image From RIOC

interested in gardening:
Calling interested 3rd to 9th graders who want to experience gardening. RIGC is offering free classes on Thursdays and Sundays from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. from June 6th through June 23rd.

Everyone needs to pre-register by emailing rigardencluboutreach@gmail.com because there are required permission/liability forms and class sizes are limited. You may choose to attend one session or all sessions based on availability.
More info about RIGC at their web site.

NY1 Meteorologist Stacy-Ann Gooden Rides Roosevelt Island Tram For First Time, Get Local History Lesson From RIHS President Judy Berdy & Meets An Old Friend Too - Also Gives Today's Weather

NY 1 Meteorologist Stacy-Ann Gooden rode the Tram for first time


recently, then visited Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy for a local history lesson.


She meets and old friend too, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Chief Operating Officer Shelton Haynes.

And here's today's weather from NY 1's Stacy-Ann Gooden.

iDig2Learn suggests more Roosevelt Island stories for NY1's Ms Gooden to cover.

UPDATE 12:00 PM More from NY1:

Monday, June 3, 2019

You're Invited To Music Is All Inclusive Free Roosevelt Island Concert Of Young RI Musicans With Carter Burden Senior Center June 4 At Good Shepherd- A Farewell Celebration For Ms Shuang Presented By RIRA, RIDA & RIOC

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) and the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association are presenting a free concert on June 4 at Good Shepherd (543 Main Street. According to the RIRA Flyer:

MUSIC IS ALL INCLUSIVE

A Farewell Concert for Ms. Shuang

A Musicute Concert of Young Island Musicians

In collaboration with the Carter Burden Network

A Free Concert, Everyone is Invited

June 4 6:30 - 8 PM at the Good Shepherd Church (543 Main Street)

Here video from last year's Music Is All Inclusive concert.