F Coney Island-bound trains run via the E from Roosevelt Av to Canal St, then via the A to Jay St-MetroTech
Weekend & Holiday , 11:45 PM Fri to 5 AM Tue, May 22 - 26
Trains run express from Roosevelt Av to Queens Plaza.
No Coney Island-bound service at 21 St-Queensbridge, Roosevelt Island, Lexington Av/63 St, 57, 47-50 Sts, 42 St-Bryant Pk, 34 St-Herald Sq, 23, 14, B'way-Lafayette Sts, 2 Av, Delancey St, East Broadway and York St.
Please be advised that the MTA has issued a weekend service advisory for the F train, which may affect travel plans. The Tram will run on a rush hour schedule from 7:00 AM until 10:00 PM to accommodate any increase in traffic. Please plan your travel accordingly and visit mta.info/weekender or call 511 for more information.
For electronic updates on F Train service, sign up for MTA Alerts at mymtaalerts.com.
There will be a meeting about the Roosevelt Island NYPD Explorers with the 114 precinct on May 27 at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street)
Ben Kallos reports in this press release today:
The Law Enforcement Explorers Program is coming to Roosevelt Island in a partnership between the 114th Precinct, the Public Safety Department and Council Member Ben Kallos’ Office, it was announced today. After a 20-year-old was shot in the abdomen on April 25 in the Roosevelt Landings Complex, stakeholders came together to find a safe and productive outlet for young Roosevelt Islanders. A May 27 event at Good Shepherd Center at 7 p.m., co-sponsored by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, the 114th Precinct, RIOC and the Public Safety Department will introduce the community to the Law Enforcement Explorers and young people sign up.
The NYPD Law Enforcement Explorers is an educational program for New Yorkers ages 14-20 aimed towards community service and laying the groundwork for a career in law enforcement. Students learn from the five experience areas: Life Skills, Service Learning, Character Education, Leadership Experience, and Career. Roosevelt Island youth will be transported to and from the 114th Precinct for the program, which will meet regularly. There are also opportunities to apply for additional programming. Each Explorer program has an Officer as an on-site Post Advisor, and there are about 4,000 posts across New York City. It only costs $24/year, which makes it a low-cost and effective way to prepare teenagers for college and career.
"Mentorship and training from NYPD Law Enforcement Explorers is our answer to recent gun violence on Roosevelt Island. We are providing youth ages 14 to 20 with programming that will set them on a path to free or low-cost college and a career. Answering violence with compassion will lift our community and our youth,” said Council Member Ben Kallos.
"We are excited to partner with our local elected officials and the 114th Precinct to bring the NYPD Explorers Program to Roosevelt Island. The initiative will help facilitate a broader understanding of law enforcement services and will provide for opportunities for our island youth to work closely with officers from our Public Safety Department and the NYPD. Participants will not only gain a working knowledge of law enforcement work, but will also have the opportunity to learn about the importance of service and giving back to their community,” said Charlene Indelicato, President and Chief Executive Officer, Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation.
The NYPD Law Enforcement Explorers is one of the Department's best community programs geared towards our youth. The program is geared for individuals aged 14-20 looking to pursue a career in law enforcement. The 114 Precinct in conjunction with Councilmember Ben Kallos and Roosevelt Island Public Safety is very proud to host the first Roosevelt Island NYPD Explorer initiative. We are looking to target our Roosevelt Island youth. Anyone interested please join us on May 27,” said Captain Peter Fortune, Commanding Officer of the 114th Precinct.
"During my tenure with the NYPD, I commanded three (3) Patrol Precincts, each of which had an Explorer Post, giving me an opportunity to see the benefits of Exploring first hand. A sense of belonging, accomplishment, and good citizenship are a few of those benefits. I look forward to working with our local elected officials, the 114th Precinct, and our Public Safety Department in affording this opportunity to the younger people of Roosevelt Island,” said John McManus, Roosevelt Island Director of Public Safety.
“The RIRA Public Safety Committee supports the creation of services for this population, believing that if engaged in productive activities, with purposeful direction, there will be an improvement in the quality of life of all. We support this initiative,” said Erin Feely-Nahem, Chair of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association Public Safety Committee.
“Thank you to the Detective Negron with the 114th Precinct, Charlene Indelicato of RIOC and Jack McManus of the Public Safety Department for their excellent work to make this happen,” said Council Member Ben Kallos. “It is also my pleasure to with Erin Feely-Nahem of RIRA and follow her guidance in an effort to support all of the members of our community.”
— Rebecca Seawright (@SeawrightForNY) May 22, 2015
was held last night at the Good Shepherd Community Center. In addition to Ms. Seawright,
participating in the Roosevelt Island Town Hall was Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, State Senator Jose Serrano, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and NYC Council Member Ben Kallos as well as a large crowd of Roosevelt Island residents.
The Town Hall was moderated by Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Member Joyce Short. Ms. Seawright began the Town Hall by announcing that she received information from Governor Andrew Cuomo's office that Roosevelt Island Public Purpose Funds will be restored for this year and will be on the agenda for June RIOC Board meeting.
Governor Cuomo's Deputy Director of State Operations for Policy Andrew Kennedy told Ms Seawright:
As discussed, I and staff at RIOC disagreed with the Authorities Budget Office findings with regard to RIOC’s ability to support vital community-based organizations that serve Island residents. We are committed to supporting the work of the organizations on Roosevelt Island as we have done in the past. To that end, RIOC staff will advance of those specific projects for board approval at the next RIOC Board meeting.
Ms Seawright then introduced Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer who discussed and encouraged applications to Community Board 8, which represents Roosevelt Island and the Upper East Side. Ms Brewer added that 16 and 17 year olds can serve on the Community Board and one already does.
Next up was NYC Council Member Ben Kallos who talked about:
Elected officials with RIOC acting as a team to serve Roosevelt Island,
Importance of Media for government transparency,
Participatory Budget,
Proposed Sutton Place 90 Story Skyscraper which will cast a shadow on Roosevelt Island and Queens ("billionaire should not take light and air from Roosevelt Island"),
Ferry Service,
Public Library and audio looping,
Public Safety NYPD Explorers Program for Youth,
Thanked his Roosevelt Island community representative Joe Strong, who is leaving for college, for his service and
NY State Senator Jose Serrano spoke about the great diversity and commonality of his 29th district which includes Roosevelt Island, South and West Bronx, Randalls Island, East Harlem, Upper East Side, Central Park and the Upper West Side. Mr. Serrano noted the uniqueness of Roosevelt Island and emphasized his service commitment to Roosevelt Island, affordable housing, clean air, the Arts and community self determination.
Then came questions and answers from the audience on ferry service, new Con Ed gas line,
police protection, RIOC compliance with federal, state and city law, importance of Tram service, RIOC Governance, inviting Governor Cuomo to Roosevelt Island, affordable housing,
For the last month, DYCD has been pressing us to register as many students as possible for our Summer Camp, and were promised an additional reconciliation funds for it. In accordance, the Roosevelt Island Youth Program / Beacon conducted an aggressive campaign and registered 194 youth, with an additional 50 placed on a waiting list based on the allocated grant. In addition, our staff worked hard to create a detailed work scope curriculum (we call Around Your World in 7 Weeks).
However, last week DYCD sent us a distressing message alerting us that the promised budget will not be available to us. We are now forced to turn down over 170 applicants, even after they were promised a place to go this summer.
As you are well aware, all Private Summer Camps stopped accepting registrations months ago, and the parents of our self-contained community are left without any viable solution. The RIYP is the only available source for a Summer Camp, especially when our community is struggling to offer our youths a safe haven, away from street trouble and crime.
UPDATE 4/26 - Here's text of 4/21 letter sent by Mr. Kallos to Mayor de Blasio and DYCD Commissioner Bill Chong in support of restoring RIYP Summer Camp funding.
RE: Roosevelt Island Youth Program Beacon
Dear Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Chong,
Many residents of Roosevelt Island have contacted my office to express concerns over the defunding of the Roosevelt Island Beacon summer programs. On behalf of this community, I ask that you reinstate the Reconciliation Funds so that many more youth can attend these invaluable programs.
Roosevelt Island Beacon summer programming has been essential to so many families on Roosevelt Island, especially those who cannot afford camps. According to the Roosevelt Island Youth Program, they were notified by the Department of Youth and Community Development officially that they would receive Reconciliation Funds this summer. On May 8, they received an email stating that the money would be redirected to schools with bigger challenges. The Youth Program registered 194 youth with an additional 50 on the waiting list based on the original allocation. With the new allocation, they inform me that they would only be able accept 70 students. Therefore, they would have to turn away 174 children interested in enrolling, including 124 students who had already been accepted.
Restoring funding to the Roosevelt Island Beacon summer programs would be in line with your commitment to support afterschool and summer programs for students from all backgrounds.
If the program had to shrink, it would be a heartbreaking turn of events for the community. Parents rely on these programs to provide engagement and opportunity when they cannot afford traditional summer programming. I implore you to restore these funds, and look forward to working with you to resolve the issue for the constituents of Roosevelt Island.
Sincerely,
Macy’s and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today that on Saturday, July 4th, the 39th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® will rumble to life over New York City, igniting the skyline over the East River with the nation’s largest Independence Day pyrotechnic display. This year, extending to two locations, the show will begin at approximately 9:20 PM and dazzle the shorelines of Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn with an unparalleled spectacle of color, light and sound set to commemorate the holiday with a very big bang!
America’s most explosive party will take place from two locations on the East River in midtown and within the South Street Seaport historic district. Brave, the theme of this year’s show, will fire more than 40,000 pyrotechnic shells during a 25-minute synchronized display. Designed in collaboration with PyroSpectaculars by Souza, the show will be fired from four barges positioned between 23rd and 37th Streets in Midtown and from one double-barge positioned below the Brooklyn Bridge.
“Last year, we brought Macy’s incredible fireworks back to the East River – and this year, with barges up and down the river, even more New Yorkers will be able to take part,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This celebration will light up the sky for millions in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. There’s no question: this will be a dynamite 4th of July for New Yorkers across the city.”
“Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks are the nation’s premiere Independence Day celebration and we are thrilled to once again bring the City of New York a front row view to this one-of-a-kind nationwide spectacle,” said Amy Kule, Executive Producer of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. “With two locations, firing 1,600 shells per minute, this year’s show will cover a large stretch of the City’s famed skyline with incredibly vibrant color and fantastic effects...”
and 2008 Macy's July 4 Fireworks Celebration from Southoint Park (before there was a FDR Memorial).
From 2009 - 2013 the Macy's July 4 Fireworks were held on the Hudson River with no viewing from Roosevelt Island. In 2014, partially fulfilling a promise he made as Public Advocate, Mayor deBlasio and Macy's moved the fireworks to the East River. However, due to the barge placements south of the Williamsburg Bridge, the fireworks were not viewable from the Roosevelt Island/Queens/Upper East side waterfront. By adding firework barges upriver north of the Williamsburg Bridge, we on Roosevelt Island should have an excellent view.
Except last year, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) was very concerned about crowd control issues at Southpoint Park and FDR Park in the event the fireworks were visible from the southern end of Roosevelt Island. It is not known as of now if Southpoint Park and FDR Park will be open to the public to view the 2015 July 4 Fireworks.
... consists of all the State's major housing and community renewal agencies, including The Affordable Housing Corporation, The Division of Housing and Community Renewal, Housing Finance Agency, State of New York Mortgage Agency, Housing Trust Fund Corporation and others...
... Jamie Rubin has been appointed as the Commissioner of Homes and Community Renewal. Currently, Mr. Rubin is the Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, which was created by Governor Cuomo in August 2013 to oversee New York State’s recovery from storms Sandy, Irene and Lee. The Office of Storm Recovery manages New York State’s $4.4 billion Community Development Block Grant allocation and co-manages the state’s $1.2 billion Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which awards federal funding for storm-related capital projects statewide. Previously, Jamie served as Senior Advisor to HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan and New York State Director of the President’s Hurricane Sandy Recovery and Rebuilding Task Force. He was also a Non Resident Senior Fellow with the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program, working with cities including Buffalo and Detroit to identify and implement innovative economic development strategies. Mr. Rubin spent 14 years as an investment banker and private equity investor. He is a 1993 graduate of Yale Law School and lives with his family in New York City....
As previously reported, the Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Building are surrounding by scaffolding to protect passerbys from falling debris as Local Law 11 facade work is done on the exterior of the buildings.
New York City's Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP), also called Local Law 11, requires that owners of buildings with more than six stories undergo an exterior inspection every five years....
... created and implemented the law in 1980 — then called Local Law 10 — in response to the 1979 death of Barnard College student Grace Gold when she was struck by masonry falling from a building façade in Manhattan. More recently, on August 1, 2013, Jennifer Rosoff fell to her death from her 17th-floor condominium at 400 East 57th Street after the 78-year-old aluminum railing on her balcony gave way. The railing was installed in 1931 without welded rivets, and the non-welded rivets popped out....
The facade work has meant that outdoor seating at Riverwalk restaurants
is not available or limited to certain times upsetting some residents.
The NY Times reported yesterday on a tragic incident Local Law 11 facade work is intended to prevent. According to the NY Times:
... On Sunday morning, Susan Frierson, 60, was outside the building with her granddaughter, Greta Greene, 2, when a piece of decorative terra-cotta windowsill broke free eight stories above. Both were struck, Greta most seriously. After hours on the operating table at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, doctors could not save her. She was pronounced dead on Monday.
New York has a strict facade-inspection law, but Greta’s death was a reminder of that law’s limits,...
During yesterday's (May 18) Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Operations Advisory Committee (full audio web cast of meeting), RIOC Director Margie Smith asked about the status of Riverwalk restaurants outdoor seating during the local law 11 facade work.. RIOC President Charlene Indelicato said that she was told by a Hudson Related Representative that for safety reasons outdoor seating would not be available at Riverwalk restaurants under the scaffolding
Image of Riverwalk Bar & Grill Seating Under Scaffolding From Several Weeks Ago
during the time facade work is being done but can be available after 4:30 on weekdays and on weekends.
Here's the discussion.
Recently, I have noticed that the seating is not available under the scaffolding.
A photo posted by Brooklyn Street Art (@bkstreetart) on
According to Brooklyn Street Art, Hot Tea says of the Roosevelt Island Manhattan Park Pool project:
... “This piece is inspired by my color field installations that take up both private and public spaces. I love introducing color to spaces that seem neglected or forgotten.”
Once the home of an asylum, the island is still a quasi secret getaway that just happens to lie in the plain view of Manhattan and Queens. Because of its location and its history, the artist says he has felt that the pool project has summoned both associations of a place to escape to and a place where mental states are out of balance....
Image Of RIYP Beacon Stocked Skateboarding Program At PS/IS 217 Schoolyard
The RIYP Beacon is thrilled to start a skateboarding program in collaboration with the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) along with NIKE and Stoked Action Sports & Youth Development. With STOKED, we are working to close the opportunity gap through action sports culture. “STOKED develops key skills in students (i.e. teamwork, collaboration, resiliency, goal setting, hard work) that help them grow as students, friends, family members, and citizens. In addition, it provides a safe and structured space for some of our most vulnerable students.” This program is meant to engage students to participate in an activity that interests them while evoking a sense of responsibility, self awareness, and team work.
Out of over 20 applications, Roosevelt Island Youth Program is one of the 7 programs selected to operate the Nike Honor Roll Skateboard Club program at our site.
DYCD"s Todd Francis, Speaking To RIYP/Beacon Skateboarding Program Students
The feedback from both students and parents in our first week of NIKE Honor Roll Skateboard Club Program was fantastic. “I love it” boasted Nisany McDonald, after successfully mastering his first trick.
Coach Shane Medanich,
Image Of Shane Medanich
a native New Yorker, ran 2 successful years of skateboarding syllabus in San Francisco, in after school Beacon programs. He is happy to be involved in a Beacon program back in his beloved New York City. NIKE, DYCD, and STOCKED supplied our students with state-of-the-art helmets and the best available skateboards.
The RIYP / Beacon purchased mobile ramps and we’ll be training the students to showcase their talents on them.
Here’s a video from our first week…
a true RIYP/Beacon success story!
Stoked's Shane Medanich describes the Roosevelt Island Skateboarding Program.
More information on Stoked working to improve the lives of kids through action sports is
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Operations Advisory Committee is meeting today. According to the meeting agenda:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Operations Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Monday, May 18, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
AGENDA:
Review of Current Projects
Review of Human Resources Department – Internal Procedures and Personnel
Review of Information Technology Department
Review of Films and Permits Department
Any Other Committee Business That May be Brought Before the Committee
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.
