Roosevelt Island On The Web Links

Roosevelt Island on the Web Links as appearing in the April 10 2010 Main Street WIRE.

Roosevelt Islander - NY State Funded Construction Suspension Exempts FDR Memorial?
Roosevelt Island School G & T Class - 2010 PS/IS 217 School Survey
You Tube - Main Street Theater's Side by Side by Sondheim
You Tube - Walk Around Roosevelt Island
Scribd - FDR Memorial NYC Funding Agreement
Scribd - FDR Memorial RIOC Development Agreetment
Scribd - FDR Memorial RIOC Letter Agreement
Scribd - FDR Memorial Escrow Agreement
Twitpic - Sakura Blossoms on Roosevelt Island
Caspert Auctioneers - Grog Liquor Shop Auction
RIOC - March RIOC Board of Directors Meeting Webcast
RIOC - Use Public Safety Department Air Pump For Bikes and Basketballs
RIOC - Easter Egg Hunt Photo Slideshow
RIOC - Health & Fitness Day Sign Up
You Tube - Roosevelt Island Toastmasters
You Tube - Twisted Traceurs Roosevelt Island Leaps
The Gondola Project - Tram Toys For Tourists
Ramblings Of Amazingness - Impact of Doorman Strike on Roosevelt Island Census
New York Mag - Unintelligible Subway Directions Lead To Roosevelt Island
AM New York - Tram Leather Straps Last Of Its Kind
Gothamist - Pioneer Aviatrix Who Landed on Roosevelt Island Dies
Brooklyn Paper - B'klyn Bridge Park Steps Come From Roosevelt Island
Pigtails Flying - Likes Running Around Roosevelt Island
Nileguide - Explores Roosevelt Island
Lady Holiday - Springtime Roosevelt Island Walk
Graduate Grumblings - Roosevelt Island, Best Of Brooklyn & Manhattan
Nurses Blog - New Nurse Succeeds Aunt At Coler Goldlwater Hospital
Amha Mogus - Bike Riding on Roosevelt Island Bridge
Twitpic - Upper East Side Zip Car on Roosevelt Island
Yfrog - Tightrope Walking On Tram Line

Visit The Roosevelt Island Farmers Market - Get Fresh Fruit, Vegetables, Cannolis, Pickles, Olives, Polish Sausage, Cheese, Quiche, Bread & More

What happened to the beautiful weather? Yesterday was great and today is dreary.

Don't despair tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and nice though not quite as hot as yesterday.

The good weather is on the mind of the most recent addition to Saturday's Roosevelt Island Farmers Market, pastry chef's La Bella Torte who tweeted:

Okay, people the warm weather is here. Com on out Saturday to the Roosevelt Island Island Farmers market. We'll... http://bit.ly/dD3t7G

La Bella Torte's owners introduced themselves at the April RIRA Meeting and expressed interest in opening a pastry shop here on Roosevelt Island. Why not stop by their booth at the Farmers Market tomorrow, say hi and have a cannoli?

The Roosevelt Island Farmers Market is offering quite a bit of product variety. They have fresh vegetables

and fruits,

pickles and olives,

an assortment of fresh mozzarella cheese, breads, homemade ravioli and chicken entrees from Hoboken Farms ,


Stefan & Sons home made Polish sausage, pierogi and stuffed cabbage.


as well as quiche and other gourmet delights from Yona's.


Sometimes, if Roosevelt Island residents are really lucky there is the good bread from Pain d'Avignon that is sold to benefit the Marlins swimming team.

If you want you can even get some tchotchkes too.


I just wish the vendors would accept electronic payments with credit or debit cards. RIOC Director Jonathan Kalkin tweets about how this can happen.

Roosevelt Island Garage now accepts cards! Going to inform the farmers market/other merchants about https://squareup.com/ so they can too!

If you are interested in becoming a vendor at the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market, here's how.

UPDATE 4/12- Received the following information from Nikki Leopold of the PS/IS 217 PTA who organize the Farmers Market:

For information on space rental at the farmers market, please contact Nikki Leopold at psis217info@gmail,com.

Also, I am attaching the vendors agreement that all vendors must sign in order to set up. Vendors must contact us a week in advance in order to set up.
Farmers Market Vendor Application

Roosevelt Island, A Land Without Dogs No More - But What Can Be Done About Irresponsible Owners Not Cleaning Poop & Unleashed Dogs?

You Tube Video of Roosevelt Island Puppies

Commenting on this post last summer about dogs being banned from some sections of Gantry State Park across the river in Long Island City, a reader recently wrote:

Dogs owners in RI are not obeying the leash law, the clean-after-your-dog law, not even in the assigned dog run enclosures, as you see posted signs there, too, begging owners to pick up after their beauties. I have noticed that most of the public signs about these laws have been removed. And there is poop everywhere. Owners are letting their pets destroy our gardens, grass, beautiful trees, and landscaped areas, and it is a shame. Our common green areas are the greatest asset about RI.

I have often seen and heard from many other Roosevelt Island residents complaining about dog owners not cleaning up after their pets,

not obeying the curb your dog signs

and allowing their dogs to run unleashed. RIOC has started to pay attention to this problem by banning dogs from Firemen's Field in Southtown


although some dog owners are still disobeying the law and common courtesy as this person was who just exited Firemen's Field with his dog.

I inquired of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Chief Keith Guerra:

I have been receiving messages from residents complaining that dogs owners are not sufficiently cleaning up after their pets and leaving the dog droppings on the grass in the Southtown area as well as in Blackwell Park. Besides just being disgusting to look at, it becomes a health hazard for children and others who want to play or just walk on the grass. This has become a real issue in degrading the quality of life here on Roosevelt Island.

Is there a Public Safety Department Policy regarding dog owners who don't clean up after their pets or allow them to run around unleashed in areas outside of the Dog Runs? Have any tickets been issued in such cases? Also what does the "Curb Your Dog Sign" mean? Must owners insure that their dogs urinate and defecate at the street curb or does it just mean they have to clean up after them.

I have noticed that signs have been placed in front of Firemen's Field advising that "NO Dogs Allowed". That's a good start but I have already seen at least one person ignoring it by walking their dog on the field.

Mr.Guerra responded:

The Public Safety Department has received calls regarding dog owners not picking up after their dogs. Unfortunately, by the time we respond to the location, the person is usually gone. However, if someone is seen by a Public Safety Officer not picking up after their dog, they can be ticketed.

Dogs are also not permitted to run loose in non-designated areas. "Curb your Dog" signs refer to just that. Dogs must be kept on a leash.

"No Dogs Allowed" signs are authorized to be placed on private property. If a person disobeys any of the posted signs, they fall subject to being ticketed as well.

Please note that Public Safety Officers can use discretion and choose to issue a verbal warning in lieu of a ticket.

Residents need to use good judgement in these areas, as they do affect the Quality of Life here on the island. Encourage your readers to be good neighbors by keeping their dogs on a leash and picking up after them as well.

According to RIOC President Steve Shane:

Complaints about dog walkers not properly cleaning up after their pets have been made. There will be increased enforcement of the leash laws, including the obvious clean up responsibility to everyone’s neighbors.

Southtown's Related management sent the following memo to Rivewalk residents concerning dogs on the communal lawns.

Portion of Riverwalk Commons Area

From Riverwalk Management:

RE: Dogs on the Communal Lawn

The lawn between 405 Main Street, 415 Main Street and 425 Main Street is intended for passive recreation.

We currently allow dogs on the lawns with their care takers provided that all dogs are curbed. In addition to curbing dogs while on the lawn it is imperative that when playing with dogs on the lawn the ground floor units are not impacted.

Dogs will continue to be permitted on the lawn as long as it remains a clean and safe environment for everyone. However, if concerns arise in the future the lawn will become a dog-free zone.

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

Dog running unleashed today on Riverwalk Commons

Of course, there are responsible dog owners who are cleaning up after their dogs and not allowing them to run unleashed. They should not be punished or chastised for those acting irresponsibly and selfishly.

You know there was a time when dogs were not allowed on Roosevelt Island.

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

RIRA President On Blood Drive, Gristedes Complaints, Good Shepherd Renovations, Red Bus Problems & Future Meetings

Image of April RIRA Meeting

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

1. RIRA Blood Drive on June 19, Roosevelt Island Day. You'll see us at the Saturday market asking you to volunteer. Certainly, donating blood saves and, if that is not enough attraction, there will be apple juice and Oreos afterwards. Up through age 30, I still had been squeamish about donating -- the needle and all that stuff. Then a mentor told me: it's really the right thing to do, think how you can help someone else's life. I got over it. Please consider donating blood. Thanks to Matt Katz for organizing this.

2. Dear Mr. Gristedes, I still haven't heard from you. In my last WIRE column, I complained about spending $300 on groceries, but they were spoiled when delivered an hour later (I did not accept delivery). Your manager refused to refund the money. I called the credit card company to dispute the charge and it still is not resolved. Maybe you could explain to us residents why you think it is OK to deliver spoiled groceries, why your manager finds this to be an acceptable level of service for the community, and why you make it difficult to get a refund.

3. Renovating Good Shepherd Church Plaza. Matt Katz (Chair of RIRA Planning Committee) reports:

Katz welcomed the group, saying that, while the meeting was under the auspices of the RIRA Planning Committee, a formal sub-committee had not been formed and that the meeting was, at least at present, an ad hoc response to Abramson's request to discuss the Good Shepherd Plaza renovation project with community stakeholders. He noted that the invitation list included management and tenant representatives from the building complexes abutting the Plaza; RIOC, RIOC Board and RIRA reps; as well as organizers of the events that use the space. Approximately half of those invited were attending.

Turcic, RIOC Chief Engineer, presented the plan. He said there was little change involved, and that the proposed HVAC upgrade was the only element that requires approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The cooling tower in the Chapel belfry is to be replaced by a ground-level condenser just west of the side entrance that will be covered by a wooden barrier. The red slate pavers are to be replaced, drainage will be reconfigured, bench locations are to be reconsidered and the tall lights will be replaced by ten-foot lights similar to the ones on Main Street and with new eight-foot lights at the west entrance doors.

Turcic indicated that subsidence has caused drainage problems. The north-south-running drains on the east and west sides of the Chapel will remain, but the other north-west-running drain, located near the back of the Chapel, would be replaced by east-west-running trench drains where the concrete stripes now break up the red tile pattern. In addition, the squared-off concrete apron at the eastern (apse) end of the structure would be rounded to conform to the shape of the building. Will there be any interior Chapel work? Turcic responded, "No".

Other questions ... What color the proposed herringbone brick would be? Turcic said it could match the present color with concrete pavers, still broken up by concrete stripes. Why the present red pavers would be replaced using a small herringbone pattern? Turcic said that the interlocking pattern would last longer. When asked about existing stocks of Z-brick, Turcic said there was none left and that it was no longer manufactured. He said that the Plaza sub-base was crushed concrete covered by sand, and noted that two-inch bricks would replace the existing, more fragile one-inch pavers.

Turcic said that Alex Herrera of the Landmarks Conservancy was assisting in the choice of a wooden barrier to camouflage the HVAC installation. Residents provided comments, including asked if it was possible to have no air conditioning. Turcic said the air conditioning upgrade already had been put out to bid (due by April 5). Presently this current air conditioning system is not operational and its replacement won't be completed by this summer. Turcic noted that the existing cooling system was inefficient and would be replaced by a more efficient method that can be directed to the level where people are congregating. He said the new system would cut energy costs by half.

Katz asked the group to consider next steps. Abramson suggested another meeting to discuss design elements such as herringbone brick (or another surface), planters, moveable furniture and so on. She noted that construction would probably start in the fall (September? October?) so as not to disrupt summer activities and would require about three months to complete. Katz noted that the Fall for Arts performances would need another venue in this case.

4. The Red Bus still has problems. This is an ongoing problem for three years. Residents keep providing suggestions and Mr. Martinez (RIOC VP of Operations) ignores them. We complained about this in 2007 and 2008. In 2009, Mr. Martinez agreed to try some experiments. We tried the experiments (which improved the bus scheduling and validated the residents suggestions), but Mr. Martinez chose not to incorporate them into the schedule. These same strategies could be used now so regular bus service is provided ever 15 minutes (rather than two buses back-to-back every 30 minutes). These same strategies would also show why the present bus route (southbound stop on by Riverwalk Common) won't work when the tram returns -- and they don't work now as bus drives do not continue directly from Riverwalk Commons to the subway stop.

Story #1, AWOL on the South End on Saturday: A resident reported the following:

2:17 PM #1 Bus arrived at Riverwalk stop. All passengers disembarked. (0 min)

2:17-2:20 PM - #1 Bus idled at Riverwalk stop. Departed Riverwalk stop. (3 min.)

2:29 PM - #1 Bus arrives at subway stop (9 minutes!!!)

The $1 Million Question: Why did it take the bus 9 minutes to make the "continuous" loop from the Riverwalk stop to the Subway stop???

Story #2, AWOL on the North End on Sunday: Three buses go northbound past Gristede's, do not return for a half hour, even though there is a dispatcher on duty. On Sunday night, about a dozen residents were waiting at Motorgate for the red bus. I arrived at 8:05, others were their 5-10 minutes before me, one bus already has gone northbound. At 8:07, I tried looking at the Nextbus schedule, which communicates with the GPS systems in the buses. During the next 14 minutes, two buses northbound (for a total of 3), only one returned at 8:21. Here's a minute-by-minute summary:

Time Nextbus
8:07 11 min.
8:08 9 min.
8:09 6 min.
8:10 4 min.
8:11 3 min. (a bus coming shortly, but actually 10 minutes away)
8:12 3 min.
8:13 2 min.
8:14 11 min.
8:15 9 min.
8:16 6 min.
8:17 2 min.
8:18 6 min.
8:19 4 min.
8:20 3 min.
8:21 3 min. (bus arrives ahead of Nextbus schedule)

It's clear that this system doesn't help passengers. At 8:10 with a Nextbus prediction of 4 minutes, you might think the bus was Just Around the Corner, but in fact you would have been better off walking because the bus arrived much later than predicted. Likewise at 8:20, if you though you had time to run downstairs from Motorgate or River Road, the bus arrived early and you would have missed your bus.

I spoke to RIOC Board Member Jonathan Kalkin about this. He said there are adjustments and calibration needed for Nextbus, and sometimes the drivers leave the GPS system on while they are taking buses to Manhattan. I pointed out that this explanation might be plausible if we were waiting south of the helix, but there were 2-3 buses already on their way to Octagon, so this isn't a problem with the driver and the GPS, but with the Nextbus system itself. Kalkin and I agreed to work together on these problems.

Overall, there is multiple problems here, and they all land on Martinez' desk:

— there is an ongoing refusal to listen to residents' experiences on what works/fails (Martinez, 3 years experience; residents, 30+ years experience);
— regardless of the demonstrated success of residents' suggestions, he refuses to incorporate them into the operations;
— problems that might be caused by RIOC's staff are ignored and not addressed, e.g., bus drivers improperly maneuvering into the bus loading dock that caused passengers to cross outside of the crosswalk, which might have contributed to the cause of the accidents near the subway
— directing the RIOC traffic engineer to only look at RIOC solutions and not at residents' solutions and concerns

I've spoken to several RIOC board members and they aren't happy about this situation. Regardless of all the politics, the obvious failure here is: RIOC continues to not deliver consistent and reliable red bus service on a simple, 2-mile loop with a half-dozen stops. This isn't rocket science. This a management failure at RIOC.

5. Upcoming RIRA meetings. The next Common Council meeting is May 5 at 8:00 p.m. in the Good Shepherd Community Center. Upcoming RIRA Town Hall meetings (in preparation for RIOC Board meetings) are on April 28 and June 16.

The RIRA President's message is also published as the RIRA column in the 4/10/10 Main Street WIRE.

No Roosevelt Island Manhattan Bound F Train Service Sunday April 11, 12 AM To 12 PM - RIOC To Provide Extra Red Bus Service

You Tube Video of Roosevelt Island Manhattan Bound F Train

A reminder - Roosevelt Island residents will experience our first scheduled weekend subway service disruption during the Tram Shutdown this Sunday. From a RIOC Advisory:

Please be advised on Sunday, April 11, 2010 there will be no Southbound F Train service from 12:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Red Bus service will run every half hour to Manhattan during the disruption period.

Thank you for your cooperation.

From the MTA service advisory page for April 11.

F Stillwell Av-bound trains run on the V from Roosevelt Av to 5 Av/53 St

Weekend, 12:01 AM to noon Sunday, Apr 11

Trains skip 21 St-Queensbridge, Roosevelt Island, Lexington Av-63 St, and 57 St.

For service to these stations, take the F to 47-50 Sts and transfer to a 179 St-bound F.

For service from these stations, take 179 St-bound F to Roosevelt Av and transfer to a Stillwell Av-bound F.

Note: Trains run express from Roosevelt Av to Queens Plaza.

Plan accordingly.

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.

Roosevelt Island Outside Jurisdiction Of NYC Design Commission - FDR Memorial Boondoggle Need Not Be Submitted To Or Approved By Arts Body

Image From FDR Four Freedoms Park

An update to post on Governor Patterson's suspension of NY State funded construction projects and how that might impact the FDR Four Freedoms Park Memorial boondoggle which is to receive $4 million in State funds yet is exempt from the State's construction suspension. Part of that post questioned why the project was not submitted to and approved by the NYC Design Commission which:

... reviews permanent works of art, architecture and landscape architecture proposed on or over City-owned property. Projects include construction, renovation or restoration of buildings, such as museums and libraries; creation or rehabilitation of parks and playgrounds; installation of lighting and other streetscape elements; and design, installation and conservation of artwork.

I sent this email to the NYC Design Commission stating that I:

... am trying to find out if the proposed FDR Memorial design including sculpture bust of FDR and Landscape design for Southpoint Park on Roosevelt Island has been submitted to and approved by the NYC Design Commission. To your knowledge has the project been submitted to the Design Commission and since it is on Roosevelt Island, which is leased by the City to the State, need it be.

and received this reply from NYC Design Commission Spokesman Jason Post:

I am responding to your inquiry to the New York City Public Design Commission.

The statutes creating the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC), which are in Chapter 196 of the New York State Unconsolidated Laws, provide broad exemption from local law, but that exemption only applies to structures on the island.

That said, the Department of Parks & Recreation and RIOC submitted the construction of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park to the Design Commission for a courtesy review on 4/27/09. Design Commission members were pleased with the design, noting that not including a barrier rail along the waterfront would increase the intensity and enjoyment of the visitors’ experience. They also commended the tree selection, but suggested using stabilized stone dust (instead of cobble) over the trees near the “room,” noting that this material has worked successfully at Hudson River Park.

The Manhattan station rehabilitation was submitted for binding review on 11/16/09, but when Design Commission members expressed concern about the proposed design, the board of the RIOC, which as a state agency has the power to override local law, passed a resolution waiving the requirement for Design Commission review.

I replied:

Thank you very much for your response to my inquiry regarding NYC Design Commission and the FDR Four Freedoms Park (FDR Memorial) proposed for Southpoint Park, Roosevelt Island.

However, the response fails to explain why the project was not formally submitted to NYC Design Commission, a Public Hearing held and an Approval or Rejection of the project rendered.

You state that the statute creating RIOC provides broad exemptions from local law, presumably involving the jurisdiction of NYC Design Commission, but that the exemption only applies to "structures" on Roosevelt Island. The proposed FDR Memorial is not a structure, but a waterfront open space park with landscaped grounds, a bust of FDR and a three-sided granite "sculpture room" with no roof. Is this roofless, three sided "sculpture room" the "structure" that you assert negates NYC Design Commission jurisdiction over the FDR Memorial?

If the sculpture room is a "structure", the rest of the approximately 3 acre unstructured landscaped park should certainly be under the jurisdiction of NYC Design Commission and submitted for public review. If it is not a "structure" then the entire FDR Memorial should be submitted to a public hearing before the NYC Design Commission.

Southpoint Park is a unique location with unparalleled panoramic 360 degree views of the East River Waterfront and NYC skyline. Before those views are obscured, or more accurately destroyed by the FDR Memorial and green grass land replaced by concrete, a public hearing should be convened so that all concerns can be heard, not a self serving "courtesy" presentation with only supporters of the project in attendance.

Therefore, can the NYC Design Commission please explain why the FDR Memorial proposed for Roosevelt Island is exempted from it's jurisdiction even though the FDR Memorial is not, in whole or substantial part, a structure which you assert is the basis for that exemption.

I appreciate your consideration of this matter

Mr. Post answered:

To clarify, the statutes in Chapter 196 of the New York State Unconsolidated Laws exempt RIOC from Design Commission review for anything constructed on the island itself, including art, architecture, landscape architecture and streetscape design.

I guess I got my answer. Unlike any other part of New York City, Roosevelt Island is completely outside the jurisdiction of the NYC Design Commission.

Image of FDR Memorial Sculpture Room (AKA Death Box) From Village Voice Runnin Scared Blog

Roosevelt Island Assembly Member Micah Kellner Introduces Bill To Repeal LLC Publication Requirement - Sign Why 2 K Petition & Help NY Entrepreneurs

Image of Assembly Member Micah Kellner

Roosevelt Island's Assembly Member Micah Kellner, whose district also includes Manhattan's Upper East Side, has introduced a bill that will make New York start up entrepreneurs and emerging businesses very happy - the repeal of the publication requirement for Limited Liability Companies (LLC) announcing their formation.

Image from Amazon

According to Crains NY Business:

A group of techies is launching an effort today to get the state to eliminate the law compelling new limited liability corporations to publish notices announcing their formation. The requirement costs fledgling businesses up to $2,000.

New York law requires every new LLC to announce its existence in two print publications such as Crain's for six consecutive weeks, within 120 days of formation...

The New York Tech Meetup group is leading the efforts (referred to as Why 2 K) to repeal the publishing requirement for LLC's asserting:

1. The publication requirement (along with standard corporate filing fees) can cost as much as $2,000 (which is over 10 times the cost of forming or operating an LLC in Delaware ($140.00) and California ($70.00), and 4 times the cost of forming or operating in Massachusetts ($500)). This is a very expensive burden for New York to place on emerging businesses, especially when the requirement has no discernable benefit;
2. Any person starting a new business would prefer to spend this money more strategically;
3. The law often leads business owners to select a less suitable business entity, such as a corporation (which is inappropriate for many types of early-stage companies) as an alternative to complying with the publication requirement. It might be noted that the publication requirement actually cuts against the purpose of the New York Limited Liability Company Law which was to create an entity with limited liability, more flexibility, fewer formalities and tax advantages; and
4. The law often causes business owners to consider forming in a different state, robbing New York of business revenue and jobs.

The LLC formation publication requirement is also unnecessary since the information is already available online. According to Assembly Member Kellner:

This law made sense when print publications were the primary method of communication, but that's no longer the case. In the internet era, this is a no-brainer. I have heard from a lot of constituents who tell me about how the burdensome costs of these pointless ads stand in their way as they try to start small businesses -- everyone from piano teachers to graphic artists and many more. They're forced to pay thousands of dollars for ads nobody sees. The current situation is killing jobs -- my bill fixes this by putting the notices online, at a fraction of the cost.

If you support this initiative to repeal the LLC publishing requirement please sign the NY Tech Meetup Why 2 K online petition available here.

Blackberry Stolen & Another Attempted Theft Of Roosevelt Island Iphone Near Subway

Image of Blackberry Phone From Slipperbrick

Commenting on yesterday's post about a Roosevelt Island Good Samaritan who chased after two thieves attempting to rob a woman of her cell phone by the Subway Station at 9:35 PM on April 6, a reader wrote:

I think these people tried to steal my phone as well. Yesterday as I was walking home from the subway 3 boys tried to rip my phone out of my hand. Luckily they didn't succeed and once I started screaming they left me alone. Hopefully they catch who did this.

The Roosevelt Island Public Safety Report for 4/7 - 4/8 provides some additional information:

Attempted Robbery- Three males approached a female and attempted to take the cell phone from her hand. Female screamed and subjects fled. PSD responded and conducted a search with negative results. NYPD refused. No injuries.

Unfortunately, this Blackberry owner was not so lucky:

Grand Larceny- Male youth took a blackberry from a female and fled. PSD responded and conducted a search with negative results. No injuries. EMS refused. NYPD refused.

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Chief Keith Guerra indicated yesterday that:

Our Ant-Crime Officers are looking further into the matter.

Stay Alert!

UPDATE 12:45 PM - Mr. Guerra adds the following information regarding yesterday's incidents:

At 4:04 PM, there was an attempted robbery of an I-phone by the west seawall. Thankfully, the victim was not injured and did not lose her phone, as she screamed loudly, and the unknown male subject fled southbound.

At 9:40 PM, an unknown male snatched a blackberry out of a woman's hand by the meditation steps and fled northbound.

Neither victim could give a full description of the male involved, but in both incidents, the male subject was described as African-American.

While neither victim did anything wrong, we do ask that everyone be aware of their surroundings while using their phones.

Poets Rock Roosevelt Island's Gallery RIVAA On Friday Night - Celebrate National Poetry Month With Alphabet Coffeehouse, Flatbush & More

Image From Gallery RIVAA

This Friday night Poets will Rock Roosevelt Island's Gallery RIVAA starting at 8 PM with Mike Marcellino and Gil Fagiani as well as singer-songwriters Stacy Rock and Chris Fuller. According to Gallery RIVAA:

“Poetry is music of the soul.” Notebook Writer host, poet Mike Marcellino discovers what Voltaire meant by that with his guests – poets Gil Fagiani, Queens, NY, who will read from his new collection about Spanish Harlem in the 1960s, “A Blanquito In El Barrio”(Rain Mountain Press); Jane Ormerod, from New York City, who will read from her new book of poems, “Recreational Vehicles on Fire” (Three Rooms Press); Erica Miriam Fabri, NYC poet & performance artist, author of “Dialect of a Skirt” (Hanging Loose Press) and Babs Martin, Tulsa, OK, songwriter and vocalist with “Babs Martin and the Trip” who will perform songs from her new album, “Awake in the Fog” Mike introduces his new recording, “Alphabet Coffeehouse” and talks with special guest Tad Sudol, president of the non-profit Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association, which operates Gallery RIVAA. Mike, Gil and Jane will perform in a two-part poetry and music series to mark National Poetry Month at Gallery RIVAA, 527 Main St., New York at 8pm, Friday, April 9 and 4pm, Saturday, April 24....

More about Mike Marcellino,

Stacy Rock

and Chris Fuller.

Give it a try.

Roosevelt Island Good Samaritan Helps Another Resident Retrieve Stolen Iphone - Good Job!

Iphone Thief Image From Maximum PC

The 4/6 - 4/ 7 Roosevelt Island Daily Public Safety Report included this incident:

Robbery- Two male subjects forcible took an I phone from a female in the street. Witness ran after them. The cell phone was thrown on the ground. The witness returned the phone to the owner. PSD responded and conducted a search for the subjects with negative results. PSD crime unit to file a police report.

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Chief Keith Guerra provides some additional details:

The Good Samaritan was a male who witnessed the I-phone being snatched out of the woman's hand. When he yelled and started chasing the subject, the I-phone was immediately dropped to the side by the fleeing subject. The Good Samaritan picked it up and returned it to the woman - who suffered no injuries. Our Ant-Crime Officers are looking further into the matter.

Mr. Guerra adds the incident occurred:

Yesterday, April 6th at approximately 9:35PM in front of 400 Main St. (Train Station).

Roosevelt Island Residents Association April Common Council Meeting Tonight 8 PM - Come Find Out What Is Going On & Ask Questions

Image of December 2009 RIRA Meeting

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council will be meeting tonight at the Good Shepherd Community Center's Lower Level Room at 8 PM. The RIRA Common Council is composed of residents elected from each of the Roosevelt Island buildings. If you are interested in learning what's going on here on Roosevelt Island - Come On Down!

Prior to the start of the meeting there is an opportunity for the public to question and present any issues of concern to the Council.

Have not received the Agenda yet but will post when I do.

UPDATE 6:30 PM - Here's the April RIRA Common Council Agenda:

AGENDA

Date: Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Time: 8:00 P.M. - Finish
Place: Good Shepherd Community Center, 543 Main Street
1. Public Session (8:00)
- Vision 2020: A New Comprehensive Waterfront Plan
- Cornell University Study
- Vendors from Saturday Market

2. Roll Call (8:35)
X 3. Approval of Agenda (8:40)
4. Approval of Minutes (8:45)
X - March 3 minutes
5. Treasurer’s Report (8:50)
- Report
6. President's Report (8:55)
7. Committee Reports (9:05)
Planning - M. Katz
Communications - E. Erickson
Government Relations - A. Barfield
Public Safety - E. Feely-Nahem
Housing - J. Mincheff
Social, Cultural and Educational Services - N. Leopold
Island Services - A. Hamburger

8. Old Business (9:45)
9. New Business (10:00)
X - RIRA Blood Drive
X - RIRA Elections
- Discussion of RIOC user fees for Island residents
X - Donation for advertisement in Main Street Children and Teen Theatre program

10. Adjourn
X Agenda items requiring action
Town Hall Meeting for March RIOC Board Meeting: Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 8-9:30PM
Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 5, 2010 (Mailing Deadline: April 30, 2010)
Future Meetings: June 2, Septmber 15, October 6, November 3

RIOC Wins Award From Construction Women For Tram Modernization Project As Work Proceeds, Old Parts Stored & New Uses Sought For Cabins

Image From Professional Women In Construction

The Roosevelt Island Tram has been shut down and out of service for the last 5 weeks as it undergoes it's Modernization program which just won one of The Future In Progress Awards from the Professional Women In Construction. The award will be presented to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. (RIOC) President Steve Shane today although the Tram is not scheduled to resume operation until late August/Early September 2010.

Image From Professional Women In Construction (Click Image To Enlarge)

How is the Tram Modernization project proceeding? Mr. Shane reports (Item 2) on the project's status:

Tram:
A. After 4 weeks since shutdown on March 1, the construction is proceeding apace, on schedule. We are monitoring closely.

On April 2, Paul Sahner (who writes the excellent NYC Grid photoblog) passed by the Tram Station and tweeted:

The support and drag cables for the Roosevelt Island Tram have been removed from their tracks and are hanging from the middle of the towers

but before the ropes came down another person spotted a:

Man tight rope walking on the now defunct roosevelt island tram. Can you spot him?

Image from Yfrog by Lydia Leavitt

Click on the image to enlarge and you will see him.

Anyone curious about what happened to the old Roosevelt Island Tram parts? Some parts, including the yellow gears


and red rescue buckets


are being stored in a Southtown fenced construction pen and the Tram Cabins are resting comfortably

Image of Trams At Motorgate by Judith Berdy

or not

Image of Tram Graveyard by Mike Patterson

in the Motorgate area.

What will become of the Tram Cabins. Nobody knows for sure yet but during the March 24 RIRA Town Hall Meeting Mr. Shane

Image of March 24 RIRA Town Hall Meeting

mentioned two possible uses for the Roosevelt Island Tram Cabins. One idea is to use at least one of the cabins as a cafe to be situated in Southpoint Park. Another possibility is to put the tram cabin on a flat bed truck

Image by Judith Berdy

and use it to transport riders

Image by Judith Berdy

from the new Tram to Southpoint Park

Image by Judith Berdy

All Aboard!!

Late Saturday Nite Disturbance On Roosevelt Island's Riverwalk Commons After Party - Public Safety Present To Keep The Peace

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Any Roosevelt Island Southtown residents hear a commotion Saturday night between 1 - 3 AM on the Riverwalk Commons? I heard about such a late night disturbance and asked Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra:

I received several messages about a disturbance early Saturday morning 1-3 AM in front of the Riverwalk Commons with several Public Safety Department vehicles and a Segway officer responding to groups of people hanging out in the area.

There was nothing in the 4/3 -4/4 Daily Public Safety Report that I could see about this incident.

Can you provide any information as to what, if anything, happened?

Mr. Guerra replied:

No Incident Report was filed for any disturbance. Our blotter did indicate that there was some sort of party at the Bar & Grill that ended when the bar closed at 2:00am. Folks were outside but not unruly. PSD was present to Keep the Peace.

NYC Vision 2020 Waterfront Planning Meeting Thursday April 8 - Help Plan The The Future Waterfront & Make Roosevelt Island's Voice Heard

Image of NYC Waterfront From Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance

As we are all aware, Roosevelt Island is located between Manhattan and Queens, surrounded by water, in the East River. If you are interested in learning about and helping to plan the future of New York City's waterfront, including Roosevelt Island, this message from the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance is for you.

Help Plan the City’s Waterfront

The Department of City Planning is currently preparing Vision 2020: The NYC Comprehensive Waterfront Plan, and we want your help. This plan will establish the city’s long range vision for a 21st Century waterfront, identifying opportunities for improvement and the strategies needed to realize this new vision. Visit our website, www.nyc.gov/waterfront, for plan updates, workshop announcements and to share your ideas and comments with us.

A kick-off citywide public meeting to discuss the process and solicit feedback will be held on:

APRIL 8, 2010
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
MURRY BERGTRAUM HIGH SCHOOL
411 PEARL STREET
LOWER MANHATTAN

Here's an excerpt from MWA's excellent City of Water Documentary

"City of Water" trailer from MAS on Vimeo.

It's important that Roosevelt Island residents participate in this process and get involved because so often waterfront advocates and decision makers are unaware of our issues so they do not get addressed.

Roosevelt Island's Good Shepherd Plaza Renovation - What's Happening? RIRA Common Council Meeting Wednesday 8 PM

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Received the following Good Shepherd Plaza renovation update from Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Planning Committtee Chair Matt Katz.

I have put together some notes on our meeting and I’m sharing them with you prior to presenting them to the RIRA Common Council on April 7. They are not based on a recording or transcript and so, may reflect a somewhat different perspective than your recollections. I hope I have touched on the high points. RIRA Council Members will have an opportunity to discuss the meeting on April 7; others may address the project during the Public Access portion of the Council agenda.

Below is Mr. Katz's report.

Good Shepherd Plaza Renovation Project
Town Meeting – March 25, 2010

Attending: RIOC: Rosina Abramson, Tom Turcic; Santo Verta; RIOC Board of Directors: Fay Christian, Howard Polivy, Margie Smith; RIRA Planning Committee: Ashton Barfield, Dolores Green, Matthew Katz (Chair), Joyce Mincheff, Ellen Polivy, Lynne Shinozaki; Rivercross: Marianne Russem; RIHS: Judy Berdy; WIRE: Dick Lutz; Resident Community: Helen Chirivas; arriving late: Paco Bozzano-Barnes (RIRA), Vicki Feinmel, Nurit Marcus, Fernando Martinez (RIOC).

Katz welcomed the group, saying that, while the meeting was under the auspices of the RIRA Planning Committee, a formal sub-committee had not been formed and that the meeting was, at least at present, an ad hoc response to Abramson’s request to discuss the Good Shepherd Plaza renovation project with community stakeholders. He noted that the invitation list included management and tenant representatives from the building complexes abutting the Plaza; RIOC, RIOC Board and RIRA reps; as well as organizers of the events that use the space. Approximately half of those invited were attending.

Turcic, RIOC Chief Engineer, presented the plan. He said there was little change involved, and that the proposed HVAC upgrade was the only element that requires approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The cooling tower in the Chapel belfry is to be replaced by a ground-level condenser just west of the side entrance that will be covered by a wooden barrier. The red slate pavers are to be replaced, drainage will be reconfigured, bench locations are to be reconsidered and the tall lights will be replaced by ten-foot lights similar to the ones on Main Street and with new eight-foot lights at the west entrance doors. Russem said the Plaza is dim and asked if three lights each on the north and south sides would be sufficient to make the area brighter.

Turcic indicated that subsidence has caused drainage problems. The north-south-running drains on the east and west sides of the Chapel will remain, but the other north-west-running drain, located near the back of the Chapel, would be replaced by east-west-running trench drains where the concrete stripes now break up the red tile pattern. In addition, the squared-off concrete apron at the eastern (apse) end of the structure would be rounded to conform to the shape of the building. Chirivas asked if there would be any interior Chapel work and Turcic responded, “No.”

Christian asked what color the proposed herringbone brick would be. Turcic said it could match the present color with concrete pavers, still broken up by concrete stripes. Smith asked why the present red pavers would be replaced using a small herringbone pattern. Turcic said that the interlocking pattern would last longer. When asked about existing stocks of z-brick, Turcic said there was none left and that it was no longer manufactured. He said that the Plaza sub-base was crushed concrete covered by sand, and noted that two-inch bricks would replace the existing, more fragile one-inch pavers.

Mincheff advocated placing a bocce court in the Plaza; Turcic suggested perhaps using another venue. Turcic mentioned that the sixteen existing concrete bollards are in poor condition and questioned whether they should be replaced or removed. Green advocated removing them. Russem said she was concerned about the bench placement blocking performance sight lines for audiences and suggested placing concrete chess/checkers tables with permanent seating in appropriate spots.

Russem advocated using larger, more substantive planters around the Plaza and Marcus asked if built-in irrigation could be channeled to raised planters. Turcic noted that moveable planers could be moved to accommodate specific functions and events. Shinozaki asked whether a disabled ramp could be installed at the west entrance noting that the side-door elevator often breaks down. Turcic cited the extreme slope at that entrance and the involvement of the Landmarks Preservation Commission that this would require. Berdy noted that the side-door steps and ramp are “shot,” and Turcic said that door would be replaced.

Turcic said that Alex Herrera of the Landmarks Conservancy was assisting in the choice of a wooden barrier to camouflage the HVAC installation. Reflecting an idea proposed by RIRA President, Frank Farance, Katz asked if this potentially noisy machinery could be installed on the Island House side of the north plaza and connected to the Chapel ductwork using conduits underneath the pavers. Turcic thought the condenser assembly wouldn’t add to the noise, either on the Plaza or in the community room abutting it. It was noted that the garbage dumpster adjacent to Island House is “offensive,” and Martinez said that the Trellis needs to keep up with collections. Mincheff thought the Trellis fencing should be the same as the HVAC fencing.

Bozzano suggested canopies to provide shade on the Plaza similar to those used in Spain. Turcic said these had not been considered so far. Bozzano asked if alternatives to air conditioning might be considered that would not use energy and thus, would not add to global warming. Turcic said the air conditioning upgrade already had been put out to bid, and noted that the current Chapel cooling tower is not operational and therefore, Good Shepherd will not be cooled this summer. Katz said he would alert the Island concert promoters to this situation. Turcic noted that the existing cooling system was inefficient and would be replaced by a more efficient method that can be directed to the level where people are congregating. He said the new system would cut energy costs by half.

Russem asked who controlled the concrete seating area directly adjacent to Rivercross. Nobody knew.

Katz asked the group to consider next steps. Abramson suggested another meeting to discuss design elements such as herringbone brick (or another surface), planters, moveable furniture and so on. She noted that construction would probably start in the fall (September? October?) so as not to disrupt summer activities and would require about three months to complete. Katz noted that the Fall for Arts performances would need another venue in this case. Turcic said that bids are expected back April 5.

The April RIRA Common Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 7 at the Good Shepherd Community Center (8 PM). Prior to the start of the Common Council meeting there is Public Session providing an opportunity for the public to present any issues of concern to the Council.