Cornell President David Skorton Coming To Roosevelt Island Tomorrow For Town Hall Meeting On NYC Applied Sciences & Engineering School - Come Ask Questions, Comment and Find Out What Is Going On

Image of Proposed Roosevelt Island Cornell Campus From You Tube

Are you interested in learning more about the Cornell - Technion NYC Applied Sciences & Engineering School that will be located right here on Roosevelt Island? Do you have any questions, comments or concerns that you would like to have answered by Cornell officials? If so, please come to tomorrow night's Cornell Town Hall Meeting. According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

You are invited to attend the Cornell University Town Hall meeting on Thursday, April 5^th, 6:30 PM at the Manhattan Park Theater Club located at 8 River Road. There will be a brief presentation discussing the plans for Cornell University’s Applied Science Campus. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask Cornell's leadership representatives questions during the Q&A session.

Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Jessica Lappin adds:

I invite you to join me at a town hall meeting with Cornell University President David J. Skorton, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, Assembly Member Micah Kellner, and others to discuss Cornell-Technion’s plans for a new applied sciences and engineering campus on Roosevelt Island.

What:Cornell-Technion Town Hall Meeting
When:Thursday, April 5th at 6:30 p.m.
Where:Manhattan Park Community Center
8 River Road, Roosevelt Island

Cornell Vice President Cathy Dove (a new Roosevelt Island resident) and other Cornell representatives met with a group of Roosevelt Island residents last March 22.  Among those Roosevelt Island residents present for the meeting with Cornell was Community Planning Board 8 and Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) member Jeff Escobar. During a March 28 meeting of the Silicon Island Coalition, Mr. Escobar presented a brief review of the March 22 meeting with Cornell. Mr. Escobar reported that Cornell:

• intends to enter their ULURP Application in November 2012 to Community Planning Board 8 and Manhattan Borough President's Office
• intends to take possession of Goldwater Hospital site in December 2013
• intends to demolish Goldwater Hospital in 2014
• intends to begin construction in 2015
• intends to have first Class on Roosevelt Island in 2017
• is committed to building only a single building by 2017
• is committed to an open campus - no wall around campus
• will be leasing space in Manhattan this fall to create a mini campus for first school until Roosevelt Island campus is ready 
• is looking into ferry service and other Transportation mitigation ideas and
• only several hundred students on Roosevelt Island in the first stage

Here's Mr. Escobar giving his report at the Silicon Island Coalition meeting. (more from the March 28 Silicon Island Coalition meeting here).



RIRA member and Chair of the Silicon Island Coalition Susan Marcus attended the March 22 meeting with Cornell representatives and reports:

While there was really no new news coming out of this meeting, it was very reassuring to hear that Ms. Dove and colleagues are not interested in being appointed to RIOC. That was very important.

RIVAA Gallery's Tad Sudol was also at the March 22 Meeting and reports:

Excellent meeting.  Bravo! to Micah Kellner for arranging it. It was very encouraging and exciting to hear  positive responses from Kathy Dove and  Peter Krokondelas regarding the many challenges the planners for the new campus  and Islanders are facing. The good will of close cooperation was  tangible.

Assembly Member Micah Kellner who hosted the meeting adds:

It was a very productive meeting and I look forward to Dr. Skorton's presentation on April 5t

Queens organizations, politicians and residents are also interested in joining Roosevelt Island's Silicon Island Coalition. During the March 28 Silicon Island Coalition meeting, members of the Queens Coalition expressed that interest.



Also discussed during the March 28 Silicon Island Coalition meeting was making sure that Roosevelt Island children were helped by the presence of Cornell University.



More video of the March 28 Silicon Island Coalition meeting here.

UPDATE 4/8 - Here is video of interview with Cornell President David Skorton and other Cornell representatives as well as April 5 Town Hall meeting.