What Type Of Use For Roosevelt Island's 504 Main Street Second Floor Space? Master Leaseholder Hudson Related Considering Freelance Work Space, Child School, Place Of Worship, Gallery RIVAA So Far - Any Suggestions?
Image of 504 Main Street
What's going to happen to the first and second floor of the long vacant 504 Main Street (click here for 360 degree view) on Roosevelt Island. There is a consensus among residents that the first floor should be used as the new home for the Roosevelt Island Public Library. The new Main Street Master Leaseholder, Hudson/Related, has expressed a willingness to rent the first floor of 504 Main Street to the Library, the Library has expressed a desire to rent that space but there is still an open question as to how such a deal will be financed. Estimates have been $10-15 million dollars to build a library at 504.
Image of 504 Main Street
What type of tenant leases the second floor at 504 Main Street is another question and there are competing visions for that space. Among those seeking the second floor space is the Child School, whose Executive Director Sal Fererra is also a recently appointed, and controversial Director of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC), the Sub-Landlord to Master Leaseholder Hudson Related. Mr. Fererra has publicly announced his desire to develop an Arts Center for the second floor of 504 Main Street.
Last Friday, a very reliable source reported to me that Mr. Fererra said that the Child School had rented the second floor of 504 Main Street. I sent the following inquiry to Hudson/Related's David Kramer:
It has been reported to me by a very reliable source that Sal Ferrera of the Child School is telling people that the Child School has rented 504 Main Street from Hudson/Related.Mr. Kramer replied:
Has 504 Main Street been rented to the Child School? If not, is Hudson Related close to renting the first or second floor space to the Child School or anyone else?
... it’s all speculation. We’re talking to Sal, we’re talking to New York Public Library, but it’s all talk so far....I sent a similar inquiry to the Child School's Mr. Fererra. Mr. Fererra replied:
...we are negotiating the lease. When we agree I will contact youA question was asked during the Main Street Retail Town Hall Meeting last month about the potential uses for the second floor space at 504 Main Street and how it's use would be consistent with the hoped for Public Library on the first floor. Mr. Kramer indicated that among the uses being considered for the second floor space was:
- green office/desk/ conference space for freelance workers,
- the Child School proposal,
- a place of worship for the Roosevelt Island Islamic Society and
- space for the Gallery RIVAA.
Below is video of the question and answer regarding 504 Main Street. (the audio/video is not in perfect synch but you can understand the discussion.)
You Tube Video of Retail Town Hall Meeting discussion of 504 Main Street
1 comments :
We are talking to Sal not Mr. or representatives of the Child School, sounds like a done deal when Mr. Fererra says we will let you know when we reach a deal (wink). How would Religious group work with a Youth center and Library below, I know these are smartest and the Bravest but they need to take a slight pause.
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