Will Roosevelt Island Giant RI Monument Sign Be Approved At RIOC Board Real Estate Committee Meeting November 9? Should It?

Will a final version of the Giant RI Monument

Image Of RI Monument Mock Up

that was displayed in mock up form near the Tram and Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) Visitors Center Kiosk last September 26 be installed on a permanent basis somewhere on Roosevelt Island?

That decision may be made at the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Development Advisory Committee (REDAC) meeting tomorrow, November 9.  Among the items on the November 9 REDAC Agenda is:

Discussion of the RI Welcome Monument Placement

During the October 19 RIOC Board Meeting Public Session, RIHS President Judy Berdy spoke for some in the community who do not want to see the Giant RI monument installed, particularly if it placed near the Visitors Center Kiosk.

RIOC President Rosenthal replied that the Giant RI Monument was approved by the RIOC Board of Directors and that the only remaining issue was where it was to be placed.

RIOC Director Margie Smith said her recollection was that the Board only approved going forward with the Giant RI Monument mock up display and that a final installation must be approved by the RIOC Board.

Ms Rosenthal and RIOC General Counsel Jaci Flug agreed to review the video of previous meeting discussion to determine what was agreed to.

I followed up by asking RIOC:

During the October 19 RIOC Board meeting discussion, there was a disagreement about whether the Board approved the installation of Hudson Related big RI logo signage.

Several Board members said they only approved the placing of mock up RI sign - not the final approval to install it.

RIOC President and General Counsel said the Board approved the installation of the Big RI Sign but not it's final location.

Has RIOC looked back at the video to see what was actually approved? The video no longer on the public RIOC web site.

Has it been determined what was approved, the installation or just the placement of mock up?

Ms. Flug replied:

I have reviewed the video which is very brief. In it, Margie makes a statement about relying upon what is in the materials and I have pasted what was written in the materials:

The Kiosks and wayfinding signs will be completed in accordance with the annexed cost estimates. The design and placement location of the welcome monument will not be finalized without the approval of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board.

Ms Flug adds that the agreement between Hudson Related and RIOC states:

All Wayfinding Devices shall be installed in locations substantially as depicted on the renderings prepared by Calori & Vanden-Eyden dated April 11, 2017, attached hereto as Exhibit B. If during mockup or installation phase, Subtenant concludes that any of the proposed locations are structurally unsound or inadequate for installation, Subtenant shall propose alternative locations for RIOC's approval.

In all cases, the final locations of all Wayfinding Devices shall be subject to RIOC's final approval. The final design and location of the Welcome Monument shall be specifically approved by the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RI OC Board of Directors following the mockup phase.

Here is the discussion with Ms. Berdy and the RIOC Board during the October 19 Public Session of the RIOC Board of Directors meeting.



Here's more from previous post on the Roosevelt Island Giant RI monument including various opinions on whether or not it should be permanently displayed.

Below is the RIOC REDAC Agenda for meeting tomorrow:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC Administrative Office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.

Agenda:

1. Discussion of the RI Welcome Monument Placement

2. Review of the Crown Castle NG East LLC Proposal on Cell Service Infrastructure on Roosevelt Island

3. Review of Open Construction Projects

4. Any Other Committee Business That May be Brought Before the Committee

UPDATE 11/9, 9 PM - Following a presentation by Mr. Kramer and his staff in support of the Giant RI monument, RIOC's REDAC postponed any final decision in order to obtain views of the residents on the monument.

Will have more on issue including video of the discussion.