Report From RIOC's President - Budget, Board Meeting Procedures, Southpoint Park, Tram Update, Architects Panel & Other Roosevelt Island Issues

Steve Shane (seated on left) Accepts Award For Tram Modernization From Professional Women In Construction. Image From Biznow

RIOC President Steve Shane sends the following report to Roosevelt Island residents. Mr. Shane updates us on:

• RIOC 2010-11 Budget and Board Meeting Procedures
• Tram Modernization on Schedule
• Q102 and Red Bus Schedule
• Southpoint Park Construction Underway
• Various Construction Projects
• Credit Cards Accepted At Motorgate Garage
• Grog Liquor Shop Surrenders Lease
• Architects Panel and
• Patrick Stewart Ends His RIOC Board Tenure

April 8, 2010

1. Board of Directors: At the meeting on March 25, the Board adopted resolutions as to many compliance items, the Budget for fiscal year 2010/11, RIRA’s report to the Board on Public Purpose awards and a scheduling change for Board meetings to all late afternoon (5:30) meetings preceded by a short public comment period. RIOC will maintain a registry on its website where persons interested in speaking before the Board meeting may sign up before the meeting in question.

2. Tram: A. After 6 weeks, the construction is proceeding on schedule. Cables and old cars are removed, demolition and removal of old machinery is almost complete. Tower tops are next. We are monitoring closely.

B. Red Bus service:
(1) Shuttle to Queens Plaza. The ridership was very sparse, so we have DISCONTINUED the shuttle to Queens during the morning rush as of April 1.
(2) Shuttle to Manhattan : Weekdays, operating on the hour beginning at 10 AM, pick-ups starting at Riverwalk Café, then 546 Main and finally on east side of Main opposite PS 217, returning from Manhattan on the half hour. Passenger drop off will be in front of PS 217, Good Shepherd and Riverwalk Cafe. The Manhattan stop is the west side of 2nd Avenue, at the northerly end of the 59-58th Street block. No shuttle into Manhattan during afternoon rush hours 3PM-6 PM EXCEPT there is one bus into Manhattan departing the Island at 3:30 PM and picking up in Manhattan at 4 PM to accommodate returning school children. Resumption of hourly service into Manhattan at 7 PM and returning until 11:30 PM. Weekends, shuttle service into Manhattan starting at 10 AM, hourly throughout the day until 11:00 PM, same pick-ups, returning on the half-hour with the last at 11:30 PM. See the schedules posted on RIOC’s web site and on in the posters throughout the Island. Note that if the F train is not in service, the frequency into and out of Manhattan will be increased to every half hour weekdays, and on weekends, hourly on the hour from the Island starting at midnight until 10AM and every half hour thereafter, returning from Manhattan a half hour after departure. Fares are $1.00, with Seniors, Disabled and Children (5-16) at $.50.

(3) The MTA continues to operate the Q 102 bus on the Island on its published schedule. Starting in April, there will be a route change to eliminate the alternating loops to Coler and Goldwater for those who would use the Q 102 and its transfer into the Metrocard system.

(4) Regular Red Bus service continues on the Island, but because of the increased construction activity at the Tram site and the elimination of the Tram stop during the outage, all regular Red Bus service runs a continuous loop southbound along the East Drive, stopping at Riverwalk Cafe, then looping around to the front of the subway station to resume a northbound run. Those that want to disembark for the subway at Riverwalk Cafe may do so; those who want to ride around to the subway may stay on a stop and do so.

We are keeping ridership statistics and will make further decisions about keeping these shuttle bus runs, in consultation with the Operations Committee, depending on utilization. It does appear that the F train and the MTA are servicing the needs of the residents so far and hope it will continue. I am aware of the discomfort, but it is temporary.

3. Southpoint-FDR Memorial: Construction is underway. State Parks has decided to do the maintenance work itself. The Division of the Budget has issued its Certificate of Approval of Availability as to the State’s $4 million. The FDR group has expended or deposited funds totaling $8.738 million. With the registration of the City’s Funding Agreement as to its $4.738 million with the City Comptroller, all financing will be in place.

4. Southpoint-Green Rooms/Wild Gardens: All permits in hand and work is underway. Final completion is expected by the fall.

5. Projects: A. The contract for engineering study of the status of the helix leading to the Island from the Bridge is let and the study is underway. B. Octagon Soccer Field resurfacing: Work is underway.
C. AVAC, Sportspark, Motorgate, fiber optic cabling, Good Shepherd HVAC, Octagon sewer, street lighting, tot lot improvements, etc. all keep engineering very busy.

6. Blackwell Park and Good Shepherd Plaza: Community participation in the planning process continues.

7. Credit cards at Motorgate: Transient parkers may now use credit cards to pay the parking charges at Motorgate.

8. Grog Shop: The New York State Department of Taxation & Finance has held an auction as to the contents of the Grog Shop for non payment of taxes. The attorney representing the estate of Archie Seale has written surrendering the lease, freeing us to move forward with releasing the premises in which there is a lot of interest. We are well aware of the loss of an important service establishment and will do everything possible to facilitate a favorable resolution for Island residents.

9. Architects’ Panel: I have had the opportunity to meet several architects who are residents on the Island and have suggested that they might form a professional panel who could be used as a resource in reviewing the design of various projects. Leila Vujosevic is pulling the group together and I think it will present both RIOC and RIRA with a terrific asset.

Finally, at the last Board meeting, I had the opportunity, with mixed feelings, to present Patrick Stuart with a plaque and to thank him for his service on the Board from 1999 to 2010. His interest in the matters of Roosevelt Island and his dedication, insight and wit will be missed.

This message also published as the RIOC column in the 4/10/10 Main Street WIRE.