... Huttenlocher said they expect 30,000 to 120,000 permanent jobs over the next three decades, and coined another technology district for Silicon Island to sit upon.Click here for the entire article.
"We view the F train as sort of a technology corridor in New York City,” he said. “If you think about Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, the tech companies there, then coming up 6th Avenue, you’re heading near Union Square and Chelsea and Flatiron with a lot of tech companies. And then here, where there’s going to be a new tech campus, and then into Long Island City, Queens, where there’s an incredible opportunity for the companies that will spin from on this campus to locate themselves and build the… economic development in Western Queens.”...
... The first building will open in five years on the northern side of the 11-acre site and Cornell will build out south....Click here for the entire NY1 Report.
Not only were residents of Roosevelt Island's Southtown Riverwalk Buildings making their way home last evening but
Summary of 2012 RIRA Public Purpose Fund Recommendations
Island Kids
Amount Requested $16,000
Recommendation $11,000
The Island Kids program continues to be managed effectively and to offer a well-received program. The request is for scholarships for the summer camp that the program runs. With an income eligibility test to receive a camp scholarship, the program benefits low and moderate income residents. Last year, the number of applicants for full and partial scholarships exceeded the funds available. This year, the participation in the program is expected to grow again.
PS/IS 217 PTA
Amount Requested $26,558
Recommendation $14,000
The PTA request represents a continuation of the program that was partially funded from PPF funds last year. Budget cuts continue to leave no room for art instruction at the school, but the mandate to include such instruction in the curriculum remains. The PTA membership and school leadership have had good results with fundraising and believes strongly in the benefits that the program brings to the environment at the school. The committee’s recommendation is less than last year’s because of the increase in competing requests.
LifeFrames
Amount Requested $25,000
Recommendation $7,000
The LifeFrames program has expanded the involvement of the local community and has increased its funding from outside sources. It is well received by its participants and the leadership of its participating programs. The recommendation is a slight increase from last year’s modest allocation.
RICLA
Amount Requested $20,000
Recommendation $8,500
RICLA has done a good job of expanding their outreach to Island organizations to increase awareness of the program for matching funds for advertising and fund-raising efforts. This improvement was a recommendation by the committee last year. This year, the program allocated their PPF funding much sooner than they did the previous year. Because of this success, the committee recommends a modest increase in funding for the coming year.
RISA
Amount Requested $20,000
Recommendation $11,500
The committee feels that funding of computers for the Senior Center will be a significant benefit to RISA members. Existing computers in the Senior Center are very old. While RISA makes good use of volunteers for maintenance, updating the computers with faster, more functional machines will increase the availability of computer resources to the users. Full funding of their request, however, is not possible because of the competing priorities of other PPF applicants. The committee recommends fully replacing the machines over a period of 2-3 years using this year’s allocation to start the upgrade process.
RIDA
Amount Requested
$10,500
Recommendation $9,000
The RIDA request represents a continuation of an extremely well-received and beneficial program that permits Roosevelt Island disabled citizens to go on trips that significantly improve their quality of life. Without this program, such travel is extremely difficult. The past success of the program, in the view of the committee, justifies continued funding. The recommendation is for the same amount as last year.
R&R Concerts
Amount Requested $14,400
Recommendation $ 8,500
R&R Concerts continues to produce high quality and highly regarded concerts for the RI community. The program is well-run and brings musical events that Island residents might not otherwise get to enjoy. The leadership of R&R Concerts has done a good job of expanding non-PPF funding sources. Despite the success of the program, the committee recommendation is a slight decrease from last year’s allocation.
RIHS
Amount Requested $26,000
Recommendation $8,000
RIHS has done a good job of utilizing the funds allocated to them from Public Purpose Funds. The committee wishes to see the progress continue that the organization has achieved in archiving Island historical documents and items. Compare to other Island organizations, however, the direct benefit to Island residents, in the committee’s view is not as great as other organizations.
RIDN
Amount Requested $35,000
Recommendation $7,500
The RIDN program has a number of unique features, including the use of a third-party organization to vet applications for their scholarship recipients. Because of the overall high cost of the program, however, the committee did not feel that the benefit of these scholarships was as great as other similar programs on the Island. Nevertheless, the committee wished to provide some funding to the organization to permit some participation by Island residents in their program.
Roosevelt Island Swimming
Amount Requested $53,000
Recommendation $6,000
The RI Swimming program has shown a great deal of staying power, having provided swimming lessons to Island youth for over seven years. While the program is makes good use of limited resources, the committee feels that the rate of participation for the funds provided is not as great as other programs.
RIVAA
Amount Requested $28,800
Recommendation $9,000
The committee recognized the benefit of permitting RIVAA to adjust to the new environment under which they must pay rent for their space under the Master Lease. The committee believed however that funding the entire amount of their rent was not possible given other priorities. The committee wishes to encourage the organization to expand their fund raising efforts further to cover their lease expenses.
You are invited to attend the Cornell University Town Hall meeting on Thursday, April 5th, 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.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:
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
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 5tQueens 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.
Don't be worried if you see a Roosevelt Island Tram Cabin motionless just below one of its Tower Tops with NYPD vehicles below
Please be advised the NYPD ESU, will be practicing on one Tram cabin on Wednesday,More information on NYPD and FDNY Roosevelt Island Tram Rescue Drills from previous posts.
April 4th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Please note regular Tram service will not be interrupted during this time frame.
Sincerely,
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Committee met yesterday (audio webcast of full meeting here) to discuss the NY Rowing Association proposal to establish a seasonal rowing and kayaking facility beneath the Queensboro Bridge just south of the Oil Dock Pier facing Queens. The subject had first been discussed at the March 21 Operations Committee meeting in which the RIOC Board Directors present expressed approval for the concept but asked for additional information prior to giving approval.
During yesterday's Real Estate Committee meeting, the RIOC Board Directors reported reservations that safety concerns from objects falling from the Queensboro Bridge on to the proposed boating facility and the strong East River currents have not yet been adequately addressed. Another concern was that other NYC kayaking and rowing groups should be given the opportunity to express interest in a Roosevelt Island facility.
The RIOC Real Estate Committee decided to issue an expedited Request For Proposals for interested parties to operate a seasonal rowing and kayaking boating facility near the Oil Dock Pier.
Here's the full discussion.
No mention was made during the discussion of RIOC Director Sal Ferrera's undisclosed membership on the New York Rowing Association Board of Trustees or that the NY Rowing Association official making presentation to RIOC was a member of the Child School's Board of Directors in which Mr. Ferrera is the Executive Director.
Also, during the meeting I asked for an explanation regarding the dispute between the NY Rowing Association and its former location at the Peter Sharp Boathouse but received no answer.
Following this Agenda Item, the RIOC Real Estate Committee went into Executive Session, meaning it was closed to the public, to discuss the privatization and ground lease extension for Island House.
The Roosevelt Island Business Networking Group was recently formed to provide local entrepreneurs an opportunity to meet each other, share ideas and potential opportunities. As reported in this post on the inaugural meeting of the Group:
... About 30 residents, with professions ranging from photographer and architect to travel agent and caterer, gathered on Tuesday morning, March 13 to swap business cards and consider how they might be able to help each other grow their small business and solo practices. ...The Roosevelt Island Business Networking Group reports on what took place during their second meeting on March 27:
About 25 residents, with professions ranging from travel agent and interpreter to interactive digital comic book artist and personal assistant/errands manager, organizing and special projects, gathered on Tuesday evening, March 27 to swap business cards and discuss their respective small businesses and solo practices.Here's an example of products offered by one of the presenters - Stella & Dot jewelry from Ms Williams
Organized by Tom Wood, a financial specialist, and Janet Falk, a public relations professional, the group included members who had attended the March 13 breakfast meeting and others joining for the first time.
Capitalizing on the momentum of the kickoff event, this session featured six-minute presentations each by three members to share their expertise. Dick Lutz, Editor and Publisher of The Main Street WIRE, described the opportunity to promote local business, through both special on-Island advertising rates and possible article submissions. Sharon Pope spoke about writing and community activism, especially the Upper East Side esplanade. Sharon Williams presented samples of the jewelry she sells as a stylist for Stella and Dot.
Members are encouraged to meet with others in the group and consider what they have to offer and what they might need from a colleague. The Roosevelt Island Business Networking Group on LinkedIn continues to grow.
The next event will be held on Tuesday, April 10 at 7:30 am at Riverwalk Bar & Grill for BYOB (bring your own breakfast). Please contact Tom Wood at thomas_wood@natfin.net to RSVP. Members are welcome to bring Island friends and neighbors who are also small business owners and solo practitioners and expand the networking group.
... The event in Brooklyn was part of something called participatory budgeting, in which constituents in four City Council districts were given control over a slice of their council members’ discretionary budgets — $1 million in each district. In a process that began in October, they proposed projects, researched their viability and ran them by city agencies. This week, voters will finish choosing which of the proposals can move forward. Results are expected to be released this week....and:
... This is only the second time that participatory budgeting, originally developed in Brazil, has been tried in the United States, and the first time in New York City, said Josh Lerner, executive director of the Participatory Budgeting Project, a nonprofit organization. Whether it will become entrenched here is unclear. But what is known is that over the past six months, 250 regular New Yorkers jumped into the trenches and dirtied their hands with democracy. The point of the experiment in October was to counter people’s cynical view of government by inviting them to participate in the very process they mistrust. To some extent, it worked.Click here for the entire NY Times article.
Of the more than a dozen participants interviewed for this article, all said the process had emboldened them to stay involved in their communities and to continue pushing their representatives to work on the projects they thought would benefit their neighborhoods. Still, skepticism runs deep. Some said they were concerned that they would ultimately be defeated by the powers that be....
... The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) has been delegated by RIOC to make recommendations to the RIOC Board for the allocation of available Public Purpose Funds. RIRA created a Public Purpose Funds Committee that will interview and evaluate the applicant organizations and then make recommendations as to how the funds get distributed to the full RIRA Common Council. Upon approval by the RIRA Common Council, the recommendations are forwarded to the RIOC Board for approval....The RIRA Public Purpose Funds Committee interviewed 12 Roosevelt Island organizations seeking a portion of the $100 Thousand Public Purpose Funds this year and will present their recommendations to the RIRA Common Council this week at the April 4 RIRA Monthly meeting. RIRA will then vote on the recommendations and forward their findings to RIOC for final approval.
Wow, what do you think about this. Stanford may have withdrawn its proposed Roosevelt Island NYC Applied Sciences and Engineering school proposal last December but that does not mean Stanford is done with Roosevelt Island. According to this report from The Faculty Lounge, Stanford will announce tomorrow plans to establish a Law School campus right here on Roosevelt Island.
... The school's plan is to build a 280,000 foot law school that will house approximately 450 JD students and another 200 international graduate law students. In addition, Stanford will also offer an L.L.B. program which will allow many European students to move directly into practice in their home countries.
While this plan has been developed in secrecy, it also explains why Stanford was so quick to exit the earlier competition for a place on Roosevelt Island. The law school will cost literally billions less to build than the research center. And it also turns out that the three universities will achieve an economy of scale, developing a single student center, and athletic complex on the island.
The law school is apparently part of a broader plan to expand Stanford's footprint into Europe, Africa, the Middle East and, ultimately, Palau.
