According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Notification issued 02/14/2015 at 5:00 PM. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for our area beginning Saturday 02/14/2015 at 4:00 PM until 7:00 AM on Monday, 02/16/2015. Residents are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel. Please drive slowly, use major streets or highways, and keep the name and number of at least one local towing service. Pedestrians should avoid slippery surfaces, dress in layers, and maintain a heightened awareness of cars, especially when crossing intersections. The National Weather Service is calling for 1-3 inches of snow with winds 30-40 mph with Gusts up to 60 mph and wind chill values between -5 and 5 degrees tonight. Sunday 2/15/2015 wind chill values will be between -5and 0 degrees in the morning and -15 to -5 degrees at night.
The Public Safety Department has designated a team of officers to search the island for any homeless individuals and request residents to notify the Public Safety Department at 212-832-4545 if they encounter any homeless individuals while moving about the island so that homeless outreach may be contacted.
To report any icy or other hazardous areas, please call the Public Safety Department at 212-832-4545 as soon as possible.
formerly known as the Report from the RIOC President.
During the past few winter storms, RIOC’s Operations team has worked into the night to remove snow and ice, lay down salt, and plow the roadways on Roosevelt Island. In addition to thanking them for their tireless efforts, I would like to thank those residents who moved their cars promptly off Main Street and the East and West Roads to allow preparations for snow removal to take place. Your cooperation helps us make travel safer on Roosevelt Island and is much appreciated.
If you would like to receive notifications in case of severe weather or emergencies, please visit rioc.ny.gov and click the “RIOC Advisories” link. RIOC Advisories is a community and emergency alert system that allows subscribers to receive notifications and important information via email, text message, and even phone calls if they so choose. While you may sign up for additional categories, we encourage all residents to sign up to receive at least Emergency and Severe Weather alerts. Remember, if we can’t reach you, we can’t alert you.
Manhattan Tram Station Elevators
Last year, it became clear to many that the elevators at the Manhattan Tram Station were becoming unreliable. As the elevators themselves are due for an overhaul, the most efficient way to deal with the issues is through a replacement of the current system. After rating and ranking responses to a Request for Proposals (RFP) to design two new, larger ADA-accessible elevators, RIOC has selected a contractor. The new elevators will replace the current smaller elevator as well as the red accessible lift, improving the station’s accessibility. A kickoff meeting will soon be held, where the elevator’s designers will present their proposals. The design is scheduled to be completed within 90 days. Once the design is complete, RIOC will seek a qualified contractor to build the elevators to specifications. We will continue to make any repairs necessary to the current system while the new system’s design and build period continues. The work will be conducted on a schedule that causes the least amount of disruption possible to travelers and commuters.
Community Cultural Center
Now that only a few items are left on the punch list, spaces in the newly renovated Community Cultural Center will soon be available by permit. As our community grows, many entities on this island have grown alongside it and are in need of meeting and activity space. Offering a fair and reasonable booking fee to all local organizations is a matter of ethics and impartiality, and it’s important to us to make the space available to as many local groups as possible on an equitable basis.
Lighting at the Motorgate Garage
Last year, lighting inside the Motorgate Garage was upgraded to brighter, more energy-efficient LED lighting. RIOC is currently getting proposals together for LED lighting to be installed near the Motorgate Garage Atrium and underneath the Helix Ramp. In addition, Con Edison is currently working to repair a power issue affecting the lights underneath the arcade near the Roosevelt Island post office. Once they replace the transformers supplying the area and the power issue is resolved, improvements to that area’s lighting can also be taken into consideration.
Contacting RIOC
Do you have questions or concerns about Roosevelt Island? If you’re looking to contact RIOC, there are a variety of ways to get in touch. RIOC’s Facebook page offers a contact form for you to submit questions, comments, or concerns. You can also visit our page for event photos, announcements, news, and more at www.facebook.com/RIOCNY, or send an email to information@rioc.ny.gov, or call the office at 212-832-4540. To access publicly available meeting records and other documents, please visit our official website at rioc.ny.gov.
According to advisory this morning from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)
Notification issued 2/13/2015 at 9:35 AM. The Manhattan Tram Station elevator and passenger lift are temporarily out of service. An advisory will be issued when service is restored.
RIOC provided this update on the current status of Tram Station elevators replacement:
Manhattan Tram Station Elevators
Last year, it became clear to many that the elevators at the Manhattan Tram Station were becoming unreliable. As the elevators themselves are due for an overhaul, the most efficient way to deal with the issues is through a replacement of the current system. After rating and ranking responses to a Request for Proposals (RFP) to design two new, larger ADA-accessible elevators, RIOC has selected a contractor. The new elevators will replace the current smaller elevator as well as the red accessible lift, improving the station’s accessibility. A kickoff meeting will soon be held, where the elevator’s designers will present their proposals. The design is scheduled to be completed within 90 days. Once the design is complete, RIOC will seek a qualified contractor to build the elevators to specifications. We will continue to make any repairs necessary to the current system while the new system’s design and build period continues. The work will be conducted on a schedule that causes the least amount of disruption possible to travelers and commuters.
RIOC Director of Engineering Jim Mortimer updated the RIOC Board Of Directors February 9 Operations Advisory Committee (by phone) on the current status of the Tram elevator replacement project. (Audio web cast of full meeting here)
RIOC President Charlene Indelicato reported that a larger space footprint at the Manhattan Tram Plaza is necessary for the new elevators which requires approvals from various NYC agencies adding that the Tram Elevator completion date should take:
... a year with everything going smoothly with all the agencies...
Here's the RIOC Operations Advisory Committee discussion of the Manhattan Tram Station Elevator replacement project.
Notification issued 2/13/2015 at 4:30 PM. Due to an elevator service outage at the Manhattan Tram Station, the RIOC Red Bus will provide special shuttle service to and from Manhattan for those with limited mobility beginning at 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM today.
From Manhattan to Roosevelt Island: The shuttle will depart from the southwest corner of 58th Street and 2nd Avenue every thirty minutes beginning at 4:00 PM*. The last shuttle will depart at 8:30 PM tonight.
From Roosevelt Island to Manhattan: The shuttle will depart from the Roosevelt Island Tram Station every thirty minutes. The last shuttle will depart at 8:00 PM tonight.
Signs will be posted at shuttle bus stop locations and Tram employees will direct passengers to the shuttle bus stops if necessary.
This shuttle service will not be provided over the weekend or on the February 16th Presidents’ Day holiday. If necessary, this daily shuttle service will be provided beginning Tuesday February 17th between 7 AM and 8:30 PM or until elevator or lift service is restored at the Manhattan Tram Station. Customers are advised to plan their travel accordingly and utilize alternative means of transportation. Thank you for your patience while we resolve this issue. Further advisories will be issued to notify the public of any changes or developments.
*While RIOC generally provides this service in case of a 24 hour or longer outage of both the elevator and the red lift, this service is being provided today at an earlier time due to freezing temperatures.
Image Of Manhattan Red Bus Shuttle Today
UPDATE 6:30 PM- Susana Gardete Hartmann shares her experience this morning commuting with a child stroller by Roosevelt Island Tram in this email she sent to RIOC:
I work at Weill Cornell Medical College and have two children of 2 and 4 years of age. My boys are attending the Child and Family center of The Rockefeller University (located at 63rd street and York avenue).
I commute everyday from RI to Upper East side (using the tram) with my two kids sitting on a double stroller. This morning our commute was a nightmare after noticing that the two elevators were broken. Luckily and by chance my husband decided to go with me this morning even without knowing about this problem (usually he starts working very early).
We both had to carry the double stroller down using the stairs. If I had been alone I would not have known what to do with my kids. Also, I was informed that the elevator in 63rd and Lexington avenue is still closed and so we can not use the F train to go home.
How are families with small children and without owning a car supposed to leave and come back to the island? As you can imagine this is a very stressing situation for me, for all other parents with small children and disabled people who have to commute everyday.
Taking into account this situation, I would appreciate if you could find a fast way to solve this problem that affects all RI residents.
UPDATE 2/15, 4:20 PM - According to RIOC:
Notification issued 02/17/2015 at 15:00PM. The Tram Elevator and the Red Lift at the Manhattan Tram Terminal remain out of service. It is anticipated that repairs will not be completed before Tuesday, February 17, 2015. Shuttle Bus Service will commence on Tuesday, February 17, 2015. Please remain alert for a follow-up advisory which will contain the Shuttle Bus Schedule.
UPDATE 2/16, 2:40 PM - A parent made her way to the Manhattan Tram Station platform yesterday afternoon.
According to RIOC:
Notification issued 2/16/2015 at 2:00 PM. Due to an elevator service outage at the Manhattan Tram Station, the RIOC Red Bus will provide special shuttle service to and from Manhattan for those with limited mobility.
From Roosevelt Island to Manhattan: The shuttle will depart from the Roosevelt Island Tram Station at 7:00 AM on February 17, 2015 every thirty minutes. The last shuttle will depart at 8:00 PM
From Manhattan to Roosevelt Island: The shuttle will depart from the southwest corner of 58th Street and 2nd Avenue every thirty minutes beginning at 7:30 AM ON February 17, 2015 The last shuttle will depart at 8:30 PM.
Signs will be posted at shuttle bus stop locations and Tram employees will direct passengers to the shuttle bus stops if necessary.
It's really, really cold in New York City today and the rest of the weekend. It's probably even colder on Roosevelt Island because we're in the middle of the East River.
NYC Mayor de Blasio has some tips for staying warm and urges you to call 311 if your heat or hot water is not working.
... To make sure there is new transportation to accommodate growth, the City will launch a new Citywide Ferry Service that will knit together existing East River routes with new landings and services to Astoria, the Rockaways, South Brooklyn, Soundview and the Lower East Side. Pegged to the cost of a Metrocard, service will launch in 2017 and will be supported by City operating support and a $55 million capital commitment....
Roosevelt Island will be part of a new Astoria route: Astoria, Long Island City – North, Roosevelt Island, East 34th Street, Pier 11 / Wall Street.
... about the new ferry service coming to Roosevelt Island. Mr. Kallos said the Roosevelt Island ferry service was part of a deal that included the Astoria Cove development approval.
Asked how the ferry dock would be funded, Mr. Kallos said he did not know the exact details but was confident that money was already set aside by the Federal Government, NYC and RIOC to get it accomplished. Still to be decided is whether it would be a RIOC or NYC Economic Development Corp dock....
During the February 9 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Operations Advisory Committee meeting (audio web cast here), I asked if RIOC was equally as comfortable as Council Member Kallos that funds will be available for the construction of a Roosevelt Island ferry dock.
RIOC President Charlene Indelicato said that they just found out about Roosevelt Island's inclusion in the Astoria ferry route "the other day". RIOC Directors Michael Shinozaki and David Kraut replied that they are not aware of any current funding source for the construction of a Roosevelt Island ferry dock. Mr. Kraut noted to me:
... So far its a pie in the sky concept that the Mayor has instigated and stop jumping on RIOC to respond instantly. We'll get there when we need to get there. We'll find the money when we need to find the money one way or another. Or maybe we won't and we'll need help....
Ms Indelicato said:
.... I don't think anybody would doubt that a ferry system would be very good... but nobody has identified any sources...
of funding.
Ms. Indelicato added that the Roosevelt Island ferry dock is:
... going to cost at least $10 million....
Here's the RIOC Operations Advisory Committee Roosevelt Island ferry dock disucssion.
... Trellis renovation construction problems caused by discovery of unknown structural wall...
Image Of Roosevelt Island Trellis Diner Behind Plywood Construction Fencing Today
Today, owner Alex Razaghi provides this update on Roosevelt Island Trellis Diner renovations:
We had a large problem taking down a load bearing wall. It was unknown to all parties that the load bearing wall was in fact there. We discovered it during the demolition process. We hired a structural engineer to draw up plans for taking it down.
However once we handed in those plans, we were informed that we would have to pay for a structural engineer of Hudson Related’s choosing to draw up separate plans. Once he was finished we would have to pay for a structural engineer for the building to draw up separate plans as well. Once all these plans were finished we would have to study all the plans to see what everyone was more comfortable with. Once this process was completed we would have to go to RIOC for a final approval. This process would not only take too long but would also cost too much. It already derailed construction for more than a month.
With no end in sight we revised the original plans of the store, changing the layout drastically. With the new layout we will not be altering the load bearing wall. The new architectural plan was ready as of yesterday. We are ready and eager to proceed with construction again and are currently waiting on Hudson Related’s approval to start again.
I always anticipated we would have some bumps along the way but I never figured they would take this much time or be this costly. I'm happy to report that the space aged design is still the same. Sadly when dealing with the issues we have, an estimated time frame is impossible. We don't even have permission to start work again yet. But when we do start again at some point I should have a time frame and I will be sure to share it at that point.
More from Mr. Razaghi on the past, present and future of Roosevelt Island at this previous post.
Below is the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Island Services Committee (ISC) report to the February 2015 Common Council Meeting submitted by Chair Aaron Hamburger
RIRA – ISLAND SERVICES COMMITTEE (ISC) REPORT TO COMMON COUNCIL ‐ 2/4/15
The ISC met on 1/13/15 with 8 members present from the total membership of 12.
Active Issues – The ISC reviewed all active issues from the last term and decided to continue the 7 issues in the new term. ISC members were assigned “Lead Person” responsibilities for each issue.
The issues are:
New Elevator at Manhattan Tram Station
Condition of Sportspark Facilities
Easy Access to Tram for Strollers, Bicycles and the Disabled at the Roosevelt Island (RI) Station
Re‐establish Boy Scouts on Roosevelt Island (RI)
Management of Roosevelt Island Garden Club
New Public Library
Control of Rats and Pigeons on RI
New Issue – Dogs are urinating on the outside walls of Roosevelt Landings under the Main St. canopy. The situation is particularly acute at the north end of the canopy. Walls are being damaged and there are unsightly messes in this area. We discussed a number of ways to attack this problem including getting Public Safety to issue summons, getting RL management to routinely hose down the sidewalk under the canopy, posting signs in the affected areas and experimenting with an anti‐urination spray for dogs.
The ISC expects to next meet in mid‐February
Let the RIRA ISC know if you have an issue or concern about Roosevelt Island services and they may be able to help.
Religious Island: Religion and Worship on Blackwell's Island
Tuesday, February 10, 6:30pm - For Adults
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many denominations served the people who lived, worked, and visited Roosevelt Island. Find out the fascinating history of the religions of the Island.
Image Of Captioning For Hearing Impaired At 12//14 Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Town Hall
According to the 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 9, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
AGENDA:
Review of Current Projects
Discussion of Community Programs
Discussion of Handicap Accessibility Issues (Hearing impaired remediation in meeting facilities)
Any Other Committee Business That May be Brought Before the Committee
***
The Open Meetings Law of the State of New York requires that all public bodies conduct meetings, convened for the purpose of officially conducting public business, in a manner open to attendance by the general public to observe and listen.
This Operations Advisory committee meeting was rescheduled from January 26 that was cancelled due to weather.
More on making Roosevelt Island public meeting accessible for hearing impaired people at this prior post.
The first seminar in this series was on Back Pain and held January 28 featuring a presentation by:
... Carolyn E Thompson, DO, Interventional Spine and Sports Medicine Fellow in the Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Thompson also holds a Post-Doctoral Clinical Fellow and Assistant appointment in the Department of Rehabilitation at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Thompson specializes in non-surgical sports medicine with a particular interest in ultrasound diagnostics and guided injections, fluoroscopic guided interventional injections, and sideline injuries management....
The seminar began with RIWHO's Laila Amatullah introducing Cornell Tech's Assistant Director of Government and Community Relations Jane Swanson
and then Dr. Carolyn Thomspson.
Dr. Thompson discussed causes and treatment for back pain beginning with an introduction to back pain, the anatomy of the lower back, common diagnoses as well as treatments and prevention for back pain.
Prolonged sitting is the worst possible thing to do to your back emphasized Dr. Thompson and recommends proper seating posture.
Dr. Thompson takes questions from the audience on use of Inversion Tables, Medicine Balls, Pilates training, Standing Desks, anti inflammatory medications, heat and ice treatment, pain recurrence, acupuncture, chiropractors, exercise and more.
More information, including contact information for Dr. Thompson (212 746 1500 - 525 East 68th Street)
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
