Roosevelt Island Community Space Available For Meetings, Classes, Theater, Dance & Fitness - RIOC Offering Tour Of Renovated Cultural Center Space Thursday April 9 To Learn More

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) is conducting tours of the newly renovated Cultural Center at 548 Main Street.

Image Of Roosevelt Island Cultural Center Entrance

According to RIOC:

On Thursday, April 9th, tours of the newly renovated Cultural Center will be offered at 10 AM and 6 PM. Advanced signups are recommended. If you wish to attend a tour, please email permits@rioc.ny.gov.

RIOC has established 3 different fee schedules for use of the various spaces at the Cultural Center by groups and individuals based upon the size of the space and whether the user is a resident, resident non profit group or non resident. Below is the Roosevelt Island Cultural Center Fee Schedule

As previously reported, RIOC:

... approved a non-exclusive license agreement for use of portions of the Cultural Center (the theater, workshop and theater storage room) at no cost in exchange for MST&DA to operate and maintain the space. MST&DA will be required to pay the non-profit hourly rate (see below) for areas outside of the agreed license....

The Main Street Theater & Dance Alliance (MST&DA) license agreement with RIOC for the Cultural Center space is through the end of 2015 at which time RIOC will issue a Request For Proposals (RFP) for the space. The history of MST&DA will be considered in evaluating the Cultural Center RFP.

Here's the Roosevelt Island Cultural Center Theater,

dressing room,

dance and exercise floors

as well as Common Area adjacent to meeting rooms.

Roosevelt Island Residents and organizations are encouraged to inform RIOC of any interest in using the Cultural Center Space for your meetings or other needs.

The Cultural Center use and fee schedule was discussed during the March 19 RIOC Real Estate Development Advisory Committee meeting held at the Cultural Center Theater (audio web cast of meeting). Here's what happened.

Part 1. RIOC Director Howard Polivy provided an overview of Roosevelt Island community spaces including at Sportspark, Good Shepherd Community Center and the newly renovated Cultural Center space. Mr. Polivy emphasized that use of the community center spaces will "evolve" over time. RIOC President Charlene Indelicato added that all of the Roosevelt Island groups seeking community space:

... must be treated in a fair and equitable manner...

noting that Public Authorities, like RIOC, are under a great deal of scrutiny from NY State. Ms. Indelicato added that the intent of RIOC is not to make money on the Cultural Center.



Part 2. RIOC Community Relations Specialist Erica Spencer-El discussed how the policy and procedures for the new Cultural Center space were determined.



Part 3. RIOC's Donna Masly discussed Cultural Center fees and usage policies followed by discussion between the RIOC and residents attending the meeting.

Also a very interesting, though brief, exchange (at the 35 minute 30 second mark) between RIOC Board Member Margie Smith, RIOC CFO Frances Walton and Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Vice President Sherie Helstien regarding Roosevelt Island ground rent payed to RIOC being owed to NY State due to the State's prior infrastructure investment in Roosevelt Island.



Part 4. Discussion regarding why Main Street Theater & Dance Alliance is treated differently than other organizations seeking use of the Cultural Center Space. Also, discussion of religious organizations using the Cultural Center Space.



Bottom line, if you are interested in renting Roosevelt Island community space at the Cultural Center sign up to take the tour tomorrow and see the space for yourself.

More on Roosevelt Island Cultural Center Community space issues here, here and here.