Report From RIOC President Charlene Indelicato - Roosevelt Island Renovation Of Lighthouse Park, Subway Pier, Motorgate, Cultural Center, Helix, Seawall, Elimination Of Red Bus Fare, Snow Clean Up And More

 Image of RIOC President Charlene Indelicato From RIOC

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato sends the following report to the community.

Introduction

We are looking forward to a New Year full of changes. Many new construction and restoration projects spearheaded by RIOC will be moving forward and Cornell University will break ground on their new campus. Bike New York will expand their cycling programs and many more initiatives lead by members of our community will continue to make the Island a diverse and lively place throughout 2014.

Construction and Restoration

Work on the north entrance of the Good Shepherd Community Center is currently scheduled to commence later this month and be completed in approximately 4 weeks. Restoration of the south entrance is projected to be completed in the subsequent 4 weeks. Interior renovations are scheduled to be finished during a final 4 week period. The Community Center will remain accessible to the public for the duration of the restoration process.

Repairs on the West Pier are in progress, and are expected to be completed by mid-February. Lighting renovations and re-striping in the Motorgate Garage are proceeding according to schedule and are expected to be completed by April 2014.

Work on the footbridges inside the Lighthouse Park is scheduled to begin within the next several weeks. Construction is expected to be completed within approximately sixty days, at which point the park will be reopened to the public. Plans are also moving forward for the Roosevelt Island Cultural Center – repairs and renovations are projected to be finished by the end of summer 2014.

Many large capital projects will be moving forward in the coming year. Plans are being prepared for improvements to the Helix Ramp; and the design for the Southpoint Seawalls will be developed. RIOC will continue to maintain and develop the Island’s infrastructure to ensure readiness for the future.

Red Bus Fare Elimination

We are pleased to announce that beginning April 1, 2014, the Red Bus will be free to ride. Please be aware that any unused fare change cards must be used by March 31, 2014 or they will lose their value. The removal of the fare will allow for faster boarding times at each stop as well as encourage the use of mass transportation.

Bike New York

Roosevelt Islanders can look forward to more bike education classes, events, and community involvement from Bike New York this year. The nonprofit organization will continue to offer free indoor cycling classes at Sportspark (250 Main Street), and will expand their program in Spring 2014 to include after-school activities, summer camps, and more free community events. Bike New York is also looking for residents who would be interested in teaching classes or volunteering to help out on the Island. If you would like to get involved, please contact their Community Outreach Manager, Caitlin Goodspeed at cgoodspeed@bikenewyork.org. RIOC and Bike New York are looking forward to a safe and bike-friendly Roosevelt Island in the future. Bike New York’s next class on Roosevelt Island is Bicycling Basics on January 15, 2014, 10:00 a.m. at Sportspark. For a full listing of their free classes, check their website at www.bikenewyork.org/learn/classes-workshops/overview.

Winter Storm Hercules

Many thanks go out to those employees who worked through the night during Winter Storm Hercules to ensure that roads and pathways were clear. While most pathways were cleared with relative ease, exposed areas, such as the lawn south of Rivercross, were subject to high winds that continually blew snow onto the path, necessitating multiple cleanings. During this icy season, please be aware that rock salt is less effective during extremely cold weather. Finally, while the MTA is responsible for snow and ice removal areas around the station, we encourage residents to let us know about any issues of this nature, so that RIOC can quickly notify the relevant parties. Residents are advised to continue to use caution while traveling during the winter months.

Classes at Sportspark

If you are looking for an enjoyable way to stay fit for the New Year, Sportspark (250 Main Street) offers a variety of indoor classes all year round. Currently, the gymnasium offers yoga and zumba classes three times per week, open basketball sessions, ping pong free play, and the Young Adult Program on Friday and Saturday nights. The pool is available for Open Swim seven days a week and offers several swimming and aerobics classes. For information about Sportspark’s offerings, check online at rioc.ny.gov/Sportspark.htm or call (212) 832-4514.