Good News, Roosevelt Island F Train Service To And From Manhattan This Weekend But F Service Stops At Lex/63rd - RIOC President Reports On Roosevelt Island Transportation Problems

Good Mixed news, according to the MTA, there will be Roosevelt Island F Train service
 

 to and from Manhattan this weekend but:

No F service at 57 St, 47-50 Sts, 42 St-Bryant Pk, 23 St, 14 St, W 4 St, B'way-Lafayette St, 2 Av, Delancey St/Essex St, East Broadway, and York St.

F service operates between Jamaica-179 St and Lexington Av-63 St, then via the Q to/from Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr (skipping DeKalb Av, days and evenings), and via the D to/from Stillwell Av.

• Trains run express in Manhattan all weekend.

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal discussed last weekend's Roosevelt Island Transportation mess during yesterday's RIOC Board meeting.

@NYCferry boat arrived full and took no passengers. Feel trapped on @Rooseveltisland. No F train and tram under useless repairs ending 2018 pic.twitter.com/0vzTEW9BRG

— Bruce Knotts (@brucefk) September 4, 2017

Ms Rosenthal reported that the MTA told her there will be Roosevelt Island F Train service on weekends at least thru October 16. Ms Rosenthal added that the Roosevelt Island subway elevator will be out of service the weekend of the 23-24 and RIOC will provide a Red Bus Shuttle to Manhattan at that time.

Here's what Ms Rosenthal said:

Sponsored Post - Check Out Roosevelt Island Gristedes Bonus Card Diamond Rewards Items For September 8 - September 21- Weekly Sales & Specials Too

The Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket

Diamond Rewards customer loyalty program items for September 8 - September 21 are now available .

Examples of featured items purchased from September 8 - September 21 that earn you big points include

• Lavazza Coffee earn 100 points,
• Vita Tops 4 Pack Muffins earn 75 points,
• Polly-O Mozzarella  earn 60 points,
• Campbell's Chunky Soup earn 50 points and
• many more shown in flyer below.

According to Gristedes:

Start Earning Points Today

Join the Diamond Rewards loyalty program today! Get exclusive offers and earn points on hundreds of items! Get $5 Coupons for every 500 points earned, redeemable on next order.

Look for the Diamond Rewards label on the shelf or the product

If you have a Gristedes Bonus Savings Card and provided your email address, you are automatically enrolled in the Diamond Loyalty Program.

You can sign up for a Gristedes Bonus Savings Card online or in store - just make sure you give your email address and whether you are a new or existing Bonus Savings Club member, in order to be eligible for the Diamond Rewards Loyalty program.

Also, Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket invites you to check out their:

• Groceries, 
• Organic & Gourmet, 
• Snacks
• Meat, 
• Fresh Produce, 
• Seafood, 
• Frozen, 
• Deli &;
• Fresh Bakery

Department Offerings for September 15 - September 21

and shop at Gristedes for these September 15 - September 21 Specials.

Don't forget the 10% Roosevelt Island Seniors Discount on Tuesday and Wednesday and Sign Up for the Gristedes Diamond Loyalty Rewards Program.

More Gristedes Supermarket information available at their web site, Facebook Page and Twitter feed.

Great 360 Degree View To Explore New Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Campus

A campus without precedent. This is Cornell Tech. Experience it in 360°: https://t.co/KwJeV4xWxG pic.twitter.com/F4ub6ECcbU

— Cornell Tech (@cornell_tech) September 7, 2017

Click on link to get a great 360 degree view of the new Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech campus.

Sponsored Post - You're Invited to Roosevelt Island Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance Open House Saturday, September 9th - Come Learn About MST&DA Classes & Programs, New Offerings Include Capoeira For Kids, Belly Dancing For Adults & Much More

OPEN HOUSE AT MAIN STREET THEATRE & DANCE ALLIANCE IS THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH!

Join Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance this Saturday between 9:30am and noon for their annual Open House. Come try a class, learn about our programs, register, and meet instructors. The full schedule of demo classes can be found on our website. To reserve a spot in a demo class, email info@mstda.org today!

MST&DA is excited to announce some new programming this Fall! Capoeira for kids is offered on Saturday’s; Belly Dancing for adults is offered on Monday evenings; Slow Flow Yoga w/ Modela® Therapy Balls for adults on Monday evenings; Barre Workout for adults on Tuesday evenings; and, all of our regular, favorite programming in Dance, Theatre, and Fitness. Registration is open for the Fall semester through our website,

You’re invited to join us for these upcoming shows in the Howe Theatre!

“The Standards Sing: Steve & Eydie” Cabaret show celebrating the lives and music of legendary singing duo, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme is September 10th @ 2:30, September 16th @ 7:30, and September 17th @ 2:30. 

Tickets can be reserved on the website Tickets are $20 General Admission and $15 for RI Residents/Seniors/Students. Tickets are held at the Box Office and can be purchased up to one hour before showtime at Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance in the Cultural Center, 548 Main Street.

Lotus Music & Dance Showcase, a multi-cultural music and dance performance on September 24th @ 2pm.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. To purchase tickets online and more information. Tickets are $20 General Admission and $15 for Students/Seniors.

Location: Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance Howe Theatre is located in the RI Cultural Center at 548 Main Street. For directions.





Check out the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance web site for more information.

RIOC Board Meeting Today - Agenda Items Include Proposed Budget With $23.8 Million Payment From NY State For Cornell Tech Campus And New Roosevelt Island Affordable Rental Housing Units

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors will meet today, September 7 at the Cultural Center (548 Main Street). Among the items on the Agenda are:

• Southtown Riverwalk Building 8 & 9 development agreement (published story yesterday on affordable housing component of agreement) and
• Presentation of Proposed FY 2018-19 Budget,

Image From RIOC

According to the RIOC Proposed Budget Fiscal Year 2018-19 Page 1:

RIOC’s Proposed Budget FY 2018‐19 projects revenues of $51,563,000 a increase of $23,594,000 or 84.36 % over the Approved Budget FY 2017‐18 amount of $27,969,000. RIOC generates most of its revenues from long‐term ground leases to developers of housing projects on the Island. These leases specify the manner in which the ground lease revenues are derived, including amounts, timing, and escalation of ground lease payments, specifically residential fees, ground rents, and public safety fees. In addition, RIOC generates revenues from its Tramway transportation system, Motorgate parking garage, metered street parking, commercial leases, interest income, and other revenues. Other revenues mostly consist of permitting fees collected for activities that take place in the Sportspark sports facility, the Cultural Center, the Sports Fields, and third party construction on the Island.

Residential fees are projected to decrease by $534,000 or 26.47%. This is mainly due to two factors: (1) the rescheduling of the projected construction dates for Southtown Building 8 and 9 to January 2018 and May 2019; respectively, resulting in the deferral of Tax Equivalent Payments in the amount of $268,000 to the respective fiscal periods, and (2) the completion of the Island House Initial Sponsor Sales in FY 17‐18, resulting in the reduction of the projections for coop and condo sales transactions fees for FY 18‐19 in the amount of $221,000.

Ground rents are projected to increase by $23,851,000 or 196.73% due to the projected payment of the State’s contribution for Cornell. Furthermore, projections for Rivercross and Westview are based on current levels, however both projected ground rents are expected to increase.

Commercial rents are projected to increase because of escalations in the terms of the commercial leases.

Tramway revenues are projected to decrease by $233,000 or 4.08%, due to over‐projection of the revenues in the FY 17‐18 budget.

Public Safety revenues are projected to increase by $56,000 or 2.86% due to contractual escalations.

Transport/parking revenues are projected to increase by $510,000 or 19.28%, mainly due to the addition of 15 additional parking meters on the Island.

Interest revenues are projected to increase by $35,000 or 33.02% due to gradual increases in interest rates.

Other Revenues is projected to decrease by $98,000 or 5.48%. Most of the decrease is due to the provision of free usage of the Sports Fields to meet the recreation needs of the community residents...

and Pages 4-5:

... The Island is currently experiencing an economic boom in real estate with the projected construction of Southtown Building 8 and 9, the completion of phase 1 of the multi‐billion dollar Cornell campus site, and the evolution of the original residential complexes. These developments are the main drivers for the increased revenues and expenses mentioned above. RIOC is contractually and statutorily required to maintain infrastructure and provide adequate service to the Island to accommodate this growth. Accordingly, RIOC is in the midst of significant infrastructure and facilities repairs and improvements as outlined below.

Read more »

Record High $1.87 Million Sale Of Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Condo - RIOC & Hudson Related Proposal For More Than 300 Affordable Housing Rental Units Next Door In New Southtown Riverwalk Building Too

The Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Court condo at 415 Main Street

Image of Rivewalk Court

listed for sale this summer at $2 million was recently sold for $1.87 million - a record high  price for Roosevelt Island.

A $1.87M condo on Roosevelt Island just set the record for the most expensive apartment sold in the neighborhood. https://t.co/eKwxd6MaMV pic.twitter.com/XcxO9oUaGy

— The Real Deal (@trdny) September 5, 2017

According to Bloomberg:

A condo on New York’s Roosevelt Island listed at $2 million missed that mark, but still set a price record.

Image From Bloomberg via Corcoran

The 1,433-square-foot (133-square-meter), three-bedroom apartment -- with a view of the midtown Manhattan skyline -- sold for $1.87 million according to listing broker Ben Garama of Corcoran Group,...

Apartment rents and co-op/condo sales are skyrocketing on Roosevelt Island. According to Streeteasy, there are 10 Roosevelt Island apartments currently for sale. 7 of those apartments are listed for over $1 million ranging from $1.035 - $1.843 million. The remaining 3 are listed from $800,000 to $925,000.

Also, according to Streeteasy, there are currently 30 Roosevelt Island rental listings with monthly rents ranging from $4,995 to $2,300.

Roosevelt Island, a community built as a place for low and middle income people to live in NYC is more and more becoming a neighborhood no longer affordable to them, particularly with the recent privatizations of former Mitchell Lama Roosevelt Island buildings. The arrival of Cornell Tech campus has also put the once unknown or ignored Roosevelt Island on the map of many seeking to live in NYC and may have a role in increasing rents and condo/coop sale prices here.

But, there may be hope for a return of some affordable housing coming soon to Roosevelt Island.

Read more »

Alzheimers Foundation Caregivers 101 Course At Roosevelt Island Carter Burden Senior Center Friday September 8 - Check Out September Calendar For More Programs & Events, Lunch Too - UPDATE Alzheimers Course Postponed To November 2

Carter Burden Network Roosevelt Island Senior Center Program Outreach Director Samantha Romero reports:

Here are some updates for what is going on this week here at the Center.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH

Stretch & Tone with Kathy will be back from 10:30am-11:30am. Kathy is back to her regular schedule of Mondays & Wednesdays 10:30am-11:30am. Welcome back, Kathy!

Hunter Nursing Students will be back at RISC this morning at 10:00am! Welcome back, Hunter Students!

We will be opening up the sign-up for the Belmont Races Trip that will take place on Wednesday September 20th, 2018 from 10:00am until 5:00pm. Those who were unable to attend last year will have priority to sign-up. There will be a waiting list. Sign-up with Samantha during office hours Monday-Friday 10:00am-12:00pm only. No exceptions.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH

Join us & Tom McCarville for an E.A.R.S. 4 Eyes Presentation from 12:30pm until 1:30pm in the main room. Mr. McCarville will be discussing vision, low-vision rehabilitation, & providing audio lessons. This is a great opportunity to come out & learn more about your visual health, & to have some questions answered about your eyes & vision!

We will be holding a High Tea & Garden Party from 2:00pm until 4:00pm in the garden. Make sure to join us for some social time with friends, refreshments, & snacks!

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH

The Alzheimer’s Foundation will be holding a Caregiver 101 Course from 1:00pm until 2:00pm. This event is open to anyone residing in Roosevelt Island, not just seniors! If someone you know is dealing with Alzheimer’s, & you would like a little more information on how to help care for them, or perhaps are curious about Alzheimer’s & would like to learn about it, please join us!

Read more »

2017 Roosevelt Island Fall For Arts Festival September 23 - RIOC Seeking Artists To Paint Outdoor Murals Depicting Theme Of Relentless Motion: City In Motion

The annual Roosevelt Island Fall For Arts Festival is scheduled for Saturday September 23. According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp:

CALL FOR ARTISTS

On Saturday, September 23rd, 2017, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation will present the annual Fall for Arts Festival on Roosevelt Island. Through the years, this celebration of creativity and the changing seasons has become a much-loved tradition for children and adults alike. One of the event’s most well-loved traditions is a combination of performance and traditional arts through the outdoor artwork creation: the making of free-standing murals during the Festival.

We are seeking artists or groups to each paint one of several 6-by-8-foot and 6-by-16-foot murals outdoors during the Festival, which will be held from 11 AM – 4 PM on the lawn south of 531 Main St. Artists are free to arrange an earlier time to begin their work, if needed.

This year, our theme is “Relentless Rhythm: City in Motion”. We are looking for fine artists to create works of art that reflect the evolution and movement we see around us on a day-to-day basis.

How to Apply: We invite you to submit a sketch of your design or any inquiries along with a title and short description of the concept and technical method. Sketches should be sized according to a 6’ x 8’ or 6’ x 16’ ratio and submitted in jpeg, PDF or hard copy format. Please submit your sketches no later than Friday, September 8th to jessica.murray@rioc.ny.gov.

Participation in this event is free; basic paints, brushes, and a primed surface are provided! All participating artists will also receive a free festival t-shirt. Once complete, murals will stay on display on the lawn for several weeks. Once removed from the lawn, selected works will be displayed at the Island’s Motorgate Atrium Gallery through February 2019.

All artwork will remain the property of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation and may be displayed on Roosevelt Island to beautify the community in the future.

Feel free to contact Jessica Murray at (212) 832-4540 with any questions. We welcome your participation and creativity – good luck!

Here's an excellent video about the 2015 Roosevelt Island Fall For Arts Festival from Qifan Cheung



and more scenes from the 2015 Roosevelt Island Fall For Arts Festival.

Volunteer Opportunities For High School Students With Roosevelt Island Youth Program Afterschool & Soccer Programs - Gain Academic Credit And Work Experience

Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) Executive Director Charlie DeFino reports:

Students in Need of Volunteer Hours

Are you a high school student in need of volunteer hours to fulfill academic requirements or to gain work experience?

Come volunteer at the Roosevelt Island Youth Program! Limited volunteer spots are available in our Afterschool and Soccer Programs.

Contact riypsports@gmail.com for more information and placement consideration

Roosevelt Island Labor Day Weekend Transportation Mess, No F Train To Manhattan, Long Lines And Waiting Times For Tram And Ferry

The Roosevelt Island 2017 Labor Day Weekend transportation fiasco got worse today. Not only was there no Roosevelt Island F Train service to Manhattan and long lines

  at the Tram for the single cabin in operation due to the Platform repair project,

Very long lines at Roosevelt Island Tram Station. Big Mess. No @NYCTSubway F train to Manhattan, only 1 tram cabin working @RIOCny pic.twitter.com/3EsVDaqZM2

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) September 4, 2017

but there were also long lines and waiting time to get on the new Roosevelt Island Astoria Route Ferry service today.

@NYCferry boat arrived full and took no passengers. Feel trapped on @Rooseveltisland. No F train and tram under useless repairs ending 2018 pic.twitter.com/0vzTEW9BRG

— Bruce Knotts (@brucefk) September 4, 2017

2 hour wait to get on @NYCferry at Roosevelt Island this afternoon. 4 boats heading south picked up only a few riders each. Tempers rising pic.twitter.com/6UOe8ZYd0n

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) September 4, 2017

As I said, nice and reliable we still waiting, other boat has gone and we didn't make it. 15 people per load every 30 minutes pic.twitter.com/uPl97TS7Yq

— Roberto (@BorjaRoberto) September 4, 2017

Hopefully we get everyone onboard as quickly and safely as possible. We appreciate you reaching out to us. -K

— NYC Ferry (@NYCferry) September 4, 2017

One resident reported this morning:

Read more »

Spider-Man Returns To Roosevelt Island Today - Can He Save Roosevelt Island Tram Riders Again?

Spider-Man returned to Roosevelt Island this afternoon. He must have heard about the long lines at the Roosevelt Island Tram Station this weekend and wanted to make sure everybody was OK.

I met with the Super Hero in front of the Roosevelt Island F train station as Spider Man was looking back towards the Tram and Queensboro Bridge.

Satisfied that Tram riders were safe, Spider-Man prepared for his next Roosevelt Island adventure.

Taking the Tram or Ferry

back to Manhattan since there was no F Train service.

Here's Spider-Man's epic battle with the Green Goblin that saved Roosevelt Island Tram riders several years ago



and watch how the Roosevelt Island Tram station explosion scene was filmed.