RIOC President Susan Rosenthal Reports On Roosevelt Island Infrastructure Projects - Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration Moving Forward, Tram Station Elevator Construction Begins Again, More Green Space For Lighthouse Park Expansion, No Soccer Field & More

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal provided updates on various Roosevelt Island infrastructure projects during the January 30 RIOC Board of Directors meeting including the Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration

Images from RIOC

and construction of the new Manhattan Tram Station elevators.

Ms Rosenthal reported that all approvals for Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration Project have been obtained, and RIOC:

... is very excited about that and we're moving forward on it and we'll be  coming to the Board regarding construction in the near future.

Some residents object to the Southpoint Seawall Restoration plan because:



Ms Rosenthal also reported

• Blackwell House work is done - waiting for approvals from various NYC agencies.
• Youth Center work is done but following floods from Roosevelt Landings and NYPL construction site, RIOC dealing with insurance companies and remediation.
• Lighthouse Expansion Project was started because some asked for more soccer field space but RIOC discovered community wants green space, more bbq'a, fantastic playground equipment and parkland, not soccer field.
• Sportspark RFP in next month for pool area, new HVAC, locker rooms, bathrooms and filtration system to get rid of chlorine smell
• New Tram Elevators under construction and plan is for it to be completed this year.

Here's video of Ms Rosenthal's report to the RIOC Board.



UPDATE 3 PM - Wildlife Freedom Foundation President and Roosevelt Island resident Rossana Ceruzzi responds to RIOC's proposed Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration Project:

The ecosystems will be completely destroyed if the proposed development plan for Southpoint Park by RIOC is implemented. Southpoint shorelines are a rare natural space within a city of staggering human density.

The Park’s design was the result of a Master plan completed in 2004 by the non profit Trust for Public Land (TPL). The product of considerable study and public participation, TPL’s plan called for the creation of a natural, open green space.

Southpoint shorelines have to be defined as a crucial habitat and part of a vital migration corridor, the Atlantic Flyway, for many wild bird species that either live or spend time in Roosevelt Island. Most of them play a very important role in protecting human health by keeping mosquitoes and rodents under control.

It will be the complete annihilation of flora and fauna that include wildlife; there are approx 470 species of wild birds in NYC and most of them inhabit Roosevelt Island. 90% of bird species rely on insects as food. Pollinators are essential, the vital services they provide are already at high risk. Our fascinating small and large mammals: Eastern Gray squirrel and Virginia opossum, brown bats raccoons to mention some.

Our ecosystem, flora, fauna will be forever lost for the current and future generations if the proposed plan by RIOC is implemented.

Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration Project

UPDATE 2/1 - Roosevelt Island resident Keren Bachi adds:

In response to RIOC plan for Southpoint ”shoreline restoration”

Southpoint East and West shorelines are a rare natural space to treasure for the current and future generations to come, to preserve and cherish, not to destroy.

Throughout the world everyone is doing a little or a lot to re-create green spaces that had disappeared due to irresponsible decision makers. RIOC is sending a horrible message to us and our children!

The Southpoint Park’s design was the result of a Master plan by the Trust for Public Land. The result of considerable study and community participation, the creation of a natural, open green space.

Southpoint park with its wild shoreline is a Migration corridor, the Atlantic Flyway, for thousands of gorgeous wild birds that either live or rest for a while on RI.

Time is short for the most vulnerable of the world’s: wild birds and mammals. Thousands of populations are already gone Extinct!

And how about the pollinators who live there and statistically already at high risk. Nature is not just something beautiful. Nature is our life support system. The largest cause of wildlife losses is the destruction of natural habitats.

Should the RIOC’ destructive plan for Southpoint be implemented it would be yet another humanity’s massive assault on nature. We cannot let this happen!

The October 7, 2019 RIOC Real Estate Development Advisory Committee received a presentation on the Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration Project. It began with an introduction by RIOC VP of Capital Planning & Projects Jonna Carmona-Graff and presentation by project consultants from Langan Engineering followed by Q&A with RIOC Board Members and Roosevelt Island residents.

Here video of the presentation.

Part 1.



Part 2.



Update 2/3 - Today, I asked RIOC President Susan Rosenthal:

When does RIOC anticipate construction to begin on the Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration Project that Susan spoke about briefly during her President's Report to the January 30 RIOC Board meeting?

Are there any changes to the plan that were described in the October 7, 2019 REDAC meeting?

There is growing opposition to the plan by some in the Roosevelt Island community who assert that the proposed Shoreline Restoration plan will destroy it's natural wildlife habitat for flora and fauna.

... Does RIOC have any comment on this matter.

RIOC Public Information Officer Terrence McCauley replied:

We just posted something on this on our website this afternoon. All of their concerns were already addressed in the plan. The project is being reviewed by a number of state entities, including the Army Corps of Engineers. The plan is designed to give our residents more access to the shoreline while protecting those that call the shoreline home.

RIOC President Rosenthal added:

We’ll have a more detailed response to these concerns in the days ahead.

According to the RIOC web site:

If all goes according to schedule, the long-awaited Southpoint Park improvements will begin in Summer 2020. Plans for improving the shorelines along the east and west of Southpoint Park first began all the way back in 2005, when The Trust for Public Land finalized a master plan for developing the long-vacant site at the southern end of Roosevelt Island. That plan led not only to the ultimate creation of Southpoint Park, but to FDR Four Freedoms State Park as well in 2012.

In April 2017, the Community Plan for Southpoint Open Space Park was prepared for RIOC by Fitzgerald and Halliday. The plan was formed after an intense effort to get as much public input as possible. This included asking people for their opinions at public events as well as visioning sessions where facilitators were able to listen to specific ideas in greater detail from Roosevelt Island residents. The sessions concluded that three things were important to Roosevelt Islanders about the project.

1. It must provide access to the shoreline and create comfortable spaces from which to enjoy scenic views.
2. It must maintain a natural setting that encourages wildlife.
3. It must celebrate Southpoint’s natural topography and incorporate hills into the overall park design.

We believe that our plan, which is undergoing a variety of approvals including an extensive review by the Army Corps of Engineers, will surpass the wishes expressed by our residents and shareholders. We have not just heard you. We have incorporated your wishes into our design from the very beginning. We will create an environment that is not only safe for the wildlife that call Roosevelt Island their home, but for everyone.

Please take a look for yourself by viewing the latest presentation given to the RIOC Board of Directors.

UPDATE 2/6 RIOC adds:

RIOC is committed to preserving our native wildlife on our island, particularly at Southpoint Park. So are the other federal and state agencies that are responsible for issuing the permits that allow this project to take place. That is why we hired Langan to design a project that would improve conditions in the park for all the species that call Roosevelt Island home.

But it is important for everyone to remember that this project is not just about a riverfront pathway. The Southpoint Park seawall is failing and in dire need of immediate repair. Furthermore, the soil between the shoreline and the steel fence is heavily contaminated and must be remediated once the seawall repair work begins. This is according to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) regulations. These two conditions must be addressed over the next year, meaning the area along the east and west shorelines of Southpoint Park will be disturbed anyway. Please note that work will not take place until after spawning season is over in July.

RIOC, in cooperation with our various state/federal partners at NYS DEC, FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers, has decided to take this opportunity to improve both the natural habitat and pedestrian access to our Island’s beautiful riverfront. Remember, better waterfront access is a high priority for both New York City and New York State. The design featured in the Langan presentation will not permanently remove natural habitat. Nothing is being paved over. If anything, it will be better than before.

Once the project is completed next year, Southpoint’s decaying infrastructure will be repaired and the soil that is harmful to our beloved wildlife will have been removed. The result will be a safer, cleaner place where our fish can swim, our birds can nest, and families can walk safely while enjoying incredible views of Manhattan. To view the presentation for yourself, please click here.

UPDATE 2/12 - In response to my inquiry about the Shoreline Reconstruction project, Roosevelt Island's NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright says:

This project must be transparent. All concerns must be fully addressed. If need be, I will request the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation publicly meet with residents and Community Board 8, and the federal, state and city agencies involved. Roosevelt Island residents must be fully informed and have their voices heard as this project progresses. We will continue to monitor the important concerns that are being raised.

Have also asked NYC Council Member Ben Kallos and NY State Senator Jose Serrano for comment. Will update when their responses received.

RIOC added yesterday to their web site on this subject:

RIOC is fortunate to have a number of federal, state and local partners who have reviewed the plans for Southpoint Park and issued the appropriate permits for the proposed work there. Here is a brief list of departments that have reviewed - and approved - the plans:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps)
U.S. Department of the Interior – Fish and Wildlife Services
New York State Department of State (NYS DOS)
New York City Waterfront Revitalization Program (NYC WRP)
National Marine Fisheries Services (NOAA)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
New York State – Homeland Security and Emergency Services
New York State – Departmental of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC)
New York State – State Historic Preservation Office (NYS SHPO)
New York City – Department of City Planning (NYC DCP)
New York City – Small Business Services (NYC SBS) - for Waterfront Revitalization Program Consistency Review
New York City – Landmark Preservation Commission - for Waterfront Revitalization Program Consistency Review

RIOC also looks forward to continuing the public dialogue with the community on this exciting project.

UPDATE 1:25 PM - From NYC Council Member Ben Kallos:

This looks beautiful, I wish we could have this beautiful back-to-nature design for the Manhattan-side of my district, and I've been fighting for it since I've been elected.

Thank you to RIOC President Susan Rosenthal and the RIOC Board for moving beyond basic repairs to further beautify and add resiliency to the Island. I look forward to getting more input from the community as the process moves forward, but so far its beautiful.

UPDATE 2/18 - I asked RIOC today:

As you know, some in the community object to the plan because they assert it is incompatible with the existing flora and fauna wildlife in the area and the Shoreline Reconstruction plan will destroy their habitat.

RIOC has said that Federal, State and City agencies have reviewed and approved the plan.

Have these agencies reviewed the plan's impact on the Flora and Fauna in the area?

If they have, can you please send me any report RIOC has on the impact of the Project on the area flora and fauna wildlife.

RIOC replied on their web site:

In 2019, Langan Engineering conducted a habitat assessment of the project area on-land and in the East River. It was based on information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC), which generates a list of Federally-listed threatened/endangered species in the United States. IPaC also covers other resources - such as critical habitat - that are either known or expected to exist in the project area.

Wildlife in the Project Area: Based on a recent IPaC criteria, there are no critical habitats at the project site. A variety of migratory birds have been identified in the project area as either ‘birds of conservation concern’ or those that ‘warrant special attention’.

Fish in the Project Area: NOAA National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) has identified Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) in the waters of the East River around Southpoint Park, including: Blue Fish, Atlantic Butterfish, Summer Flounder, Winter Flounder, Little Skate, Atlantic Herring, Red Hake, Windowpane Flounder, Winter Skate and Clearnose Skate. None of these fish are listed as State or Federal ‘Threatened and Endangered Species’.

Conclusion: Due to the absence of threatened or endangered species on and adjacent to the project site, it is unlikely the project will adversely affect threatened or endangered wildlife.

Vegetation in Project Area:

Westside: the vegetative community is primarily a scrub-herbaceous community dominated by Ragweed, Mugwort, London Plane tree, Norway Maple and Black Locust.

This vegetation is primarily non-native and/or invasive. But it provides a habitat for a variety of song birds and neo tropical migrants. Several Canada Geese were seen in this area with their young during a field inspection conducted at the end of May 2019.

Eastside: the waterfront has a similar understory as the west side but includes more and larger diameter trees in various physical conditions from good to poor. The trees include: Silver Maple, Siberian Elm, Eastern Cottonwood, Black Locust, Mulberry and Boxelder. Japanese Knotweed and Mugwort dominate the understory.

The understory is fairly dense in some sections. Similar to the west side of The Park, the eastern side provides suitable habitat for migrants such as songbirds and occasional waterfowl such as ducks and Canada Geese.

Conclusion: The majority of the vegetation to be removed is non-native and invasive. This vegetation will be replaced by trees, shrubs and herbs that are primarily native or naturalized with some ornamental herbs along the proposed walkway. These plants will attract more bird and wildlife species to the park.

The existing sea walls prevent the movement of wildlife to and from the river. The rip-rap revetment will provide a transition from the river onto the site for a variety species which may occasionally inhabit the site during breeding and migration seasons, possibly waterfowl and sea turtles.

Final Conclusion: The project will result in the temporary removal of the invasive vegetated habitat. The new rip-rap edge and enhanced vegetation will be greatly improve the area for wildlife.

Permitting Agencies

The following agencies have reviewed these findings as part of the application process for the Southpoint Park Open Space Project.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps)
U.S. Department of the Interior – Fish and Wildlife Services
New York State Department of State (NYS DOS)
New York City Waterfront Revitalization Program (NYC WRP)
National Marine Fisheries Services (NOAA)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
New York State – Homeland Security and Emergency Services
New York State – Departmental of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC)
New York State – State Historic Preservation Office (NYS SHPO)
New York City – Department of City Planning (NYC DCP)
New York City – Small Business Services (NYC SBS) - for Waterfront Revitalization Program Consistency Review
New York City – Landmark Preservation Commission - for Waterfront Revitalization Program Consistency Review

UPDATE 2/27 - From NY State Senator Jose Serrano:

The seawall at Southpoint Park is in dire need of repair and the existing soil is contaminated- a condition that must be remediated.

As this project moves forward, it’s important that all parties involved ensure that public dialogue is encouraged and that the concerns of Roosevelt Island residents are heard and addressed. Toward that end, RIOC has expressed that they are willing to continue public dialogue on this project, and that they would like to schedule additional outreach and discussions with residents in Spring 2020.

I look forward to being a part of these discussions and to ensuring that additional resident concerns are addressed as we meet our common goals of repairing the seawall while ensuring no wildlife habitats are harmed in the process of preserving and enhancing the park."