F Coney Island-bound trains run via the M from Roosevelt Av to 47-50 Sts
Weekend, 11:15 PM Fri to 5 AM Mon, Aug 15 - 18
No Coney Island-bound F service at 21 St-Queensbridge, Roosevelt Island, Lexington Av/63 St and 57 St.
A change in ownership is coming to Roosevelt Island's 1003 unit Roosevelt Landings building complex currently owned by Urban American.
... is one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated owners, operators and investors in property with investments in real estate assets totaling $95 billion and interests in over 275 million square feet of commercial space globally, Brookfield Property Partners is made up of sector-specific operating platforms in the office, retail, multi-family and industrial asset classes...Among the assets owned by Brookfield Property Partners are the 5 buildings with 8.4 million square feet of office space and 277,000 square feet of retail at Brookfield Place, formerly the World Financial Center.
... The Putnam portfolio has multiple addresses including the 1,193-unit 3333 Broadway, the 1,003-unit Roosevelt Landings at 510-580 Main Street on Roosevelt Island; the 761-unit River Crossing at 1940-1966 First Avenue and 420 East 102nd Street; the 600-unit Heritage at 1295 Fifth Avenue, 1309 Fifth Avenue and 1660 Madison Avenue; and the Miles and the Parker at 1890 Lexington Avenue and 1990 Lexington Avenue, with a total of 405 units. Urban American, headed by Philip Eisenberg, and its partners purchased the collection of buildings for about $938 million in 2007...The change in ownership interests at Roosevelt Landings will be the second Roosevelt Island building ownership change this summer. As reported last June 26, Roosevelt Island's Manhattan Park buildings ownership undertook an ownership change and mortgage refinancing valued at approximately $250 million. The Manhattan Park transaction required the consent of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) which approved the deal in exchange for $12.6 million to RIOC:
... The RIOC Board of Directors approved the Manhattan Park partnership restructuring and mortgage financing at yesterday's meeting. RIOC President Charlene Indelicato said "it was a very good agreement with Manhattan Park" and that the $12.6 million proceeds to RIOC will go into the RIOC General Fund....Not known at this time if RIOC's consent is needed for the ownership change at Roosevelt Landings. Will update with any further information.
On August 7th, as I was walking with my mother for dinner to celebrate her birthday, I was attacked by a group of young people on Roosevelt Island. They called us “Osama bin Laden” and told us to “go back to your country.” One of them punched me in the face. Another one punched me in the back of the neck. I tried to pursue them but had to call the police and go the hospital. My family and I always deplored hate crimes from a distance. Ever since August 7th, we now had to experience not just the pain inflicted from such a crime but also have to bear the agony during the healing process.Here's Dr Batra's statement from today's press conference
Thankfully, we found much needed support from family, friends and from citizens of this country far and near. Unfortunately, I was surrounded by hatred during the incident but now we are surrounded by positive energy.
As much as the healing process is painful, it also gave us the time to reflect on certain things:
Thank you.
- How come young minds that have so much to learn and explore have become the breeding grounds of hatred? Should we hold these teenagers accountable or their parents, or the education system here in New York City, which has failed them and as a result has failed us?
- My mother and I were called “Osama bin Laden.” Is the “O” word the new “N” word?
- Ever since 9/11 happened, the whole world changed forever. Sikhs became victims of hate crime in increasing numbers. Despite so many resources being channeled towards diversity awareness campaigns, Sikhs are still being attacked. We need more proactive strategies at all levels of society to end this bigotry.
- Policy makers need to come up with a plan to develop and implement a mandatory diversity education program in schools and colleges that teaches young people about the value of all faiths and ethnicities. That's the right time to catch these young minds and offer them the opportunity to explore the beauty that lies in diversity
- Not taking any action is a recipe for disaster and an invitation for further abuse/crime. I look for justice but not for vengeance. If these young people or their parents come forward and accept their fault, we can let the healing begin and take a positive approach to involve them in the community and pass a message of peace and tolerance to society at large.
Three Sikh men—all violently attacked because of their turbans in separate New York City hate crimes—today called on government and police leaders to enact policy reforms to address violence and discrimination against minority communities in New York City.The statements from all press conference participants are available at the Sikh coalition web site. Will have more on today's press conference later and here's post from last Friday about the incident.
At a press conference organized by the Sikh Coalition, Dr. Jaspreet Singh Batra, a medical scientist, recounted how he was attacked and injured last Thursday on Roosevelt Island. Speaking via video because of the seriousness of his injuries, Sandeep Singh, a business owner and father, deemed his slow recovery a “miracle” after being run over and dragged by a driver in a pick-up truck on a public street in Queens late last month. Both assaults, which were accompanied by racial and religious slurs, occurred almost one year after Dr. Prabhjot Singh was attacked in Harlem. Dr. Singh joined the men in solidarity.
“This is not a Sikh problem,” said Dr. Prabhjot Singh. “This is a human problem, a New York City problem, and an American problem about how we take responsibility for each other. I hope that Mayor De Blasio and Police Commissioner Bratton will follow through on meeting with us to find a productive way forward. We can't afford to be satisfied with how things were.”
According to surveys by the Sikh Coalition, violence and discrimination affect Sikhs of all ages. According to one report, 60 percent of Sikh children in New York City have experienced bullying and harassment because of their religion, and 9 percent of Sikh adults have been physically assaulted because of their religion since 9/11. Sikh advocates believe that the New York Police Department (NYPD) contributes to the problem by refusing to hire turbaned Sikhs who wish to serve as police officers, and the Sikh Coalition has called on government officials to create a task force to systematically address hate violence and discrimination against all communities in New York City.
“Sikhs are repeatedly attacked because of the way we look, and the NYPD discriminates against us because of the way we look,” said Rajdeep Singh, Director of Law and Policy for the Sikh Coalition. “How can we expect the New York City government to prevent bias attacks against Sikhs when the government itself is biased against Sikhs? We need real reform, and we need it now.”
Bike New York Roosevelt Island Community Outreach Manager Caitlin Goodspeed reports:
1. The Bike New York Pop-Up Bike ShopMore information on Bike New York's Roosevelt Island summer programs from previous post.
Image Of Bike NY Roosevelt Island Pop-Up Bike Shop
will be closed over Labor Day Weekend. The free service will resume the following Saturday. Reminder: The shop is open from 10am - 2pm but the line will be cut off at 1:30pm in order to ensure a 2pm closing time.
2. There are a few more spots left for the ride to Summer Streets this Saturday, August 16 at 9am. We'll ride over the Queensboro Bridge to Park Avenue in Manhattan where the streets are going to be open to cyclists and pedestrians (no cars!) from 7am - 1pm. Participants must bring their own bikes and helmets. For more information and to register please email cgoodspeed@bikenewyork.org.
The next ride in our free summer series will take place on Thursday, August 21.
Thursday Evening Bike Ride Image From Caitlin Goodspeed
We'll meet at our container under the helix ramp at 6:15pm for a ride around the island. Bikes and helmets will be provided! Post-ride we'll head to a local establishment for dinner (riders are responsible for their own dinner).
3. We have two classes for Roosevelt Island residents only coming up! Bikes, helmets, and great instructors will be provided for both classes. The first class will be held at Sportspark Gym on Tuesday, September 9 from 10am - 1pm.
Sportspark Adult Learn To Ride Bike Class From Caitlin Goodspeed
The class is called Bicycling Basics and it's designed for people who know how to ride a bike but would like to gain better handling skills. Please click here to register.
The second class will be held at the Capobianco Field basketball court on Saturday, October 5 from 10am-12pm. It's a Learn to Ride-Adults class designed for adults who don't know how to ride a bike. Please click here to register.
Don't forget to sign up for Roosevelt Island Local Performer Night on Eleanor's Pier! The response is… http://t.co/VLgGpCeeOx
— Main Street Sweets (@MainStSweetsNYC) August 13, 2014Don't forget to sign up for Roosevelt Island Local Performer Night on Eleanor's Pier! The response is great and we are extending the show to Saturday night! It's this weekend, 8/15 & 8/16. Get your name on the list at Main Street Sweets and you will be contacted about your approximate time slot. Please sign up by 5pm tomorrow!Here's a duo of local performers recently at Eleanor's Pier.
Upright Bass, horns , etc on Roosevelt Island ?Here's a couple of Roosevelt Island guys, Shucks Road, who shot a music video near Eleanor's Pier last year.
Any jazz musicians interested in playing once a week for fun on Roosevelt Island ..Real book, Songbook ...opportunities will develop ...
Please contact jazzb550@yahoo.com
The NY State Inspector General not only released a report on corrupt practices taking place at the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) under a prior RIOC President and staff last week, but also issued a letter regarding the RIOC Public Safety Department under a previous RIOC President and staff.
Here's background regarding the Inspector General's Roosevelt Island Public Safety letter.
Reported February 5, 2013 that current Roosevelt Island NYC Council Member Ben Kallos (at the time candidate for that seat in the Democratic Party Primary) sent the following letter to the NY State Inspector General calling for an investigation regarding brutality allegations brought against the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department. An excerpt of the letter from February 5 post:
... Yesterday, the Daily News in an article titled "So-called 'peace officers' on Roosevelt Island are being sued over savage beating of 20-year-old who claims he was just waiting in front of a building" reported that Roosevelt Island resident Anthony Jones suffered fractured ribs and a pierced lung in an 'unprovoked' attack without being charged with a crime at the hands of state employees and officers of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation's Public Safety Department.Following the February 16, 2013 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Accountability/Brutality Demonstration, Mr. Kallos again called for an investigation of alleged brutality incidents by RIOC Public Safety Department.
Under New York State Executive Law Article 4-A the Public Safety Department and its employees are a part of Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation which is a State entity under the jurisdiction of your office.
On behalf of Anthony Jones and the residents of Roosevelt Island, I am writing to request that the Office of the Inspector General investigate the incident alleged in this article as well as previous incidents relating to the conduct of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Public Safety Department.
We respectfully request that any resolution to your investigation include the implementation and ongoing support for a body comprised of residents of Roosevelt Island to oversee and review the conduct of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Public Safety Department....
... I am unable to comment on any particular incident, partially because RIOC has been served notice of claim, but also because I don’t have objective details. RIOC has referred recent incidents to the Inspector General of the State of NY for review. Once we receive the results of that review we’ll take such actions as we find necessary....RIOC Dirctor Margie Smith said on February 28, 2013 that the brutality allegations presented to the RIOC Board will be forwarded to the NY State Inspector General for review.
... whether sufficient policies exist to ensure the timely arraignment of hospitalized prisoners in arrests made by RIOC Public Safety Department, and if so, whether these policies were followed in the Jones case...
RIOC PSD has addressed the issue of timely arraignment of arrestees by additional training, and developing policies and procedures that will ensure the timely arraignment of hospitalized prisoners.Also, note that the brutality allegations described occurred prior to the time current RIOC President Indelicato and Public Safety Department Director Jack McManus took their positions. The current RIOC Board members were all serving during this period of time.
The PSC will respond directly to the IG regarding this information.
We find it incomprehensible and unacceptable that the IG's letter focuses solely on the Anthony Jones incident in relation to PSD policies toward hospitalized detainees, rather than the clear pattern of abuse and misconduct of the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department under the regime of Keith Guerra.
The PSC documented numerous cases of Island residents and visitors who were the recipients of unprovoked violence and unconstitutional policing over many years. These testimonies were forwarded to the IG office by the RIOC Board and Ben Kallos's office.
The posture taken in the IG letter criticizes the PSD for failing to properly arraign Anthony Jones, thereby jeopardizing a credible prosecution, rather than the false arrest and brutal mauling that almost took his life. The PSC registers our strong rejection of the narrow scope of the IG letter which ignores the victims of a dark period in Island history.
Island residents united in a struggle that led to Guerra's resignation. We will continue to fight for the record to be set straight.
A Helicopter hovered low over Roosevelt Island
The helicopter already stayed still above #rooseveltisland subway station for 10mins. Any reason? @Rooseveltisland pic.twitter.com/XTrVZSkXIo
— Shaopeng He (@Shaopeng0426) August 12, 2014
earlier this afternoon and NYPD Boats were waiting close by in the East River
Nypd boats in east river by Roosevelt Island near Queenboro bridge. Helicopter above. pic.twitter.com/Riy0MvdJvA
— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) August 12, 2014
as the NYPD Emergency Services Unit worked to prevent a man jumping from the Queensboro Bridge.
Nypd deploys inflatable yellow pad on Roosevelt Island under Queensboro bridge as officers try to prevent man jumping pic.twitter.com/3A2hgdsbjC
— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) August 12, 2014
NYS 76th Assembly District Democratic Primary Debate Monday, August 11, 2014 6:30PMThe Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) hosted a Meet The 76 AD Democratic Party Candidates Town Forum on August 5.
The four Democratic candidates of New York State 76th Assembly District (Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island) will be participating in a Primary debate vying to replace outgoing assembly member Micah Kellner. The Primary Election will be held on September 9th.
Sponsors: Citizens Union, Our Town and Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. Candidates:
WHERE: Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, 331 East 70th Street, between First and Second Avenues.
- Gus Christensen
- Ed Hartzog
- David Menegon
- Rebecca Seawright.
WHEN: Monday, August 11, 2014 from 6:30-8:30PM
The event is free and open to the public however space is limited. Please RSVP to
debates@citizensunion.org or call 212-227-0342 x 39.
Regarding the IG report, please note:Still no comment for the RIOC Board of Directors on the IG Roosevelt Island corruption report.
The past administration of then RIOC President Torres, Vice-President Martinez and CFO Chironis was prior to the current RIRA administration, and well before my time as RIRA President. The community thanks the Inspector General for its service and report, and has every confidence that the current RIOC administration will not engage in such practices as identified therein.
As to the Blackwell Park attack:
Roosevelt Island is a diverse community that takes pride in its differences and ability to come together, no matter a neighbor's background. Violence of any sort or form on our Island should never be tolerated, regardless of its basis. News of any attack that occurs on Roosevelt Island is a disturbing one, and we will be asking our RIRA Public Safety Committee to closely monitor and report on the situation.
The RIOC governance structure is deliberately kept weak by Albany so that Albany leaders can exert maximum control over development decisions. Having a weak structure may suit the Governor and the legislative leaders, when it comes time to making development decisions that may be unpopular with the local populace, but having a such a weak structure also means the potential for corruption is “unlimited:” For every “scandal” that the IG uncovered, there are probably ten more that remain hidden. The RIOC governance structure, as weak as it is, is a recipe for disaster and an invitation to abuse.And:
I am distressed by this violent attack on a man walking down the street on RI minding his own business – an attack that occurred because of prejudice and hate. He was attacked because he “looked different” or “dressed differently” than those that attacked him. This is prejudice and those that attacked this innocent man must be found and brought to justice for their hateful deed.It is important to note that no determination has been made by NYPD that a "hate crime" occurred. The incident is being investigated.
We are all brothers and sisters, and cultural differences should be celebrated, not looked upon with suspicion or hate. This is true everywhere, but especially on RI with its large number of residents of all nations employed by the United Nations, an organization dedicated to peace and brotherhood.
(1) I call on RIOC and PSD to immediately disseminate information to the community, perhaps starting with presentations at the school and/or at churches or other community organizations, pointing out that brotherhood is key and dispelling religious, cultural, ethnic, or racial prejudice, which has no place on RI, in NY, or in the US. Despite the monumental and long overdue achievement of electing and re-electing an African American President after approximately 265 years of the existence of the United States, bringing the hope that America had finally entered a “post-racial” age, cultural/ethnic prejudice still unfortunately exists. It is up to us to call for the preservation of our community’s peace and security by requesting that RIOC and PSD immediately implement an education program as outlined above.
(2) PSD needs to allocate officer resources more effectively. If necessary, if there are inadequate number of officers, the NYPD can supplement the presence of officers on the ground. To be the victim of hateful slurs and violently attacked at 8PM – when the sun is in fact still out at this time of year – is unacceptable here, in our community, or anywhere else in the US. Where was PS when this attack occurred? Residents need to be reassured that their reasonable expectation of security on the island is well-founded. Perhaps a Town Hall meeting wherein PSD can describe the measures they take to ensure residents’ security can be held.
Reported last July 15 on NYC Council Member Ben Kallos allocating discretionary funds
...I am aware of these organizations that have received funding and amounts. Is the list accurate?A spokesperson for Mr. Kallos confirmed the funding list was accurate, adding:
Roosevelt Island Seniors 30,000
ISLAND KIDS 15,000
Junior Tennis League 10,000
Child School 5,000
Four Freedoms Park 10,000
TOTAL $70,000
Did any other Roosevelt Island organization receive funding?
I suspect the Roosevelt Island Disabled Organization, Roosevelt Island Historical Society and Roosevelt Island Youth Program may not be happy being left out of funding....
... We engaged in aggressive outreach via email blasts and phone calls to inform the Roosevelt Island and East Side communities about discretionary funding opportunities and deadlines. We funded every Roosevelt Island group that applied, and the amounts were equal to or more than the amounts they received last year. From what I know, Roosevelt Island Disabled Association, Roosevelt Island Historical Society, and Roosevelt Island Youth Program do valuable work serving the Roosevelt Island community, and I strongly encourage them to apply for funding next year...Roosevelt Island organizations may not have to wait until next year to receive NYC Council discretionary funds.
The City Council has decided to reopen the discretionary application process however it is limited to the post budget initiative designations. This is intended to provide an opportunity to groups that missed the original deadline. The initiatives are narrow in scope and not all details regarding eligibility are available but in the interest of exploring every option, the Council Member has requested that you complete the application at the following link: http://council.nyc.gov/html/budget/application.shtmlIf you missed out on applying last time for NYC Council discretionary funds, here's another opportunity.
This does not guarantee funding but allows consideration where this was not possible before. The deadline for this application is the close of business on August 15th. We urge you to complete it in advance of the deadline in case any issues arise. Please take note of the reference number at the end of the application and forward this information to us....
You're invited to free monthly movies at the Roosevelt Island branch of the New York Public Library.
MOVIES AT THE LIBRARYYou can find more free events at the Roosevelt Island Public Library here.
8-12-2014 The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013) (PG 13). Lots of laughs in this wacky parody of the Magic business as Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi & Jim Carrey star as competing Magicians.
8-26-2014 The Delta Force (1986) (R). Tough guys Lee Marvin and Chuck Norris combat ruthless terrorists who have high-jacked a passenger jet.
10-14-2014 The Big Red One (1980) (R). Lee Marvin plays a grizzled Army Sargent who leads a group of men into combat against the Nazi forces in World War II. Also Starring Mark Hamill and Robert Carradine.
10-21-2014 Live and Let Die (1973) (PG). Roger Moore stars as secret agent James Bond (license to kill 007). Bond does battle with a deadly crime organization that has tentacles in the heroin trade as well as politics and assassination. Bonds adventures take him to NYC, New Orleans, and the Caribbean.
11-11-2014 JAWS (1975) (PG). The idyllic peace of a beach community is destroyed by the menace of huge and ravenous Great White Shark. The local Police Chief (Roy Scheider), a grizzled Ex-Navy man (Robert Shaw), and a Marine Biologist (Richard Dreyfuss) join forces in attempting to catch the shark.
11-25-2014 The Cotton Club (1984) (R). New York City in the 1930’s, the lives of the Jazz musicians and dancers who perform, and the ruthless gangsters and jet-set who wine and dine at this famous Harlem Night Club cross paths. Starring Gregory Hines and Richard Gere.
12-9-2014 Coffy (1973) (R). A nurse becomes a one woman wrecking crew when she seeks revenge on the drug-pushers who hooked her little sister on heroin. Starring Pam Grier.
12-23-2014 A Christmas Story (1983) (PG). It’s the Christmas season in 1940’s Indiana. Young Ralphie wants a Red Rider B.B. gun for Christmas, but every adult he talks to including a department store Santa tells him: “you’ll shoot your eye out, kid!” Will Ralphie’s Christmas wishes come true?
MOVIES START AT 6:00 pm.
524 Main Street New York, N.Y. 10044
(212) 308-6243
These events are free to the public.
