Report From RIOC President Leslie Torres To Roosevelt Island Residents - Tram Opening Delayed To November, UN General Assembly Week & Other RI Issues

Image Of RIOC President Leslie Torres At Bike Sharing Demo

RIOC President Lesie Torres sends the following report to Roosevelt Island residents.

The Annual Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (GA) is under way and New York City is in gridlock. Even Roosevelt Island is affected, from an increased police presence because of the proximity of sight lines from our southern tip to the United Nations, to a delay of our Red Buses on their special run to Manhattan and the postponement of a scheduled police department security inspection of our new tram system. And, although President Obama does not have us on his route as he visits the GA, with so many UN families living on Roosevelt Island, we are truly part of the diverse tapestry that makes up New York City. Though experiencing some delays, we, however, are not in gridlock – as this week’s review of our projects, upcoming activities and events demonstrate.

Major Projects Underway:
Tram Opening – The updated schedule to open both the north and south lanes of the tram have been moved to November. Although RIOC, along with our tram contractors had hoped to re-open by mid October, several delays have made that impossible. Even though the engineering work is near completion, the tram system will have to go through a variety of inspections by the State Department of Labor (DOL), as well as New York City emergency services, before it is formally certified by DOL as ready for operation. Our goal continues to be to have a safe and beautiful tram in operation as soon as humanly possible. The tram cabins have arrived. If you would like to sneak a peak, for the next few days, they will be located in the parking lot east of the Riverwalk oval lawn area.
As previously reported, rather than further delaying re-opening, the renovation of the two stations will be performed after the restart of tram operations. Construction work on the stations will be, to the best of our ability, coordinated with non-peak tram schedules, minimizing travel disruptions. Completion of the station work is scheduled for spring 2011.

FDR Memorial – Phase I construction is on schedule, and construction of phase IIA has started ahead of expectations. On September 13th, the Governor and Mayor were both on hand at a ceremony celebrating the arrival of the first granite blocks for the memorial.
Southpoint Open Space (Green Rooms Wild Gardens) – The comfort station has been delivered and assembled. Paving of the east drive near Strecker Lab has begun. Fall planting has begun and opening date is scheduled for spring 2011. We are working closely with the FDR Memorial developers to coordinate our two projects and create a smooth transition between the two areas.

Other Projects in Progress:

AVAC – Installation of the first of two new compacters has been completed. Delivery of the second compactor is expected shortly. The NYC Department of Sanitation is sprucing up the interior of the AVAC building in time for Open House New York (OHNY). RIOC’s AVAC facility (along with other Island venues) has been chosen as a venue for New Yorkers to visit as part of the OHNY October 8 & 9, city-wide program. See below - Upcoming Events - for additional information.

Island Security Camera System – Phase I (installation of cameras from Motorgate to 504 Main Street) is to be completed by the end of this month. Phase II (from 504 to Southpoint Park) discussions are in progress.

Motorgate Roof Waterproofing & Stairwells – The stairwell work has been completed. Waterproofing of the rooftop and the exterior of the stairwell bulkheads is 40% finished with estimated completion at the end of November.

Good Shepherd HVAC – Full system replacement. Demolition of the old system has been completed and shop drawings are being prepared for approval. Project completion is estimated for the end of November.

Approved Projects to be started this Spring:
Good Shepherd Plaza – Restoration of the Plaza including alleviation of drainage problems was expected to start Oct 3rd. After meeting with the contractor who was the successful bidder, it became evident that the work could not be completed before winter, when it would have to halt due to weather and resumed in the spring. To minimize disruption, RIOC has determined to postpone the beginning of the project to spring 2011, in order to complete the work from start to finish without interruption. We are also investigating the replacement of the existing stairway at the south side of the plaza leading to the Rivercross lobby with an ADA compliant ramp.

Projects in Design & in RFP Stages:
Octagon Field Border Landscaping – The new soccer field re-opened on August 26th, to great community acclaim. Photographs are available on the RIOC website at rioc.ny.gov/ A Request for Proposals to replace trees along the west side of the soccer field has been issued and responses are due September 24th. We hope to start work later this fall.

Good Shepherd Roof Replacement – Responses to a Request for Proposals from qualified architects to provide plans and specifications for the roofing replacement were due September 14th. The responses are currently being evaluated. The replacement work will be scheduled to start in spring 2011.

Blackwell House Interior Renovation and Disabled Accessible Ramp – Proposals are being reviewed and we are pursuing some value engineering opportunities to keep costs down. Because some funding is being provided by New York City, a VENDEX check (City system to verify contractors’ bona fides) is required. Once the lengthy City approval process is completed, the project is expected to require six (6) months to complete.

Public Safety Noise Attenuation Project - The air conditioning system for the Public Safety Department unfortunately produces some unanticipated noise in the Roosevelt Landings courtyard area behind 550 Main Street. We are currently reviewing proposals to install sound attenuating shielding to address this problem.

Sportspark Activities:

Sportspark Activities have been expanded again. Beginning October 2nd, Wheelchair Basketball will be introduced from 10am to 1pm every Saturday at Sportspark. Please see the RIOC website for last minute changes to expanded pool, ping-pong and basketball hours.

Pool Schedule ($5 fee per adult, $3 for kids 3-17 and free for Seniors):

• Master Swim- Monday and Friday from 7:30pm to 8:30pm
• Senior Water Aerobics- Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 10pm
• Adult Water Aerobics- Sunday from noon to 1pm
• Adult Learn to Swim- Sunday from 1pm to 3pm

Ping Pong (No charge):

• Free Play- Tuesday and Friday from 6pm to 9pm
• Classes- Wednesday from 6pm to 9pm
Basketball (No charge):
• Open recreation on Saturdays (two sessions)- 10am to 1pm; 2pm to
6pm

Recent Community Events:
Hispanic Heritage Month – On Sept. 18th, to kick off Hispanic Heritage month on Roosevelt Island, the Willie Viallegas Entre Amigos Band performed classic Latino music at the Meditation Steps and provided a detailed history of its development and influences on other genre’s of contemporary music. To view pictures from the event, please visit rioc.ny.gov/

Upcoming Events:
Run For Congo - a 5K run held annually on Roosevelt Island, is scheduled for September 25 at 9am. For signup information, please visit www.runforcongowomen.org or rioc.ny.org

Fall for Arts – Annual Arts, Food and Fun Festival will be celebrated October 2nd, in Blackwell Park and the Rivercross lawn. Festivities include “hands on” art and craft workshops for all ages, Performance of Oedipus Rex at the Amphitheatre, a live performance by the popular drum and bass group “Hank & Cupcakes”. There will be puppet shows for the children, food and much more. In partnership with the RIVAA Gallery. For more information, please visit rioc.ny.gov/

Open House New York- On October 8th & 9th, Roosevelt Island will be a host site for the annual city-wide Open House New York celebration, where our fair City shows off its best features. From 9-4 New Yorkers can have escorted tours of AVAC, the Octagon lobby, Sportspark and the Roosevelt Island Historical Society information kiosk.

From the RIOC Archives - On October 25th at Sportspark, a panel discussion co-sponsored with the Roosevelt Island Historical Society will be held, exploring some of the materials from the RIOC Archives.

Roosevelt Island’s Annual Halloween Parade – On Saturday, October 30th, in partnership with Urban America, managers of Roosevelt Landings, the parade of ghosts and goblins begins at Blackwell House at 12 P.M. and continues on to PS 217. Everyone is encouraged to come dressed in a Halloween costume. More fun and festivities are planned for immediately after the parade at Capobianco Field. In the event of rain, festivities will be held inside PS 217.

A version of the RIOC President's column will also appears on RIOC's web site and the September 25, 2010 Main Street WIRE.