RIRA Island Services Committee Reports On Roosevelt Island Tram Station Elevators, Sportspark, Southtown Commercial Trash, New Public Library & Enhanced Seniors Center Services

Below is Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Island Services Committee (ISC)

 Image From RIRA

report to the RIRA February  Common Council: 

RIRA – ISLAND SERVICES COMMITTEE (ISC)

REPORT TO COMMON COUNCIL MEETING – 2/3/16

Tram Elevators – The design of the new elevators is continuing. We have no estimate from RIOC on when the design will be finished or when an RFP will be issued. RIOC is still maintaining that the new elevators will be in operation by the autumn, 2016. ISC’s estimate is that the elevators will not be in operation until winter, 2017. We hope we are wrong.

Meanwhile, the old elevator experienced only some minor interruption of service in the last two months, improving on the performance in the prior months.

Sportspark – ISC met with the RIOC staff responsible for Sportspark to review our latest report (December, 2015) on the conditions of the facilities and programs. It was a good meeting with a free exchange of the various issues ISC cited. Many of the problems with the facilities will be corrected. However, a number of major problems will require projects to remove the problem. Most of the needed projects are in the 2016‐2017 RIOC capital budget. However, so far, only the Sportspark HVAC and pool projects have been authorized by the RIOC Board.

Commercial Trash in Southtown – We’ve achieved about 95% of what we tried to accomplish. A substantial improvement in how the trash is handled came in November when Related assigned a porter from 425 Main St. to clean and straighten out the trash yard on a daily (7 days) basis. We don’t believe we can or need to do much more. So, ISC has deactivated this issue.

New Public Library – The NY Public Library held a public meeting with residents on 1/14/16 to give a detailed update on the new library project. Most of the information was featured in the 1/23/16 WIRE. The new library is expected to open in late 2017 or early 2018.

Enhanced Services at Senior Center – ISC is compiling a comprehensive list of possible services and programs that could be made available to the Senior Center. After the list is completed, ISC will meet with Senior Center officers.

Respectfully Submitted,

Aaron Hamburger, ISC Chair

RIRA ISC members provides a brief review of what they characterize as a very good meeting with RIOC Staff about Sportspark conditions



during the February 3 RIRA Common Council.

Full coverage of the NYPL plans for new Roosevelt Island branch, including video of January 14 Public Meeting, available at this previous post.