Report From RIOC's President - Public Purpose Fund Allocation, Transportation, Southpoint Park, Motorgate Lighting & Other Roosevelt Island Issues

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RIOC President Steve Shane sends the following report to Roosevelt Island residents. Mr. Shane addresses issues on Public Purpose Fund Allocation, Tram, Red Bus and Subway transportation issues, Renwick Ruins Stabilization, Green Rooms/Wild Garden and FDR Memorial among several other items of importance to Roosevelt Island.

1. Board of Directors: Special Meeting April 22, 2009. Public Purpose Fund allocation recommended by RIRA after reconsideration is to be considered again after the Governance Committee meeting on 3/31/09 and RIRA’s meeting on 4/7/09. No news on Gubernatorial appointments and Senate confirmation.

2. Southpoint: As to projects:

(A) Renwick Ruins: Stabilization work nearing completion with much of the steel superstructure erected inside the walls to support the structure. The building will then be boarded up to secure the interior and prevent trespassing.

(B) Green Rooms/Wild Gardens: The contractor, Coppola Paving & Landscaping Corp., has executed and delivered its contract, insurance and bonds and has started with mobilization, rough grading, paths and stone walls. Phase 2 will be the finish grading and capping of the site, utilities, fencing and planting.

A combined ceremony for the groundbreaking for GR/WG and completion of the Ruins stabilization is being planned for early May. Stay tuned for details.

(C) FDR Memorial: FERI is working on engineering and permitting with DEC, Army Corp. of Engineers, Coastguard, etc. FERI has delivered its Environmental Analysis which RIOC’s consultants are reviewing as part of the SEQRA process. The State Budget includes a $4 million capital appropriation to RIOC for the FDR Memorial project, conditioned on a matching $4 million from the City and at least $8 million in the possession of FERI as necessary to complete phase 1. Much remains to be worked out.

3. Tram: Work is underway on design and fabrication. Spools of cable are to be ready for shipping from Europe by early May. Scheduling of tower work, street and park closures, crane locations, etc. with permitting for everything is ongoing. Met with Community Board 8 Transportation Committee on April 7. On schedule for July 6, 2009 shutdown and December reopening. Thornton Tomasetti has undertaken architectural work in addition to its previous structural engineering engagement. As soon as designs and sketches are available, will make available to the community. Studies of present day code requirements (ADA, fire, electrical, lighting, access & egress, communications, security, HVAC and sprinklers for sub-grade rooms, wind, rain and snow barriers, etc.) as applied to both stations is in the works. The last Tram Emergency Evacuation Drill for this equipment is scheduled for the early morning of April 26. We are coordinating with NYPD and NYFD to develop familiarity with and establish protocols for the new system.

4. Red Bus, Tram and Subway: By running the Tram and a connecting Red Bus all night, the late night F train shutdown during the week ending April 10 slipped by without much incident. Now we will do the same for the 36th Avenue bridge closures. See the last item, below.

5. Projects: Grounds cleanup underway. Lighting at Motorgate (we are experimenting by installing two alternative types to test efficacy), replace the exterior of the AVAC building, install replacement chambers for AVAC, repaving portions of Main Street and start on the improvements to PSD. Public Safety has temporarily relocated to 504 Main Street while the work is being done. Flowers for Main Street are here. The benches are restored to the plaza outside our office at 591 Main. Enjoy the spring weather.

6. Sportspark Swimming: In response to requests, morning weekday adult swim hours are 6 to 11 AM especially to accommodate those with child care responsibility. We hope for greater participation.

7. Bank: RIOC received a notice from NYNB that it intends to close its branch at 615 Main Street on June 6, 2009. We met with another institution to urge it to come to the Island, and we are getting encouraging response. Let us hope.

8. Southtown Buildings 5 and 6 moving toward completion. Landscaping being done and interior finishes and fixtures being installed. The roadway in front of the Tram is scheduled for paving. The Ground Rent Increase Deferral Agreement is finalized and will be executed when documentation is obtained from the building loan lender, attorneys, title company, etc.

9. 36th Avenue Bridge: After meeting with representatives of Skanska and DOT to discuss mandatory bridge closings to replace buffers and cables, BE ADVISED that the Bridge will be closed the mornings of April 16 and 17th (was supposed to start the 15th, but got rained out and if it rains on either, then also on the 21st or 22nd) between the hours of 12:30AM and 5:30AM. No vehicles will be able to cross during that time. A similar closing is scheduled for June 29 & 30. We have coordinated with emergency services to station fire, police and EMS responders on Island and to plan for transport and response if necessary. We will run the Tram and coordinating Red Bus during the period of closure to make sure that there is access and egress. We have lived through this situation before, are well aware of the potential difficulty and will do our best to mitigate the disruption. PLEASE MAKE PLANS ACCORDINGLY. Follow the RIOC website for developments and news about the closing.

10. R&R Concert Saturday April 18th at 8:00PM. At the Good Shepherd Community Center. All Bach. Come and enjoy.

11. The Mobile Van for Free Mammograms will be on the Island during the day Saturday April 18th, but is fully booked and it is by appointment only. There will be a return visit on May 30th. If interested in scheduling an appointment, call Erica Wilder at our office (212) 832-4540.
12. Senior MetroCards: Wednesday, April 22 at the Senior Center, 546 Main Street, 10:00AM to 2:00PM, the MTA will have its mobile van to get reduced (1/2) fare MetroCards for those over 65 or with qualifying disabilities. A presentation will also be given regarding Access-A-Ride service.

13. Finally, while there was a firearms incident early on the morning of the 14th, there was a very swift response by NYPD which apprehended the shooter and took custody of the gun. Thankfully, no one was injured.

This message was also published as the RIOC column in the 4/18/09 Main Street WIRE.