Watch Video Of Last Friday Evening's Roosevelt Island Blackwell Park $5 Million Redesign Project Community Meeting - RIOC Reveals Initial Plans And Receives Input From Residents, Construction Anticipated To Begin In The Fall Of 2023

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) is in the process of redesigning Blackwell Park.

Last Friday evening January 27, RIOC hosted a Blackwell Park Re-design community meeting to share current plans and seek comments from the Roosevelt Island community. 

On very short notice, about 25 residents attended the meeting at the Good Shepherd Chapel. RIOC President Shelton Haynes was not in attendance. Instead, RIOC Director Of Capital Planning & Projects Prince Shah made the presentation for the $5 million project which is, as of now, anticipated to begin construction in the Fall of 2023.

Here's video of the meeting which began with an introduction by RIOC Assistant Vice President of Communications Akeem Jamal and overview by Acting Chief Operating Officer Mary Cunneen.

The project and online community survey results are summarized in these slides from the RIOC Presentation.

Mr Shah did an excellent job with the presentation and noted why this particular project is so important to him personally.

 

Mr Shah said that RIOC intends to keep the Roosevelt Island community informed as the Blackwell Park re-design project moves forward.

RIOC Hosting Roosevelt Island Blackwell Park Redesign Community Presentation Friday Evening January 27- You're Invited And RIOC Says Your Input Is Valued

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) is hosting a Blackwell Park

 

redesign community presentation Friday evening, January 27, starting 6 PM at the Good Shepherd Chapel (543 Main Street)

According to RIOC: 

Dear Roosevelt Island Community,

The historic Blackwell Park, located at the intersection of West Road and Main Street, is among the most utilized recreation spaces on Roosevelt Island. As the Island continues to develop, so has the need for public parks and other amenities. The increased demand highlights a glaring need to expand the existing playground area and green space within Blackwell Park. As RIOC celebrates over four decades of the storied Blackwell Park, it's known that the originally constructed area requires a transformative redesign to meet the current standards and is aligned with other New York City parks. In Phase I, RIOC announced an upgrade to the west parcel of the park, including a brand-new sidewalk, vibrant trees, fresh landscaping, and an open seating area outside of the New York Public Library.

As President & CEO Shelton J. Haynes recently announced, your input is at the forefront of the design phase. RIOC hopes to achieve the same results at the east parcel of Blackwell Park during Phase II. Areas of improvement include equipment upgrades to be ADA compliant, infrastructure updates including utility and drainage systems, and beautifying other highly frequented areas such as the pergola area, plaza pavement and fountain, water play area, basketball courts, hardscape, and landscape areas throughout. As RIOC moves forward with Phase II of Blackwell Park, your input is valued as it will provide the framework and direction for the Masterplan of the Blackwell Park project....

...  RIOC will host a community presentation on Friday, 1/27 at The Chapel of Good Shepherd (543 Main Street) to have a discussion about the vision for Phase II of Blackwell Park.

Update On Roosevelt Island's Blackwell Park Master Plan - More At Tonight's RIRA Meeting

Aerial View Image Of Blackwell Park From Judith's Gallery

During the May 2010 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Meeting, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. (RIOC) VP of Planning & Inter-Governmental Affairs Rosina Abramson

and Landscape Architect Lee Weintraub


presented RIOC's updated proposal for a Blackwell Park Master Plan

that they say complies with the features endorsed by a prior RIRA resolution on subject.

Image of Blackwell Park Master Plan Site Map

I asked Ms. Abramson to summarize RIOC's Master Plan for Blackwell Park. Ms. Abramson writes:

The community planning process for creating a new masterplan for 40 year old Blackwell Park began summer 2009 when RIOC convened a meeting with Roosevelt Island community group representatives. The composition of the planning group expanded from 8 or 9 members to a total of 18. In preparation for its work, the community planning group met with RIOC's landscape architect, Lee Weintraub and associates including experts in children's play. The group visited other parks and playgrounds as examples of current design principles and the playground experts held focus groups with children from the Youth Center and PS/IS 217 and their teachers. Masterplanning to update Blackwell Park began for several reasons, including: Blackwell House interior is being renovated and a handicap accessible ramp, running from the East Porch into Blackwell Park is required; the Southtown developers are obligated to re-locate the tot lot, as it sits in the footprint of building 7; the Park - designed 40 years ago doesn't meet modern standards of universal handicap accessibility; pavers on the Kiley Bosque - the cluster of trees between Blackwell House and 504 Main Street, surrounding the children's play fountain - are buckling creating tripping hazards and impacting tree roots.

After a series of meetings, the community planning committee recommended a masterplan design to the RIRA Common Council, which passed a resolution at its Feb. 2, 2010 meeting endorsing a masterplan including the following features: All trees are preserved; Grouping the playground on the north end of the park with the tot lot on the southern end, so that parents can supervise children playing in both areas and releasing the northern lawn for use for picnics and passive recreation and as a sledding hill in winters; Creating a handicap ramp approved by the RI disabled association and seniors, along with a "kitchen" garden featuring herbs and plants contemporaneous with the Blackwell family; re-aligning grades and paths in the Park to meet current universal accessibility standards; Maintaining the two basketball Courts with upgraded seating; removing the pavers in favor of a more tree friendly pavement finish and creating an area for outdoor cafe tables and chairs; outdoor adult fitness equipment will be located at various points along the East Promenade, facing the water.

On May 5th, landscape architect Lee Weintraub presented the master plan for Blackwell Park, incorporating the planning principles of RIRA's resolution.

Plan Description
The Master Plan proposes that the area around the Blackwell House be modified to include ADA and related improvements that include a modest period residential landscape at the east facing porch and a ramped access to the porch. The existing paved area under the "Kiley" bosque will be changed removing the current frost and root heaved pavement, and replacing it with compacted gravel and cafe seating. The Master Plan proposes to preserve and protect the bosque planetrees and existing fountains.The plan also proposes to extend this bosque north to the terrace at 405 Main. Longer term vision includes a location for a food service cafe located within the bosque.

The basketball courts and stepped spectator seating are left in the exact location they currently occupy. These will be updated. Walls and access points are proposed to be modified so an ADA compliant path is achieved. The area just south of Roosevelt Landings, currently occupied by walls and a mix of play equipment will be modified. The play area is proposed to be relocated and the topography modified to allow for a sledding and sunning east facing hill that largely respects the existing planting and appropriately allows for seasonal use. Trees remain in place. The landscape edge is modified to allow for a sequence of areas for outdoor fitness and exercise equipment.

The Master Plan proposes that the southern area of Blackwell be allocated for a children's adventure playground. The playground is planned to take advantage of and respect existing mature trees. It is proposed to be a set of terraced spaces respecting existing site topography and trees. An array of play opportunities and modes are set on the linked terrace, including play for disabled children. The Master Plan proposes that the play area be accessible to children of different ages, different skill sets, and different interests. It also includes discrete areas for caregivers, serving as "eyes" on the entry point to the playground. The play area (and the basketball courts) will be accessed from a path that aligns with the Blackwell House Porch modifying the existing steps and grades to allow for ramped wheel chair access under the existing and preserved gingko allee.

I asked members of RIRA's Blackwell Park Task Force for their thoughts on RIOC's plan
There's More!


but they were not yet ready to comment.

Blackwell House Park Lawn

One person who was ready to comment was Roosevelt Island resident and RIRA Common Council Delegate Steve Marcus. Expressing his personal opinion and not that of RIRA, Mr. Marcus writes:

This plan has not changed appreciably since December, when the expanded committee of interested residents made it clear that they didn't want trees felled and basketball courts moved. In fact, the committee likes the park, pretty much as is, and wants to see minimal changes.

Rosina however, needs to justify her ... (amount deleted by blogger because not confirmed) ... salary on a bloated RIOC payroll by inventing work that requires her involvement. What we have here is a bureaucracy that burns such enormous amounts annually that we will likely be bankrupt in 20 years. Of course, Shane and Abramson will be long gone by then, and we will have little to sell off or pave over in order to cover our expenses.

In the last 10 years, RIOC managed to give mega-developers Hudson and Related the rights to build Southtown 1,2 and 3 for a net of one million dollars - RIOC paid four million for infrastructure and got back five million from H&R. By comparison, Manhattan Park pays RIOC five million dollars each and every year for the foreseeable future. RIOC then sold off Octagon Park for a grand total of $10 million one-time - they will likely make 700 million in profits over the next 50 years - RIOC managed to sell this land in an up market for the merest fraction of what Manhattan Park was sold for in a down market.

Flush with all of this imaginary money from one-time payments, RIOC has seen fit to expand staff, take on at least 8 more Public safety officers, blow 22 million on a tram we didn't need, another 3.9 million on a roof for the Tram station that we don't need, 1 million for astroturf on the Octagon field - a field we can't even use because RIOC usually rents it out. The astoturf needs to be replaced every 9 - 11 years, so we are spending 100,000 a year to get $100,000 year in rentals.

So, lets return to Blackwell Park, where the tot-lot that needs to move whenever Hudson and Related feel like breaking ground on the 28 story monstrosity that will abut the park. A perfect opportunity to blow what Shane estimates to be anywhere from 2 to 11 million dollars.

What I think we need is a return to sanity - lets re-open some stores on Main Street, at affordable rents so that merchants needed by the elderly and island-bound can afford to stay open and serve them. Lets cut back on all the grandiose plans that we don't need and can't afford. Lets cut RIOC's administrative staff that does administer too well, and Public Safety, that doesn't add to our public safety.

And lets put the south tot-lot next to the north tot-lot that RIOC just built last year next to Eastwood and save Shane's "2 to 11 million dollars"

Blackwell House Lawn

Blackwell Park Basketball Courts

Blackwell Park Fountain

We should be learning more about the plans for Blackwell Park later tonight at the RIRA meeting since Landscape Architect Lee Weintraub is scheduled to speak during the public session.

Below is the RIRA Blackwell Park Resolution:

Let it be known that the following Action was taken at a Meeting of the Common Council of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association on February 3, 2010:

RESOLUTION OF THE BLACKWELL PARK SUB-COMMITTEE
Adopted by the RIRA Common Council – February 3, 2010

Whereas the Roosevelt Island community was invited to participate in the conceptual planning for Blackwell Park, and

Whereas a small Task Force, including two RIRA delegates was convened last July for that purpose, and

Whereas that Task Force has expanded to include more Islanders who are stakeholders in the Park and/or experts in various aspects of park planning, and

Whereas that expanded Task Force has coalesced into the Blackwell Park sub-committee of the RIRA Planning Committee with Matthew Katz and Judy Berdy as co-chairs, and

Whereas the sub-committee has been asked to present its findings to Rosina Abramson and RIOC, therefore

We resolve that the following conclusions be factored into the conceptual and design planning for Blackwell Park:

• That changes to Blackwell Park be considered more as renewal and maintenance upgrading rather than rethinking a park that has served the needs of Islanders well for decades. Less is more.
• That the Blackwell Park project be considered in the context of Roosevelt Island park planning as a whole and that budgeting for this project be considered as just one component of the Island’s capital needs.
• That the two basketball courts remain in their current positions and will be accessible and barrier-free. The area between the courts will contain spectator seating.
• That the playgrounds for both older and younger children will be in such proximity to one another that parents can monitor children in both from a single vantage point. This flat area will include seating and stroller storage for those supervising children in the playgrounds.
• That a water fountain for children to play in must be included.
• That the entrance to these playgrounds will be within Blackwell Park rather than at the periphery for safety and within a controlled space.
• That the wholesale moving or removal of mature trees will not be considered but that other landscaping, such as trimming back hedges, will be accomplished.
• That the significant slope of the area will be utilized to provide green space for mixed use and to provide an appropriate sledding hill. Slopes will be wheelchair accessible.
• That, to accommodate surface tree roots, an appropriate surface will be found to replace concrete walking areas.
• That areas adjacent to the East Channel steam vents will be set aside for exercise equipment.
• That no overpass should be considered to the East Channel Promenade.
• That an ADA/Landmarks Commission compliant, barrier-free ramp for disabled access to Blackwell House, similar to “Plan A” (as presented to the sub-committee) but including additional area for plantings and endorsed by RIDA, will be included.
• That the “Kiley Bosk” area just north of Blackwell House will have room for future food service, including tables and chairs.
• That bathroom facilities will be a part of the final plan, either within the Park or adjacent to it at 504 Main Street, if a use for this building that would include public rest rooms can be arrived at prior to the drafting of construction plans.
• That components of the old Tram, to be replaced starting in March, will be use to create an industrial sculpture facility preferably at Motorgate, but in any event, will not be placed in Blackwell Park.

That the committee shall be included in all subsequent planning stages such as design and construction elements.

UPDATE 6/3- The RIRA Planning Committee reported to the June RIRA Common Council Meeting the following in regard to RIOC's proposed Blackwell Park Master Plan:

Planning Committee Report – June 2, 2010

RIOC Vice President, Rosina Abramson, has made available an artist’s rendering by landscape architect, Lee Weintraub, which conforms to the RIRA Resolution vote on last January. We shared it with the Blackwell House sub- committee members for their consideration and comments. There being no substantive objections to the drawing, sub-committee chairs, Judy Berdy and I have sent the following comment to Ms. Abramson:

Blackwell Park Sub-Committee of the RIRA Planning Committee Response to the Recent Artists Rendering June 1, 2010

We have shared the Weintraub drawings with the sub-committee members along with a copy of the RIRA Resolution that codifies our expectations for the conceptual planning phase of Blackwell Park. We received no negative comments or requests for clarification or more information. Based on that, we believe that the rendering conforms to the general preferences of the participating community members. Of course, we understand that the conceptual plan encompasses only broad strokes and that the practical details will be found in the design elements to be considered next. Until we understand what those design elements are, where they will be placed and what they (and the entire project) will cost, our support may be construed only for the overall conceptual plan. We look forward to working with you to develop and cost-out those design elements.
Respectfully submitted, Matthew Katz, Chair

Roosevelt Island Residents Association Resolution On Blackwell Park - Community Consensus Is Keep Green & Less Is More

Aerial View Image Of Blackwell Park From Judith's Gallery

What's going on with the Blackwell Park Master Plan? The last we heard was that any plan was on hold by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) until a consensus was reached by the Roosevelt Island community through the Blackwell Park Task Force operating under the auspices of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA).

Blackwell House and Park

Below is Roosevelt Island's community consensus on Blackwell Park Master Plan in the form of a RIRA resolution.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Let it be known that the following Action was taken at a Meeting of the Common Council of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association on February 3, 2010:

RESOLUTION OF THE BLACKWELL PARK SUB-COMMITTEE
Adopted by the RIRA Common Council – February 3, 2010

Whereas the Roosevelt Island community was invited to participate in the conceptual planning for Blackwell Park, and

Whereas a small Task Force, including two RIRA delegates was convened last July for that purpose, and

Whereas that Task Force has expanded to include more Islanders who are stakeholders in the Park and/or experts in various aspects of park planning, and

Whereas that expanded Task Force has coalesced into the Blackwell Park sub-committee of the RIRA Planning Committee with Matthew Katz and Judy Berdy as co-chairs, and

Whereas the sub-committee has been asked to present its findings to Rosina Abramson and RIOC, therefore

We resolve that the following conclusions be factored into the conceptual and design planning for Blackwell Park:

• That changes to Blackwell Park be considered more as renewal and maintenance upgrading rather than rethinking a park that has served the needs of Islanders well for decades. Less is more.
• That the Blackwell Park project be considered in the context of Roosevelt Island park planning as a whole and that budgeting for this project be considered as just one component of the Island’s capital needs.
• That the two basketball courts remain in their current positions and will be accessible and barrier-free. The area between the courts will contain spectator seating.
• That the playgrounds for both older and younger children will be in such proximity to one another that parents can monitor children in both from a single vantage point. This flat area will include seating and stroller storage for those supervising children in the playgrounds.
• That a water fountain for children to play in must be included.
• That the entrance to these playgrounds will be within Blackwell Park rather than at the periphery for safety and within a controlled space.
• That the wholesale moving or removal of mature trees will not be considered but that other landscaping, such as trimming back hedges, will be accomplished.
• That the significant slope of the area will be utilized to provide green space for mixed use and to provide an appropriate sledding hill. Slopes will be wheelchair accessible.
• That, to accommodate surface tree roots, an appropriate surface will be found to replace concrete walking areas.
• That areas adjacent to the East Channel steam vents will be set aside for exercise equipment.
• That no overpass should be considered to the East Channel Promenade.
• That an ADA/Landmarks Commission compliant, barrier-free ramp for disabled access to Blackwell House, similar to “Plan A” (as presented to the sub-committee) but including additional area for plantings and endorsed by RIDA, will be included.
• That the “Kiley Bosk” area just north of Blackwell House will have room for future food service, including tables and chairs.
• That bathroom facilities will be a part of the final plan, either within the Park or adjacent to it at 504 Main Street, if a use for this building that would include public rest rooms can be arrived at prior to the drafting of construction plans.
• That components of the old Tram, to be replaced starting in March, will be use to create an industrial sculpture facility preferably at Motorgate, but in any event, will not be placed in Blackwell Park.

That the committee shall be included in all subsequent planning stages such as design and construction elements.

Here's some additional information on Roosevelt Island's Blackwell Park Master Plan situation.

Update On RIOC Directors Effectively Monitoring RIOC Staff & Roosevelt Island Blackwell Park Dog Run - Is It Flaying A Dead Horse?

Image of 2002 Southtown Site From Main Street WIRE Southtown Chronology

RIOC President Steve Shane and Planning & Intergovernmental Affairs VP Rosina Abramson disagreed with last Thursday's post concerning the finding of no contractual obligation in Southtown Development Agreement required the placement of a Dog Run in Blackwell Park which they previously insisted existed to RIOC Board Directors during November's Real Estate Committee meeting (See RIOC Webcast at approx 1 hour 18 minute mark). The point of my post was more about the effective monitoring of RIOC staff by the RIOC Board members present at the Real Estate Committee meeting than the Dog Run itself. I wrote:

... This incident is a small but telling example of the importance of having Roosevelt Island residents on the RIOC Board who are knowledgeable and caring enough to effectively monitor the actions and decisions of RIOC staff as it pertains to the quality of life here on Roosevelt Island. In the past, the RIOC Board would probably have accepted Ms Abramson's statement regarding the dog run as fact and moved on to another matter. THOSE DAYS HAVE CHANGED!...

The next day Mr. Shane emailed:

In fact, while Mr. Leitner opined that there was no obligation for the dog run in the Southtown Development Agreement, as confirmed by the Southtown Developer, Mr. Kraut, then and now a RIOC Board member, offered the statement from his memory that the dog run was put in at the instance of the then Northtown residents, by and through RIOC, as the Northtown residents didn't want those future Southtown dogs running around and messing up the Island. So, the Developer agreed to do so in the spot now occupied by the dog run. With the advent of the new buildings, at some future date, the dog run will be relocated to a mutually agreeable location with Riverwalk and RIOC. No sinister plot by RIOC or grand victory for the self-styled oppressed residents. It is to be noted that many NYC parks do have dog runs, as canine owners are viewed as citizens also.

Later that day Ms Abramson emailed:

Obviously you missed the point. Come in and I will show you the documentation that indicated the Blackwell park location for the dog run. The Blackwell park location for the dog run became a moot issue when RIOC persuaded the developer to build it elsewhere. Also, there was never a contention that RIOC had an obligation to rebuild the tot lot, so what was your point? It's always been clearly the developer's obligation and we never contended otherwise.

I think it would be helpful to you to come in and review the background so you have some context for what you write.

I replied to Ms. Abramson:

Thank you for expressing your view on subject. I am always happy to correct any mistakes, errors or omissions that appear on the Roosevelt Islander blog.

However, in regard to your comment concerning this post about the Dog Run at Blackwell Park, I did not miss your point, obvious or otherwise.

As you know, during the November RIOC Real Estate Committee meeting you clearly and adamantly insisted that under the Southtown Development Agreement, RIOC was under a legal obligation to allow a dog run to be built in Blackwell Park. Had the RIOC Directors present at this meeting not insisted that RIOC General Counsel Ken Leitner examine the Agreement to confirm your statement the understanding would have persisted that the Riverwalk Developer had the contractual right to install a dog run in Blackwell Park. We now know that is not the case. Whatever documentation you reference, other than the Southtown Development Agreement is clearly not controlling.

Your point regarding this being a moot issue because RIOC had already persuaded the Riverwalk developer to put the dog run elsewhere is confusing. When did this occur - if before the November Real Estate Committee meeting why did you insist that RIOC had the legal obligation to build the dog run at Blackwell Park? If after the November meeting why did RIOC have to persuade the Riverwalk developer not to do build the dog run at Blackwell Park when the developer had no such right to begin with? What am I missing here?

As to my mention of the tot lot, it was only included in the post because Mr. Leitner mentioned it in his discussion. No other point was intended or made.

As always, I am happy to include yours and any other member of RIOC's staff perspective in any material published on Roosevelt Islander blog so that the full context of a story is presented. I always endeavor to be fair though at times I may fall short. When that is pointed out to me I will make any correction.

Ms. Abramson replied:

The dog run was agreed by developer not to be in Blackwell park long before Nov. meeting at my insistence, which is why it was moot and not pursued with legal. That it's legality was subsequently raised with legal had no consequence as it wasn't going there anyway. Come in and I'll show you documentation.

The fact that I didn't comment further at the ops meeting is because it has been moot for a long time and I didn't think any more time spent on a non event would be profitable. There's lots of stuff I didn't comment on including whether the sky was falling. Only Orwell would draw implications from that.

I replied to Mr. Shane's message:

Thank you for your thoughts on this matter.

My main point in this post was not whether or not a Southtown Dog Run is a good or bad idea. The main point was that RIOC's VP of Planning and Intergovernmental Affairs provided incorrect information to RIOC Board members on this subject during the November Real Estate Committee meeting but that in this case was challenged by resident RIOC Board members to demonstrate the validity of her statement and it was subsequently determined to be inaccurate by RIOC General Counsel Lietner.

As you know, Rosina adamantly insisted at this meeting that a Blackwell Park dog run was a part of the Southtown Development Agreement and you agreed with her as well. ( See RIOC webcast of meeting at approx 1 hour 18 minute mark forward) that RIOC was obligated to put a Dog Run in Blackwell Park. In the past, the RIOC Board would have accepted Rosina's statement, and your agreement with that statement as true, and moved on to another matter. That did not happen this time and was the point of the post - not the adviseablilty of a Southtown Dog run.

Also, in subsequent email messages between Rosina and myself following the publication of this post, in which you were copied, Rosina explains that she persuaded the Riverwalk Developers not to place a dog run in Blackwell Park long before the November Real Estate Committee meeting. But if that was the case why did she state to the RIOC Board Directors during that meeting that RIOC was obligated to put a dog run in Blackwell Park? Further, why did she think she needed to persuade the Developer to forgo building a dog run in Blackwell Park that the Developer had no right to build in the first place as stated by Mr. Leitner?

In regard to the Dog run, your statement that the dog run is for the benefit of Northtown residents is incomplete at best since you and Rosina both indicated at the Real Estate Meeting that it is a marketing gimmick for the Riverwalk Developer so that he may attract more dog owners to his buildings and Roosevelt Island.

I was not imputing any "sinister plot by RIOC" just reporting what happened and approving of the RIOC Directors actions in this matter.

Finally, Mr. Shane gets the last word - maybe:

Having dogs was and is a marketing matter for Riverwalk. The dog run was originally pushed by the other Island residents. See David Kraut's recollection.Now having been promised a dog run in the marketing materials, the Riverwalk folks of course view it as their prerogative.
I was relying on the map produced by Rosina showing the dog run location. Let us not continue to flay this horse, now dead. The purpose of the community planning exercise is not to impose anyone's will, but to reach consensus. Delighted that the issue, now raised, has been satisfactorily resolved to everyone's satisfaction. Surely, it matters not a whit to RIOC where the dog run is located, so long as the most residents are served and the least disturbed.
Thank you to all who, ever vigilant, kept this matter from further importance.

No Dog Run For Roosevelt Island's Blackwell Park Mentioned In Southtown Development Agreement - New RIOC Directors Effectively Monitoring Staff

Image of Blackwell House and Park

Last night's scheduled RIOC Operations Committee meeting was not held due to a lack of a quorum present resulting from the illness of several Committee members. However, an information gathering meeting took place under the Chairmanship of RIOC Director David Kraut focusing on the status of the Blackwell Park Master Plan.

As indicated in post earlier this week:

... A new issue in the Blackwell Park Master Plan Redesign saga was raised by Ms. Abramson during November 20 RIOC Real Estate Development Committee meeting. Ms Abramson claimed that in addition to the Southtown Tot Lot being moved to Blackwell Park when construction of Riverwalk Buildings 7-9 commences, the Southtown Development Agreement requires RIOC to also move the Southtown Dog Run to Blackwell Park as well.

Ms Abramson did not say what feature currently in Blackwell Park such as the Basketball Courts, Fountain, Lawn or trees would have to be removed to accommodate the dog run.

The RIOC Directors present at the meeting (Kalkin, Polivoy and RIOC nominee Smith) were not pleased at the Dog Run news and were highly skeptical that this was part of the Agreement. They asked Ms. Abramson to show them where this provision compelling RIOC to install a Dog Run in Blackwell Park was in the Agreement. She was not able to do so at the meeting...

Image of Southtown Dog Run From Roosevelt Island 360

During yesterday's meeting we learned from RIOC General Counsel Kenneth Leitner that Ms. Abramson was incorrect when she stated that RIOC was legally obligated under Southtown Development Agreement to install a dog run in Blackwell Park. According to Mr. Leitner, after reviewing the Agreement he found no mention of a dog run in the Agreement and concluded that no such obligation existed. Ms Abramson did not say what the basis was for her earlier conclusion that there was such an obligation.

Mr. Leitner also indicated that the Southtown Riverwalk Developers, not RIOC, were obligated to replace the current Southtown Tot Lot in Blackwell Park upon construction of Buildings 7-9 on the Queens side of East River.

This incident is a small but telling example of the importance of having Roosevelt Island residents on the RIOC Board who are knowledgeable and caring enough to effectively monitor the actions and decisions of RIOC staff as it pertains to the quality of life here on Roosevelt Island. In the past, the RIOC Board would probably have accepted Ms Abramson's statement regarding the dog run as fact and moved on to another matter. THOSE DAYS HAVE CHANGED!

It was also decided that the ad hoc Blackwell Park Task Force Committee, composed of Roosevelt Island residents, will be brought in under the authority of RIRA so that RIRA will continue to be the official voice of the community to RIOC. RIOC will move forward on the Blackwell Park Master Plan based upon the recomendations contained in the Blackwell Task Force November 6 letter to Ms. Abramson.

November 6, 2009
Dear Rosina,

Since the Saturday Walk-through with Lee Weintraub, a Task Force Committee has met several times for many hours over the past two weeks to formulate a response to what was presented and provide feedback on our priorities. The committee has remarkable consensus on virtually all of the recommendations that are presented below.

A) The committee is enthusiastic about the proposed placement and design of the new Tot Lot on the south side of the park. We feel strongly that the park should be a place for pure recreation and play and that it should not have a “science-theme”. We concluded that the best place for the future dismantled tram pieces is the glass enclosure of Motorgate, especially because of the need to continue protecting them from the effect of the elements and since Motorgate is a natural extension of the industrial art motif.

The elements that we most appreciate are
• The consolidation of facilities – so that caregivers can supervise kids of all ages
• Well designed bench locations
• Ambitiious sprinkler plan – we hope you splurge on this, should be great fun
• Ample shade
• Varied elevations

B) The committee is unanimously opposed to relocating trees. Such relocation is costly and unsafe to the trees. This is not to say that we oppose moving one or two trees to fulfill a specific objective, but we believe that the wholesale relocation that was presented at the walk-through was very undesirable and unnecessary.

C) The committee is also almost unanimously opposed to relocating the basketball courts. We are certain that the basketball courts’ present location is optimal. The 40 to 50 trees that ring them are appealing and block some of the view of the power plants. The courts should be resurfaced so that they drain properly and so that drains are not so prone to clogging by leaves and other debris.

D) We applaud the plans to make the park entrance more appealing, and encourage bold efforts in this regard. We all agree that the green fence next to 504 - the former Lillies Blackwell School and the unused area that it encloses should be removed in favor of a more open southwest vista. Benches should be replaced with more appealing and durable ones – such as those in and around Octagon Park or LIC park in Queens below the Pepsi sign.

At the entrance, we also encourage consideration of a pergola, arbor area, trellis or garden, to direct the attention of passersby to the direction of the park.

E) The sloping lawn next to the Blackwell school already has a nice open feel to it, and will become larger once the area inside the fence is integrated into it. The grade extending to the river can be modified by terracing. Terrace walls can be used as natural bench backs.

F) The former “Castle playground” should be considered as the locale for a fitness area for teens and adults.

G) The western border overlooking both basketball courts should be wheelchair accessible. The area between the two courts (the red pergola) can be remodeled but should continue to provide ample seating.

H) The ambience of the park would be enhanced with the addition of appropriate sculptures – perhaps in the area just south of the Blackwell House back deck.

I) Park lighting needs to be upgraded, both at the basketball courts and along the paths and playgrounds, and by any sculptures. Improved lighting around Blackwell House has already made it more attractive at night and has reduced the risk of vandalism.

J) The path of stairs leading from the courts to the back of Blackwell House is attractive and should remain. This area would benefit from a less cluttered appearance. Hedges should be trimmed back. Flowers or a garden should be considered if there is a suitable location either here, or at the Park entrance. All the walkways would be improved by use of wheelchair accessible brick or dense gravel material.

K) The committee feels strongly that significant expenditure around the 504 building should be deferred until its final use is resolved. Clearly, requirements for this area will be different for a library, than it will for, say, a restaurant.

L) The committee wants to see nearby bathroom facilities, but not in the park. Ideally, the new tenants for 504 Main Street or other nearby storefronts would offer facilities.

M) The “Castle” had a quality about it that challenged imaginations and was beloved by generations of kids. We’d like to see something like it replace the play equipment currently in place, possibly a “cityscape” or some other equipment that lends itself to exploration the way the Castle did.

N) Blackwell Park renovation needs to be considered in the context of the Island as a whole. While the Task Force, as per your request, has focused on Blackwell Park, the committee does not believe that it should take priority over other pressing issues such as the repair of rusted promenade railings or rehabilitation of the lighting and grounds at the pier south of the Meditation Steps.

The committee extends a very warm invitation to you and Mr. Weintraub to discuss these recommendations any weekday evening or weekend at either the RIVAA gallery or Rivercross Community room.

The task force will have continued involvement throughout the project.

RIOC Director Fay Christian remarked that she thought it unfair that Southtown residents had dogs while it was banned from most other parts of Roosevelt Island. We learned that the reason for this is not any policy enacted by RIOC but by the individual building owners who have incorporated "NO Dog Policy" in their leases. Here's a great video about Roosevelt Island - A Place Without Dogs.

As to if or where the current Southtown Dog Run will be relocated, that has yet to be decided. Stay tuned!

Will Dog Run Replace Basketball Court, Fountain, Lawn Or Trees At Roosevelt Island's Blackwell Park? RIOC Operations Committee To Discuss At Meeting

Image of Blackwell House and Park

According to RIOC:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Operations Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York. The Committee will meet to:

1. discuss the Blackwell Park conceptual design; and
2. receive an update on the Verizon FIOS Roosevelt Island Project.

What's the status of the Blackwell Park Master Plan re-design prior to Operations Committee Meeting? As reported in this November 19 post:

... the latest news on proposed Blackwell Park Master Plan that was opposed by many members of the Roosevelt Island community is that work on the project has been put on hold and the contract with the landscape architect Lee Weintraub has been suspended...

The reasons for community opposition to the plan are summarized in a letter from the Blackwell Park Task Force to RIOC VP Of Planning and Inter-Governmental Affairs Rosina Abramson included in November 19 post.

A new issue in the Blackwell Park Master Plan Redesign saga was raised by Ms. Abramson during November 20 RIOC Real Estate Development Committee meeting. Ms Abramson claimed that in addition to the Southtown Tot Lot being moved to Blackwell Park when construction of Riverwalk Buildings 7-9 commences, the Southtown Development Agreement requires RIOC to also move the Southtown Dog Run to Blackwell Park as well.

Image of Southtown Dog Run From Roosevelt Island 360

Ms Abramson did not say what feature currently in Blackwell Park such as the Basketball Courts, Fountain, Lawn or trees would have to be removed to accommodate the dog run.

Image of Blackwell Park Basketball Court

Image of Blackwell Park Fountain

Image of Blackwell Park Lawn

The RIOC Directors present at the meeting (Kalkin, Polivoy and RIOC nominee Smith) were not pleased at the Dog Run news and were highly skeptical that this was part of the Agreement. They asked Ms. Abramson to show them where this provision compelling RIOC to install a Dog Run in Blackwell Park was in the Agreement. She was not able to do so at the meeting.

Yesterday, I asked David Kramer, Principal at Hudson Companies, developer of Roosevelt Island Riverwalk buildings (together with Related Companies):

As you may know there has been quite alot of controversy on Roosevelt Island regarding RIOC's initial plan to re-make Blackwell Park. According to RIOC, the idea began because of the necessity to move the Southtown Tot lot from its current location if and when Riverwalk Building 7-9 start construction.

As of now, the plan to alter Blackwell Park has been put on hold but a new issue was raised during the 11/10 Real Estate Committee meeting (which primarily discussed Main Street Master Leaseholder Plan) when RIOC's Rosina Abramson claimed that under the Southtown Development agreement RIOC was required to also include the current Southtown Dog Run in a re-developed Blackwell Park when Riverwalk Buildings 7-9 start contruction. From your perspective is that true - Is there a legal obligation upon RIOC to place the current Dog Run in a new Blackwell Park once construction starts on the new buildings?

If so, what current portion of Blackwell Park would be removed. Basketball Courts, Fountain, Trees, Lawn etc?

In my opinion a dog run for Blackwell Park will result in significant community opposition. I already see people, mostly from the new rental and condo building using adjacent Firemen's Field as a place to walk and let their dogs run unleashed.

Mr. Kramer replied:

Why would anyone oppose a dog run? It was intended as a concession to the anti-dog crowd by giving our canine friends a place to congregate. What am I missing?

I replied to Mr. Kramer:

This is what you may be missing.

If the current Southtown Dog run planned to be removed sometime in the future is placed in Blackwell Park that means something that is now there and enjoyed will be removed given Blackwell Park's limited size. Blackwell Park, given the current boundaries, is not large enough to add a dog run to it.

So the opposition is about what will be taken out of the current Blackwell Park if a dog run is placed there? The Basketball Courts, Fountain, Lawn, Trees etc?

Separate and apart from this objection is also the objection to dog owners who do not properly take care of their pets, not cleaning up after them and allowing the dogs to run unleased even though there is a dog run currently available to them.

Let's see what RIOC has to say about Blackwell Park conceptual plan at Wednesday's Operations Committee meeting. The webcast of the meeting will be available here.

Keep The Trees, Lose The Tram Parts - Roosevelt Island Blackwell Park Master Plan Work Suspended Due To Community Opposition!

Aerial View Image Of Blackwell Park From Judith's Gallery

A reader of this post from Southtown wrote:

... my husband and I are concerned about the proposals for Blackwell Park. I especially enjoy the tall trees that block the view of the power plant, and the tot park and basketball courts which bring different members of the community together. My husband plays basketball at the courts. At times we sit behind the Blackwell home and just enjoy the trees and serenity. We are disappointed that this site has been chosen for a possible historic tram center when there is so much space in Southpoint that could be utilized. Or, why not put the tram close to the current visitor's center?

There is little we can do to stop the building of new residencies where the land has already been sold, but I hope that planners are responsible enough to keep island sustainability interests in mind (as far as commercial space, population and transportation needs, etc), and that our park preservation - the trees, game fields, and existing structures - be somewhere in the forefront.

Blackwell House

Blackwell Park Lawn

Blackwell Park Fountain

Blackwell Park Basketball Court Image From Judith's Gallery

Well, the latest news on proposed Blackwell Park Master Plan that was opposed by many members of the Roosevelt Island community is that work on the project has been put on hold and the contract with the landscape architect Lee Weintraub has been suspended.

Image Of Landscape Architect Lee Weintraub Discussing Plans With Community

The reasons for community opposition to the plan are summarized in this letter from the Blackwell Park Task Force to RIOC VP Of Planning and Inter-Governmental Affairs Rosina Abramson.

November 6, 2009
Dear Rosina,

Since the Saturday Walk-through with Lee Weintraub, a Task Force Committee has met several times for many hours over the past two weeks to formulate a response to what was presented and provide feedback on our priorities. The committee has remarkable consensus on virtually all of the recommendations that are presented below.

A) The committee is enthusiastic about the proposed placement and design of the new Tot Lot on the south side of the park. We feel strongly that the park should be a place for pure recreation and play and that it should not have a “science-theme”. We concluded that the best place for the future dismantled tram pieces is the glass enclosure of Motorgate, especially because of the need to continue protecting them from the effect of the elements and since Motorgate is a natural extension of the industrial art motif.

The elements that we most appreciate are
• The consolidation of facilities – so that caregivers can supervise kids of all ages
• Well designed bench locations
• Ambitiious sprinkler plan – we hope you splurge on this, should be great fun
• Ample shade
• Varied elevations

B) The committee is unanimously opposed to relocating trees. Such relocation is costly and unsafe to the trees. This is not to say that we oppose moving one or two trees to fulfill a specific objective, but we believe that the wholesale relocation that was presented at the walk-through was very undesirable and unnecessary.

C) The committee is also almost unanimously opposed to relocating the basketball courts. We are certain that the basketball courts’ present location is optimal. The 40 to 50 trees that ring them are appealing and block some of the view of the power plants. The courts should be resurfaced so that they drain properly and so that drains are not so prone to clogging by leaves and other debris.

D) We applaud the plans to make the park entrance more appealing, and encourage bold efforts in this regard. We all agree that the green fence next to 504 - the former Lillies Blackwell School and the unused area that it encloses should be removed in favor of a more open southwest vista. Benches should be replaced with more appealing and durable ones – such as those in and around Octagon Park or LIC park in Queens below the Pepsi sign.

At the entrance, we also encourage consideration of a pergola, arbor area, trellis or garden, to direct the attention of passersby to the direction of the park.

E) The sloping lawn next to the Blackwell school already has a nice open feel to it, and will become larger once the area inside the fence is integrated into it. The grade extending to the river can be modified by terracing. Terrace walls can be used as natural bench backs.

F) The former “Castle playground” should be considered as the locale for a fitness area for teens and adults.

G) The western border overlooking both basketball courts should be wheelchair accessible. The area between the two courts (the red pergola) can be remodeled but should continue to provide ample seating.

H) The ambience of the park would be enhanced with the addition of appropriate sculptures – perhaps in the area just south of the Blackwell House back deck.

I) Park lighting needs to be upgraded, both at the basketball courts and along the paths and playgrounds, and by any sculptures. Improved lighting around Blackwell House has already made it more attractive at night and has reduced the risk of vandalism.

J) The path of stairs leading from the courts to the back of Blackwell House is attractive and should remain. This area would benefit from a less cluttered appearance. Hedges should be trimmed back. Flowers or a garden should be considered if there is a suitable location either here, or at the Park entrance. All the walkways would be improved by use of wheelchair accessible brick or dense gravel material.

K) The committee feels strongly that significant expenditure around the 504 building should be deferred until its final use is resolved. Clearly, requirements for this area will be different for a library, than it will for, say, a restaurant.

L) The committee wants to see nearby bathroom facilities, but not in the park. Ideally, the new tenants for 504 Main Street or other nearby storefronts would offer facilities.

M) The “Castle” had a quality about it that challenged imaginations and was beloved by generations of kids. We’d like to see something like it replace the play equipment currently in place, possibly a “cityscape” or some other equipment that lends itself to exploration the way the Castle did.

N) Blackwell Park renovation needs to be considered in the context of the Island as a whole. While the Task Force, as per your request, has focused on Blackwell Park, the committee does not believe that it should take priority over other pressing issues such as the repair of rusted promenade railings or rehabilitation of the lighting and grounds at the pier south of the Meditation Steps.

The committee extends a very warm invitation to you and Mr. Weintraub to discuss these recommendations any weekday evening or weekend at either the RIVAA gallery or Rivercross Community room.

Asked to comment on the letter, RIOC President Steve Shane responded:

The letter to Rosina seems to be a wonderful product from the community process underway. Will there be different views from different participants? Absolutely. Ultimately, the democratic process is messy, but when a consensus is achieved, the effort should be worthwhile.

It's very interesting that community feedback was so welcomed and sought by RIOC for Blackwell Park renovations but similar views were ignored and rejected for the proposed Louis Kahn FDR Memorial Boondoggle at Southpoint Park. I guess the reason is that Roosevelt Island community views are valued only to the extent that they do not interfere with the plans of politically powerful Democratic Party allies and fundraisers.

RIRA President On Roosevelt Island Subway Problems, Ferry Service, Blackwell Park Planning And Red Bus Scheduling

November RIRA Meeting Image From Jonathan Kalkin

Roosevelt Island Residents Association President (RIRA) Frank Farance sends the following report to Roosevelt Island residents.

1. Meeting with MTA soon on subway. Thank you to residents for contacting the elected officials. I contact the offices of Stringer, Lappin, Serrano, and Kellner: all support the our concerns about Island transportation. Kellner's office is taking the lead in arranging the meeting with the MTA. Still, can you help? Yes, if you haven't called, please call their offices:

— Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President, +1 212 669 8300, bp@ManhattanBP.org
— Jessica Lappin, City Councilmember, +1 212 980 1808, Lappin@council.nyc.ny.us
— Mayor Michael Bloomberg, +1 212 788 9600, ksheekey@cityhall.nyc.gov
— Jose Serrano, State Senator, +1 212 828 5829, NYSsenate28@gmail.com
— Micah Kellner, Assemblymember, +1 212 860 4906, KellnerM@assembly.state.ny.us
— Governor David Paterson, +1 518 474 8390, http://www.state.ny.us/governor/contact

If a meeting is already being arranged, then why should you still call? In my discussions with each of their offices, I received a uniform response: they keep track of the number of calls from us. The number of calls makes a big difference when the official discusses the "weight" of their constituents' concerns.

Why will we need this "weight"? We will be presenting several options to the MTA for increasing service to Roosevelt Island, including: extending the Q service from 57 Street and 7 Avenue out to 21 Street - Queensbridge; reserving the first car for Roosevelt Island; swapping V and F lines (F to 53 Street, V to 63 Street); and several others. Previously, the MTA has dismissed our suggestions. The "weight" (that means YOU making a 6 phone calls ASAP) will put much more pressure on the MTA to look harder at the proposed solutions. If 1 out of 15 of you call, that's a thousand calls -- a strong response. As they say, we get the government we deserve ... please make the calls.

We are posting information about this effort and general transit information about Roosevelt Island on http://RITransit.org.

2. Ferry Service. At RIRA's November 4 Common Council meeting, we approved the following resolution:

The RIRA Common Council supports the creation of commuter ferry service on Roosevelt Island and urges the choice of a ferry docking site to best expedite the start of service and that could potentially become a permanent service.

RIOC is investigating ferry service during the tram outage.

3. Blackwell Park planning. For the first time in 30 years on Roosevelt Island, I experienced something absolutely new and unexpected: watching a large group of strong-minded residents (including several RIOC Board members) collaborate and come to consensus on a substantial topic with no bickering and histrionics . This happened a week ago Tuesday (Oct. 27) and again this Monday (Nov. 3). As I reported previously, the previous approach, led by RIOC's Rosina Abramson, involved six people that meet infrequently, didn't exchange/share information, and was designed/destined to merely rubberstamp Abramson's plan. Residents started asking good questions: Why do we need a master plan, if we just need to move the tot lot? Why are we urgently developing a master plan when the new Southtown buildings are at least 3-5 years off? Why don't we know how RIOC's intended budget range? Something isn't right here.

So residents have started their own planning and have come up with great ideas. Wants: retain the basketball courts, retain the trees (don't move them), adjust steps/hills for better disabled access, co-locate kids and tots areas, durable equipment, low-maintenance costs. Don't wants: old tram cabin, education-themed park (i.e., heavy content), a clear view of the power plant. Residents want planning coordinated for all the parks, not just worrying about Blackwell. The residents have taken the lead and are forming their own plan to present to RIOC and the architect Lee Weintraub. More on this soon.

4. Red bus scheduling. Met with Buddy, the bus service supervisor and traveled the Island to understand service issues in the AM rush: (1) hospital shift changes near 7AM cause congestion across from Manhattan Park; (2) commercial vehicles, deliveries, and school buses at 7-9 AM between Motorgate ramp and Blackwell house; (3) northbound Access-A-Ride parking in WIRE buildings corridor; (4) short bus dock at M&D Deli backs up traffic; (5) potential improvements at southbound stop at subway. First understand the problems (not completely there yet), then work towards solutions. More in next issue.

Roosevelt Island Residents Association Meeting Tonight/ Agenda & Committee Reports On Ferry, Blackwell Park, Public Purpose Fund & Public Safety Below

Image of October RIRA Meeting

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council will be meeting tonight. Prior to the start of the meeting there is an opportunity for the public to present any issues of concern to the Council. Below is the Agenda for tonight's meeting as well as various committee reports.

AGENDA

Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Time: 8:00 P.M. - Finish
Place: Good Shepherd Community Center, 543 Main Street
1. Public Session (8:00)

2. Roll Call (8:30)
X 3. Approval of Agenda (8:35)
4. Approval of Minutes (8:40)
5. Treasurer’s Report (8:45)
- Report provided
6. President's Report (8:50)
7. Committee Reports (9:00)
Housing - J. Micheff & L. Strong-Shinozaki
Social, Cultural and Educational Services - N. Leopold
Island Services - A. Hamburger
Planning - M. Katz
- Committee report
Communications - E. Erickson
Government Relations - M. Smith
Public Safety - E. Feely-Nahem
- Committee report

8. Old Business (9:45)
X Revised Public Purpose Funds Guidelines and Criteria

9. New Business (9:45)

10. Adjourn

X Agenda items requiring action
Town Hall Meeting for October RIOC Board Meeting: Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 8-9:30PM
Next Meeting: Wednesday, December 2, 2009 (Mailing Deadline: October 30, 2009)
Future 2010 Meetings: January 6, February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2

The Planning Committee Report:

REPORT OF THE RIRA PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
Friday, October 16, 2009

Attending: Matthew Katz (Chair), Aaron Barth, Francisco Bozzano-Barnes, Frank Farance, Steven Heller, Sherie Helstien, Denise Shull

1. There was a discussion of the potential for ferry service on Roosevelt Island, including what would be the best site for a ferry landing and what response to the question the RIRA Common Council should make. Several of the participants had attended and spoken at the citywide meeting on October 5. Katz noted that the discussion at Hunter College centered on docking sites with no representatives of the ferry providers present. He wondered whether the City would provide the service, as it does for the free Staten Island ferry, or offer it as a (possibly subsidized) profit-making concession. Shull made the case that Becker & Becker Associates has expended considerable time and money to pave the way for an Octagon site. Others noted that the transportation hub, servicing a majority of Island residents, is closer to the dock adjacent to the subway station, and might serve the greater number of riders. The consensus was approval for ferry service as a minimal contributor to solving our transportation bottleneck, both present and future, regardless of where the dock might be, and so, we offer the following Motion for consideration by the Common Council:
MOTION: The RIRA Common Council supports the presence of commuter ferry service on Roosevelt Island and urges the choice of a ferry docking site to best expedite the start of service and that could potentially be a permanent site.

2. The discussion continued on short- and long-term strategies for off-Island transportation. Katz discussed the many years of interacting with the heads of the MTA and the NYCTA that have produced no serious discussion of Roosevelt Island’s issues, much less solutions. He mentioned a report on F train service, to be released by New York City Transit, and promised to distribute it when available. [This report, entitled “Review of F Line Operations, Ridership, and Infrastructure” and dated October 7, 2009, has been electronically distributed to the Council]. This report cites the F train as the worst in the system, and Katz thought this might serve to produce a substantive meeting with Transit Authority officials to address our concerns. Farance offered to amass the technical data necessary to reinforce our case.
Update: Since this meeting, Katz has met with Assembly Member Kellner, who is working to arrange this meeting. The discussion continued with Kellner’s Community Liaison, Paul Curtis, during his October 22 on-Island office hours, and considered the parameters for such a meeting. The meeting included Government Relations Committee Chair, Margie Smith, and RIOC Board Director, Jon Kalkin. City Council Member, Jessica Lappin, has expressed interest in the meeting as well.

3. The Blackwell Park working group met on the morning of October 24 to walk through the site with RIOC Vice President, Rosina Abramson, and architect, Lee Weintraub. Several community members, longtime park users, joined the core group to add their input to the planning. Weintraub presented several hand-drawn schematics of the site to demonstrate how his thinking has progressed. For example, the two basketball courts that had been reduced to only one are now back to two courts based on information provided by players including RIRA delegate, Steve Marcus. When Weintraub stated that comfort stations were not an element in present planning, the group noted, vehemently, that any facility to be used by children and athletes must include toilet facilities.

4. The Blackwell Park Task Force, scheduled to meet on October 29, was cancelled by Rosina Abramson and did not meet. Task Force member, Judy Berdy, convened a meeting exclusively of Island activists on October 27 that included Task Force members, RIRA members, RIOC Board members and other stakeholders including Ali Schwayri, President of the Tree Board. While the RIOC effort has had as its basic premise a complete renovation of the site, this group began by asking, “What’s the matter with the park as it is?” Both Schwayri and architect, Tad Sudol, confirmed that the potential cost of transplanting mature trees, a part of the Weintraub plan, might cost $25,000 per tree with a 50% chance of survival. The group was adamantly opposed to any trees being moved. Howard Polivy noted that the budgeting for the park, which will include financial support by the Hudson and Related Companies to move the tot lot that currently sits on the site for Southtown building #7, is “murky.” The latest drawing from the RIOC architect included side-by-side basketball courts, and Steve Marcus, representing the ball players, saw this as inappropriate and unworkable. Many stated that the existing linear configuration, with shade trees, seating and sight lines, was “damn near perfect” as is. In the discussion of the Weintraub plan to create unobstructed sight lines from Blackwell House to the river, many objected, citing the requirement of moving trees only to clear a view of the Big Allys power plant. The plan to include “content” as suggested by the field trips to Gantry State Park and the playground at the Queens Hall of Science was generally repudiated as unnecessary, especially by parents who had raised their children in the park. We generally agreed that using elements from the old Tram and stations was an interesting idea, but didn’t need to be confined to Blackwell Park and that the planning should be in the context of planning for the entire Island. Fay Christian and others lauded the specific plans for the new playground, however. Everyone agreed that a comfort station, including running water, was essential for a park designed to include children of varying ages. We agreed that our work would be enhanced by having drawings to scale, and Berdy, Sudol and Frank Farance agreed to provide these work sheets by the next meeting, scheduled for Monday, November 2. Given the proximity to the November 4 RIRA Common Council meeting, RIRA participants will report verbally on this meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
Matthew Katz

There's More!


Guidelines For Public Purpose Funds:

Guidelines and Criteria for Evaluating Public Purpose Funds

Mission Statement:
Public Purpose Funds should be allocated to benefit Roosevelt Island residents, enhancing their quality of life through education, artistic and cultural enrichment, improved health or a better environment.

Requirements:
a) Applicant organizations must be not-for-profit incorporations as defined by Internal Revenue Code (26U.S.C. § 501(c) Status.

b) Group should not discriminate on the basis of age, place of national origin, physical condition, race, religion, or sexual orientation. (Exceptions might be permitted based upon the nature of the origination, e.g., youth service organizations focus on the young, disabled service organizations focus on those with certain physical conditions.)

c) RIRA requires at least a 60 day period of evaluation between the time RIOC submits the application to RIRA and the date RIRA is asked to make its recommendation back to RIOC.

d) Monies must be used for the specific purpose for which they were granted. An accounting must be provided at the end of the period to show how funds were spent.

e) Applicants must provide a Cost / Benefit analysis for RIRA's review. This analysis should detail how the grants will improve the quality of the services to be delivered.

f) If membership and/or tuition fees are charged, a price structure should be submitted. Such submissions should include details on number, and type of scholarships provided in the prior year and planned in the upcoming year.

g) Applicants should provide an account of all efforts made to secure grants from other sources.

h) Applicants should submit resumes for principal officers and pertinent staff.

Additional Factors:
Applicants are encouraged to comment on the following factors, which will also be considered:

a) Proportion of recipients who are residents of Roosevelt Island.

b) Preference will be given to organizations that can provide services to the widest population of residents, regardless of their economic condition.

c) Amount of services delivered to the economically disadvantaged.

d) Frequency of need — Is this a one-time request or is it expected to be a recurring request?

e) Proven history of service to the community.

f) Extent of volunteerism in the organization — how much of the group's needs are filled by donated time and/or materials?

g) Availability of "matching" grants or services — will a RIOC grant improve the chances of receiving additional monies or services form outside groups?

h) Efforts to secure grants from other sources.

i) Normally, RIRA will not recommend funding to cover 100% of salaries.

Public Safety Committee Report:

Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes
10/26/09

Attendees:
Peter Digilio
Lynne Shinozaki
Joyce Mincheff
Ellen Polivy
Frank Farance
Erin Feely-Nahem

Committee created a Mission statement for the committee. We discussed our priorities and attempted to place them in order. We decided to ask Director Guerra about his ideas on the Youth Tribunal model, and research other models.

Mission Statement:

To provide support to the Public Safety Department in an effort to assure that community needs are being met. To act as a liaison between the community and the Public Safety department, and to be available as an omnibudsman to facilitate resolution as needed.

Goals:
1) Work toward obtaining access for the disabled to the Public Safety office, making the entrance disabled accessible. Gaining access for the disabled to the elevators that are required for access to the Cultural Center.

2) Traffic Enforcement: To review and analyze enforcement of traffic regulations, such as traffic going through Stop signs, Yield signs, traffic control, etc.

3) Youth Tribunal: Look into the reality of implementing a Youth Tribunal system for lesser offences, such as misdemeanors, as an alternative to giving them summonses, desk tickets, or arrest for the youth on the Island. Utilizing community service as a punishment instead.

4) Parking Priorities: Look at ticketing policy, signs, ticket machines, and the fair and universal enforcement of the existing parking rules.

5) Traffic design: Petition for AAA to come onto the Island and analyze and design appropriate signage design.

6) Opening of Sports Park to be utilized for the youth on the Island as a place of entertainment on weekends, after 9:00pm when the Youth center closes. To have activities such as roller-skating, dances, music etc available as entertainment.

7) Bicycles on the side walk. Possible assist in organizing a Bike Safety Day, to be utilized by Public Safety as an informational opportunity to interact with community. Inform parents of the rules regarding riding on the sidewalk, safety, itching of bikes etc.

8) Plan a place where older youth can hang out without disturbing residents, possibly Meditation Steps, and have Public Safety break up large groups and move them to this designated area.

9) Motor Gate crime: Discuss options with Public Safety.

10) Enforcement issues around the growing amount of litter, dog feces and cleanliness of the Island, especially behind the Blackwell House path.

* After the minutes were passed around to other committee members who did not attend, it was requested that we consider addressing the unlawful car and truck traffic around the sea wall. At this time, other committee members have not commented on this issue. This issue can be discussed at the next meeting.