Roosevelt Island Eighth Grade Student Accepted By First Choice High School - Other Students May Consider NYC Academy Of Software Engineering

Image of Melissa & Mom Signing High School Acceptance From Elbert Chu of NY Times

The New York Times Schoolbook reported earlier this week on NY eighth grade students waiting to find out what high school they would attend next year including this Roosevelt Island resident:

... At the American Sign Language and English Lower School in Manhattan, Melissa Moncion, 14, said she had applied to eight schools, but only one really mattered.

“When I opened my envelope, I was shaking,” she said. But on Wednesday, she learned she got into that first choice, Pace High School.

Melissa, who lives on Roosevelt Island, can hear but has been attending the Sign Language school since pre-kindergarten. Her mother, Anna, who hails from the Dominican Republic, is deaf. When her mother came to the school to pick her up on Wednesday, Melissa signed to tell her she had been accepted to Pace. Her mother’s face lit up, and she clasped her hands with a firm shake: “Congratulations,” she signed to her daughter....

Click here for the entire NY Times article.

If you are an eighth grade student, or the parent of one, considering which New York City high school to attend next year, you may find this AVC Blog post from venture capitalist Fred Wilson about the Academy of Software Engineering High School  of interest:

... We are now recruiting the first class of 9th graders. Today and tomorrow are big days as we will be at the citywide High School Fair at Martin Luther King Jr High School on the Upper West Side. The fair is on from 10am to 2pm both days this weekend and Seung and I will be there along with many of the folks on the school's advisory board. Next week on Tuesday night there is an open house for parents and students at Google's office and next weekend there is an open house for parents and students at NYU. And there is one more open house the following week at NYU. If you know any students who are going into ninth grade and are a fit for this school, please tell them and their parents to come to the High School Fair and the Open Houses. That's the best way for them to get into this school.

We also have a full blown web presence now. We have a website, a twitter, and a facebook page....

You Tube Video of NYC Academy of Software Engineering

Click here for the entire AVC blog post and here for more information on the Academy of Software Engineering High School. 

Fast forward several years. After finishing the Academy of Software Engineering High School and then college, come back to Roosevelt Island's Cornell Technion NYC Applied Sciences & Engineering School

Roosevelt Island At Night As Seen By Adventures Of A Goodman And East River Manhattan Views Too

 Image of Southtown  and Queensboro Bridge At Night From Adventures Of A Goodman

Travel Blogger Adventures Of A Goodman grew up on Roosevelt Island, returns periodically. and shares these great photographs of Roosevelt Island at night. According to Adventures Of A Goodman:

... At night, Roosevelt Island is especially beautiful and eerie. Unlike the rest of New York City, which never sleeps, the Island goes to bed pretty early and leaves its streets and courtyards empty....

Eastwood/Roosevelt Landings and Westview Image At Night From Adventures of A Goodman

More Roosevelt Island Nighttime pictures from Adventures of A Goodman and East River Manhattan views from Roosevelt Island too.

Here's What Happened At Yesterday's Meeting Of Roosevelt Island Community Leaders With NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Council Member Jessica Lappin

 NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn and City Council Member Jessica Lappin from Feminist Majority

Reported on NYC Council Speaker/2013 Mayoral aspirant Christine Quinn and Council Member Jessica Lappin visiting Roosevelt Island yesterday to meet with community leaders. Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Matt Katz attended the meeting, (it was closed to the Press) and kindly provides this report:

... the meeting convened at 12:30 for a “brown bag” lunch. The Speaker passed out a newsletter on her latest initiatives, most not specifically relevant to RI, and then, we went around the table expressing our concerns, which ranged from Cornell and the CBA, to sub-metering in Roosevelt Landings, to the attrition of senior and disabled low-income residents, to my favorite issue, support for the Feb. 7 elections. She was supportive and I hope we get to see more of her here.

I asked Ms. Lappin's office to comment on yesterday's Roosevelt Island meeting and the issues discussed. Received this reply in response:

CM Lappin, Speaker Quinn and Island leaders had a wonderful discussion about all of these and other issues affecting the island and look forward to continuing these conversations in the future.

Recent Roosevelt Island Public Safety Incidents - PSD Officers Rescue Man From East River, Pedestrian Almost Hit By Delivery Scooter & Stolen Car Recovered From Motorgate Garage - RIOC Directors Encourage RIOC Staff To Communicate Better With Directors and Media

Delivery Bike image from Workcycles for illustrative purposes only

On February 28, I sent the following inquiry to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez and Public Safety Director Keith Guerra:

The 2/27 - 2/28 Public Safety Report indicates:

Aided - Adj to the Tram. Male jumped into the River. PSD rescued him. EMS removed aided to the hospital.

My understanding was that the man was rescued from East River by NYPD. Is that incorrect? If PSD did rescue the man, I am happy to do a story about that. Can you please clarify what happened at this incident.

Can you provide additional details regarding these incidents reported in the 2/27 - 2/28 Public Safety report?

Investigation - A deliveryman on a scooter almost struck a pedestrian. Owner of the restaurant was notified.

and:

Recovered Stolen Vehicle - At 688 Main Street. PSD and NYPD filed reports and the vehicle was towed out of the garage.

I have been receiving reports from residents concerned about restaurant delivery persons riding their bikes and scooters in an unsafe manner. Which restaurant was the delivery person from, where did incident happen, what time of day did this happen and what will RIOC do to enforce traffic rules and regulations on restaurant deliveries.

On the recovered stolen vehicle - did it belong to a Roosevelt Island resident, how did RIOC learn that the vehicle was stolen, have their been other stolen vehicles found in the Motorgate garage.

Thank you.

Later that day RIOC's Press Spokesperson answered:

The man was rescued from the East River by two PSD officers. NYPD responded, but arrived after he was already receiving treatment.

The delivery man was warned and admonished. Next time, he is observed operating the scooter in an unsafe manner, he will be ticketed.

The stolen vehicle did not belong to an Island resident.

The issue of RIOC staff communications with RIOC Directors and media, including this blog and the WIRE newspaper, was discussed during the February 27 Operations Committee meeting. The RIOC Directors urged the staff to improve communications with the Board as well as with the media. An audio webcast of the Operations Committee meeting is available below and the discussion regarding communications begins at about the 1 hour 43 minute and 30 second mark.



Other items discussed during the February 27 Operations Committee meeting include the Cornell SEQRA Resolution, Roosevelt Island Tram Operations, conditions of RIOC employees warehouse shed facilities, issues with the Roosevelt Island Garden Club and FEMA reimbursing RIOC for Hurricane Irene related spending.

Roosevelt Island Day Nursery School For Children Ages 3 Months to 5 Years Registration Begins This Month

Image From Roosevelt Island Day Nursery

Are you Roosevelt Island parents looking for child care nursery program close to home? If so, you may wish to consider the Roosevelt Island Day Nursery (RIDN) for your child. According to RIDN web site:

The Roosevelt Island Day Nursery (RIDN) is an international school whose population reflects the rich ethnic, cultural and racial diversity of the Roosevelt Island community. The Day Nursery provides infant, toddler, preschool and Universal PreK programs for children ages 3 months through 5 years.

RIDN is located in two sites offering views of the East River the Queensboro Bridge and the NYC skyline. Each school provides opportunities for year round outdoor play in well equipped playgrounds and beautiful green lawns.

RIDN has been serving the community for over 30 years and welcomes visitors to see and learn more about our many programs.

The Roosevelt Island Day Nursery sent the following information regarding their upcoming Registration process:

Registration for Roosevelt Island Day Nursery's Programs for children from ages 3 months to 6 years, for both River Road and Riverwalk Crossing locations

*Tuesday, March 20 and Wednesday March 21- Priority Registration for families currently enrolled at River Road and Riverwalk Crossing (including siblings and alumni families)
*Thursday, March 22- Priority registration for Riverwalk Crossing residents who have no current or previous affiliation with RIDN
*Tuesday, April 17- Open registration for the community

Registration will take place at the RIDN located at 4 River Road, from 8am-3pm.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
All registrations must be accompanied by a 10% deposit (5% for those families applying for financial aid) to secure a place for your child.

 More information on RIDN available at their web site including tuition and financial aid information.

The RIDN is one of the applicants for Roosevelt Island Public Purpose Funds and intends to use any grants awarded to supplement their financial aid program for Roosevelt Island residents.

Mentoring, Skill Training, Job Placement, GED Preparation Classses & More To Be Offered By Roosevelt Island Youth Program Young Adults Readiness and Development Services (YARDS) Starting April 3 - Sign Up and Take Advantage Of These Services

Image from The Way to Work

Received the following message from the Roosevelt Island Youth Program:

Roosevelt Island Youth Program Inc. Announces Young Adult Initiative YARDS Project

The Roosevelt Island Youth Programs Executive Director Charles DeFino announced today that RIYP is set to offer a new project for Young Adults called YARDS (Young Adults Readiness and Development Services) starting April 3rd, 2012 at the 506 Main Street location. YARDS is a program utilizing Roosevelt Island’s professional talent to provide services and referrals to the young adult population (16 and over) residing here. This program will offer job readiness ,resume writing, computer training, , job search and placement assistance, training referrals, GED prep classes and individual as well as group workshops at the YARDS office Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 6PM to 8PM on the ground floor of the Youth Center at 506 Main Street, we urge everyone to utilize these services.

If you think you may benefit from this program, please take advantage of it. If you know someone that can benefit from this program, please tell them.

Sign Of Roosevelt Island Spring - Southtown Subway Fruit Stand Back After Winter Hiatus, Fear Of Scurvy Outbreak Ends

Roosevelt Island Fruit Stand street vendor is back in Southtown by the Subway

after its winter hiatus.

No word yet from Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) on whether mobile food trucks will be allowed to park on street near the subway or have to pay any additional fees other than what they pay for NYC license.

Commenting about the Mobile Food truck issue on post earlier today regarding City Council Speaker Christine Quinn visiting Roosevelt Island, Westviewer writes:

The food truck problem is really a symptom of a much larger issue.  Is Roosevelt Island a neighborhood in New York City, or not?   If it is, then there should not be an additional fee to operate.

 If not, then why is Christine Quinn coming here at all?  The answer is obvious (although not to RIOC.) 

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) March Board Of Directors Meeting Today 5:30 PM At 8 River Road - Will Cornell SEQRA Environmental Review Item Still Be On The Agenda And Revised?

Image of December 2011 RIOC Board of Directors Meeting

Below is the Agenda for today's Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors Meeting.

AGENDA

MARCH 1, 2012
MEETING OF THE ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE MANHATTAN PARK COMMUNITY CENTER,
8 RIVER ROAD, ROOSEVELT ISLAND, NEW YORK
5:30 P.M.1

I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Approval of Minutes
1. January 19, 2012 Board Meeting (Board Action Required)
IV. Old Business
V. New Business
1. Authorization to Take Planning and Related Actions in Connection with the Proposed Applied Sciences Project on Roosevelt Island (Board Action Required � Materials to Follow)
2. Presentation of the FY 2011-2012 QTR
3. Procurement Report 3. President�s Report
4. Committee Reports
a. Audit Committee
b. Governance Committee
c. Operations Advisory Committee
d. Real Estate Development Advisory Committee
5. Public Safety Report
VI. Adjournment

1 The RIOC Board Meeting commenced following a public comment period. The public comment period is not part of the meeting.

It will be interesting to see if the Cornell SEQRA environmental review resolution reported in this post is still on the Agenda at the time of the meeting and if it has been revised by RIOC Staff to meet the objections (limiting resolution to SEQRA Environmental Review approval and nothing else) of RIOC Board members expressed during Operations Committee Meeting last Monday.

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and City Council Member Jessica Lappin Meeting With Roosevelt Island Communty Leaders This Afternoon - Meeting Closed To The Press

 NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn and City Council Member Jessica Lappin from Feminist Majority

I learned yesterday that NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn and City Council Member Jessica Lappin will be visiting Roosevelt Island this afternoon to speak with Roosevelt Island Community leaders.

Upon learning of the meeting, I sent the following message to Ms. Lappin's office:

I understand that NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Council Member Jessica Lappin will be holding a Roosevelt Island Community Leaders meeting on March 1.

Is that true?

If so, what is the purpose of the meeting, topics to be discussed and who will be attending this meeting?

Thank you.

 Just received this response back from Ms. Lappin's office:

The meeting is to touch base with Roosevelt Island leaders and talk about the issues that are important to the community. RIOC members, tenant and civic leaders will attend. The event is closed to the press.

One of the Roosevelt Island residents attending the meeting speculated that its purpose was for City Council Speaker Quinn to learn about Roosevelt Island in advance of her campaign for the 2013 Democratic Primary Nomination for Mayor.

Ms Quinn would not be the first potential 2013 Democratic Mayoral contender to visit Roosevelt Island or speak with residents. As reported in previous posts, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer paid a visit to the Trellis Diner last March

Image Of Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer With Roosevelt Island Residents At Trellis Diner

and NYC Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio had lunch last October with Roosevelt Island residents as well.

Why We Have A February 29 Leap Year Explained

Here's why we have a Leap Year today.

Hat Tip via Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish

Hope This Did Not Happen To Your Roosevelt Island Car Parked In Motorgate Garage Yesterday

 Car Scratch Image From Popular Mechanics

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Report for 2/28 -2/29:

Criminal Mischief - At the Motorgate Garage unknown subjects made numerous large scratches to a parked vehicle. NYPD filed a report.

Another recent incident at the Motorgate Garage was listed in the 2/17 - 18 Public Safety Report:

Stolen Property - Inside Motorgate. NYPD and PSD on scene.

When I asked RIOC what item was stolen and at what time, RIOC's spokesperson answered:

This incident occurred at 3:00pm and there were no injuries.

If this helps, Popular Mechanics describes how to repair car scratches.

Work Resumes On Final Phase Of Good Shepherd Plaza Restoration Project Starting March 5

Image From RIOC (Click On Image to Enlarge)

Work will soon resume on the North Section of the Good Shepherd Plaza Restoration Project. According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Please be advised, on March 5, 2012, work is scheduled to commence on the final phase of the Good Shepherd Plaza Renovation Project. During this time, there will be limited access to the ADA ramp entrance of the Good Shepherd Community Center due to the demolition of the Plaza surface. A temporary walkway will be provided and will be located on the north side of the building to allow entry to the ramp and fire exit route. Entry into the Good Shepherd Community Center will also be available via the west side double door entrance of the building. In addition, the south ramp of Island House will be accessible and maintained at all times throughout the final phase of construction. 

Last November, RIOC Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez took me on a tour of the Good Shepherd Plaza before reopening the South and East portion of the Plaza and explained the project:

You Tube Video of Good Shepherd Plaza Restoration Tour

More information on the Good Shepherd Plaza Restoration Project from this earlier post.

No Extended 5 AM Roosevelt Island Tram and Red Bus Service This Week For Nightly F Train Subway Service Disruption - Q Train Replacement Means Regular Tram and Red Bus Service

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced last week that during the nightly February 27 - March 2 F Train subway service disruptions, the Tram and Red Bus hours of operation would be extended thru 5 AM. Unfortunately, that was not the case for at least one Roosevelt Island resident who arrrived at the Tram at 3 AM to discover it was not operating.

Earlier today, I asked RIOC Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez:

The RIOC advisory announcing that the F Train will not be running to Roosevelt Island from 10 PM to 5 AM nightly this week also stated that the Tram and Red Bus will be running until 5 AM during these times. The Tram operators have also announced that the Tram will be running until 5 AM this week.

A reader informed me that last night when arriving about 3 AM at the Tram, the Tram was not running.

Any comment? Will the Tram and Red Bus be running until 5 AM this week as previously thought?

Thank you.

Mr. Martinez replied:

The February 24th Advisory was sent in error.  There is subway service to/from Roosevelt Island, and therefore, we will have the Red Bus and Tram operate on normal weekday schedules.  An updated Advisory has been issued.

Here is the updated RIOC advisory:

F Train Service Reminder:

MTA's FASTRACK continues on the F Line on Feb 27 – Mar 2 from 10 PM to 5 AM.

Q Trains will be running on the F Line and will provide service to the Roosevelt Island Station.

Red Bus and Tram service will run on their regular schedule.

Setback For Roosevelt Island Cornell Technion NYC Applied Sciences & Engineering School - Proposed SEQRA Environmental Review Resolution Sent Back By RIOC Directors To Be Redone, Ground Lease Rent Payment At Issue

Image of Proposed Roosevelt Island Cornell Campus From You Tube

As reported in this previous post on proposed Roosevelt Island Cornell Technion NYC Applied Sciences & Engineering School, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) March 1 Board of Directors meeting Agenda Item includes this:

... Authorization to Take Planning and Related Actions in Connection with the Proposed Applied Sciences Project on Roosevelt Island(Board Action Required � Materials to Follow)...

Before the RIOC Board Of Directors Operations Committee met yesterday, they added an Agenda item for their meeting to discuss the proposed Roosevelt Island Applied Sciences Project resolution scheduled for the full RIOC Board Meeting on Wednesday March 1.

RIOC President Leslie Torres began the meeting saying she hoped it was clear that in no way does the proposed resolution drafted by RIOC Staff purport to convey any Roosevelt Island land controlled by RIOC to Cornell. According to Ms. Torres, the sole purpose of the proposed resolution was to authorize Cornell to begin the NYC and NY State Environmental review process (known as SEQRA).

Ms. Torres briefly recounted RIOC's role in the proposed project explaining that Cornell's plan for its campus requires additional Roosevelt Island land that is not controlled by New York City but which RIOC controls. RIOC Board approval is necessary in order for Cornell to secure the additional RIOC controlled land. Cornell also requires access to Roosevelt Island infrastructure which requires RIOC approval as well.

However, as Ms. Torres reviewed the terms of the proposed resolution, it became clear that there was more than the just the SEQRA process approval that the RIOC staff prepared resolution sought from the RIOC Board of Directors. Also included in the resolution was language authorizing RIOC staff to enter into non binding Letters of Intent or Memorandums of Understanding concerning proposed terms of transfers of Roosevelt Island land.

The RIOC Directors, while emphasizing they had no objection to approving a resolution authorizing Cornell to commence the SEQRA environmental review, strongly objected to having any language in this resolution inferring that RIOC staff is authorized to enter into any agreements with Cornell regarding conveyances of land. As RIOC Director Margie Smith said during the meeting, when the SEQRA review is completed she wants it clear that RIOC;

... will be negotiating a reasonable ground rent...

with Cornell. That concept was not in the proposed RIOC staff drafted resolution.

RIOC Director David Kraut added:

... The Resolution as worded does not protect the future interests of the corporation...

The result of the meeting was that the RIOC directors told RIOC staff that they would not approve the resolution submitted by staff and to redo it.

Here's the video of the discussion.

You Tube Video of RIOC Ops Committee Meeting on Cornell Resolution

This was a great job by the RIOC Directors acting in their independent fiduciary duty to protect the interests of Roosevelt Island Operating Corp and the residents of Roosevelt Island.

After attending the Operations Committee meeting and watching the video of it, it is hard to conclude anything but that the resolution to approve Cornell beginning the SEQRA Environmental Review process was either drafted extremely poorly or deliberately to obscure other intentions.

From Cornell's perspective this cannot be a good sign. Cornell is under a great deal of time pressure to begin their environmental review because of financial penalties in their agreement with New York City if certain benchmarks are not met by dates certain. The RIOC directors are aware of these time pressures and indicated they are ready to meet and approve the SEQRA Environmental Review Resolution as soon as the unnecessary language regarding land conveyances is changed.

Here's an audio webcast of the February 27 RIOC Operations Committee meeting. In addition to the Cornell discussion, the RIOC Directors and staff discussed Tram Operations, inadequate RIOC communications between Staff and Directors as well as RIOC communications with the public and media. All very interesting if you like this kind of stuff.



Update 3/2 - The language of the resolution was redone to the RIOC Directors satisfaction and indicates that there will be reasonable compensation for any RIOC conveyance of land to Cornell. The redone resolution was approved at the March 1 RIOC Board of Directors meeting. The web cast of meeting is now available.

Here is the approved resolution and link to it.



Will have more on this later. It will be interesting to discover why any language at all was added to SEQRA environmental review approval resolution regarding future conveyance of RIOC land to Cornell.

White Collar Roosevelt Island TV Episode Judgement Day On USA Network Tonight 10 PM, Watch Matt Bomer Jump From Tram Cabin and Over Visitors Center Kiosk - Start A Drinking Game With Every Roosevelt Island Scene?

Image Of White Collar Episode Shot On Roosevelt Island From You Tube

Reported last August:

... The USA Television program White Collar will be filming on the Roosevelt Island Tram today and  in the area surrounding the Roosevelt Island Tram station as well as the Roosevelt Island Bridge on Tuesday...

Tonight at 10 PM on the USA Network is the White Collar Season Finale titled Judgement Day and this episode was filmed right here on Roosevelt Island last summer.

Image of White Collar stars Matt Bomer (left) and Tim DeKay (right)

Here's a preview of tonight's episode.

You Tube Video Of White Collar Episode Shot On Roosevelt Island

During Roosevelt Island filming, star Matt Bomer practiced leaping over Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) Visitors Center bench and kiosk railing,

Image From Judy Berdy

posed for a picture with RIHS President Judy Berdy

Image of RIHS President Judy Berdy with White Collar's Matt Bomer 

and enjoyed a Roosevelt Island ice cream with co-star Tim DeKay.

Image From Jonathan Kalkin via Instagram

White Collar is on the USA Network starting at 10 PM.

More photos of Roosevelt Island Visitors Center Kiosk White Collar film shoot here.

For those so inclined, perhaps a drinking game is is order every time you see a Roosevelt Island scene - Chocolate Milk or something stronger?

Man Jumps From Roosevelt Island Into East River For A Swim - NYPD and FDNY Respond and Rescue

Image Of NYPD/FDNY Police Activity Underneath Queensboro Bridge Rescuing Man In East River

At approximately 2 PM this afternoon, there was a great deal of commotion near the Roosevelt Island Tram station underneath the Queensboro Bridge

Image Of NYPD/FDNY Police Activity Underneath Queensboro Bridge Rescuing Man In East River

on West Channel Road with NYPD and FDNY vehicles as well as NYPD harbor boat.

Image Of NYPD/FDNY Police Activity Underneath Queensboro Bridge Rescuing Man In East River

What was going on?

According to this Breaking 911 tweet:

#Manhattan *JUMPER DOWN* 59th Street Bridge - Male Jumped off the bridge into the East River & Landed on the Rocks #EMS #ESU #BREAKING #NYC

which was soon updated to:

#Manhattan *U/D JUMPER DOWN* 59th Street Bridge - #NYPD advising the victim may have jumped off Roosevelt Island & not bridge

RIOC issued this advisory describing the incident:

There was a brief traffic condition on Main Street due to a police investigation near the Tram.  As of this time traffic is back to normal.  

I spoke to NYPD and RIOC officials on scene who reported that a man did not jump off the Queensboro Bridge but jumped from Roosevelt Island into the East River for a swim. The man was rescued by NYPD and taken to the hospital.

Earlier this week, a person did jump from the Queensboro Bridge landing in Queensbridge Park.

UPDATE 2/29 - According to the 2/27 -28 Public Safety Report the man was rescued by Public Safety Officer:

Aided - Adj to the Tram. Male jumped into the River. PSD rescued him. EMS removed aided to the hospital.

Reminder, MTA's Fast Track Subway Program Reaches Roosevelt Island Tonight - No Nighttime Roosevelt Island F Train Service In Either Direction Starting 10 PM Monday February 27 thru 5 AM Friday March 2, Q Line Extended To Roosevelt Island At These Times - Extended Tram and Red Bus Service Thru 5 AM

Reported last week that there is no nighttime F Train Service to Roosevelt Island starting tonight:

The MTA is reporting that there will be no F train subway service to Roosevelt Island and other stations on the  6th Avenue subway line from 14th Street to Queensbridge/21 street starting 10 PM Monday February 27 until 5 AM Friday March 2 due to the Fast Track Subway repair program....

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) issued the following advisory:

The MTA has advised the following:
Q Trains will be running via the F line

Feb 27 – Mar 2 from 10 PM to 5 AM

For service to Lexington Ave/63 St, Roosevelt Island, 21 St-Queensbridge, take the Q Train

Q Train Service is extended to 21 St-Queensbridge via the F Line after 57 St-7 Av...

... Tram and Red Bus Service will run until 5:00 a.m. during this change in service.

More information on this week's F Train Fast Track subway disruption from previous post. Remember the Q train will be servicing Roosevelt Island during the Fast Track Hours.

UPDATE 3:30 PM: - Just to be clear, the F train subway service disruption is only during the nighttime hours of 10 PM - 5 AM. There is regular F train Roosevelt Island service during all other hours.

UPDATE 2/28 - According to RIOC, there will be no extended 5 AM Tram and Red Bus Operations during the Fast Track F Train Subway service disruptions. Regular Tram and Red Bus hours apply. The RIOC advisory was a mistake. More info here.

Roosevelt Island Tram and Cornell Technion Campus Subject of Today's RIOC Board Of Directors Operations Committee Meeting At 5:30 PM - Will We Find Out When and What Tram Station Improvements To Be Made

Image of Proposed Roosevelt Island Tram Station Renovation August 2010

Received the following notice from Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Operations Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Monday, February 27, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
Amended Agenda

1. Discussion on Roosevelt Island Aerial Tramway Operations

2. Discussion on Cornell/Technion Applied Sciences Campus Project

Perhaps we will learn what the status is of the long delayed planned Tram Station renovations that were part of the $25 million Roosevelt Island Tram Modernization Project.

 Image of Proposed Tram Station With Overhead Canopies In August 2010

In September 2011, RIOC President Leslie Torres reported:

... we are planning to renovate the Tram Plaza to improve its overall appearance. Plans for the renovation on the Roosevelt Island side include:

• Replacement of the railings at the Tram boarding platform
• The addition of a see-through roof
• An enclosure for the Tram boarding area, which will be heated in the winter Scrapping, sanding, and painting of the railings
• Installing a new no-slip floor and patching where necessary
• Power washing the entire Plaza

The Manhattan side of the Plaza will get the same renovations as above with the following additions:

• A new Courtesy booth
• New security gates
• New tread toppings for the stairs
• New textured warning strips at the bottom of the stairs to help the visually impaired

We have already selected the contractor and Phase 1 of the work, which also includes renovations of the restrooms, and is scheduled to begin at the end of September. We anticipate completion of all the work in the fall of 2012....

Ms. Torres reported in her February 25 President's Report that the Tram Station bathroom will be open on March 5:

 ...The newly renovated men’s and women’s restrooms at the Tram station will be open for public use starting on Monday, March 5. We hope they will add a measure of convenience for residents and visitors...

Here is the proposed Tram Station improvements proposed and approved by the RIOC Board of Directors in August 2010.

At one time a green roof was considered for the Tram Station

and the old Manhattan Tram Station Courtesy booth met this fate - remember?

Image From Judy Berdy

Latest on Roosevelt Island Cornell Technion NYC Applied Sciences & Engineering School campus from post on Friday.

Roosevelt Island Black History Month Celebration - Music, Dance, Readings and Refreshments, A Great Day Was Had By All

Barbara Parker & Bernard Dove Dance Performance at Roosevelt Island Black History Month Celebration

Roosevelt Island Black History Month Celebration took place Saturday afternoon at the Seniors Center. It was a wonderful event organized by the Roosevelt Island Seniors Association together with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) which featured music and dance performances by residents as well as historic readings and remembrances about the Tuskegee Airmen, Etta James, Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller and Whitney Houston.

Roosevelt Island Seniors Association President Delores Green did her usual fantastic job as master of ceremonies. Among the terrific performers were Rasheedah Ali, June Terry, Linda Hudson, Bettie Lowhar, Rebecca Simeon, Douglas Cherry, Harold Thomas, Vickie Feinmel, Matt Katz, Barbara Parker & Bernand Dove.

Below is the program from the event.

I missed about half of the festivities but arrived in time for this terrific blues piano performance by Linda Hudson,

You Tube Video of Linda Hudson On Piano

Matt Katz reading a biography of Whitney Houston



and a wonderful dance duet by Barbara Parker and Bernard Dove as well as some personal remembrances.



Then came the party with food and drink.

 

It was a very nice event and great job by the organizers!

More on the history of Black History Month and President Obama speaking at last week's groundbreaking ceremony for the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall from previous post.