Roosevelt Island Rats Infesting Riverwalk Buildings Area

Click on image for close up view of rat on lawn in front of Starbucks

The addition of more restaurants and outdoor eating options in the Southtown Riverwalk area is a welcome amenity for Roosevelt Island but it has also resulted in a notable increase in rats brazenly scampering all over the place particularly on the lawn in front of Starbucks, near the new fruit stand and elsewhere. While sitting at the Starbucks outdoor patio recently, I noticed out of the corner of my eye what I thought (hoped?) was one of the black squirrels scampering nearby but soon realized it was a huge rat. Very, very disgusting!

I inquired of RIOC President Steve Shane the following:

I have received several messages regarding a rat problem in the Southtown area, particularly around the new Fruit stand concession and lawn in front of Starbucks. I even saw a huge rat scampering in front of the service entrance at 425 Main. Is this the responsibility of the Landlord to address or RIOC? If RIOC's responsibility, can you advise what is or will be done about this problem.

Mr. Shane responded that RIOC:

... and Southtown (Hudson/Related/Riverwalk) are all in the fight together, that we live in an urban waterfront environment and there never will be a perfect solution, that cleanliness and attention to trapping, poison, etc. are a good thing, but that construction sites in particular, where established nests are disturbed always give rise to rat appearances. Everyone has the problem. We need the Pied Piper.

On Monday evening, I noticed this mound of garbage piled up high outside of Riverwalk buildings 3 & 4 on Main Street which could make a gourmet feast for our neighborhood rats.



I advised Mr. Shane of this situation:

... there is an additional problem of the Riverwalk buildings leaving their garbage bags on the street from early evening until early morning when the garbage is finally picked up. A sumptuous feast for the rats as well. Yesterday, the garbage from Riverwalk Buildings 3 and 4 were on the street from at least 5:30 until 4:30 the next morning. Attached is a picture. Will Southtown ever be connected to the Island's underground garbage removal system?

He replied:

The AVAC system is connected to Southtown. I do not know the origin of the garbage piled outside except if its from the commercial stores. Need to figure something out.

One thing we as residents can do is to stop throwing left over take-out food from the Fruit Stand, Starbucks, Nonnos and Fuji East on the street and put it in the waste basket where it belongs. I have seen many people just throwing their scraps on the sidewalk or lawn despite their being garbage cans not more than 5 feet away. Also, people throwing their crumbs to the pigeons at Starbucks contributes to the rat infestation problem here on Roosevelt Island. It would be helpful if we stop supplying meals to the rats and that Starbucks put up some signage advising others not to feed the pigeons.

You Tube video of Do not feet the pigeons