Saturday, October 27, 2018

Roosevelt Island Lighthouse Park Closed Until Further Notice Due To Today's Nor'Easter Flooding From East River Says RIOC

Today's Nor'easter storm forced the closing of Roosevelt Island's Lighthouse Park due to flooding.



Click on Full Screen Icon on bottom right for better view.

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Due to severe flooding Lighthouse park is closed until further notice.

Friday, October 26, 2018

Roosevelt Island Homeless Wheelchair Bound Woman Swindled Of More Than $1.5 Million By Trusted Roosevelt Island Deli Owner Charges Queens District Attorney

An owner of the Roosevelt Island Bread & Butter Deli was among 5 people arrested yesterday and charged in a scheme that swindled over $1.5 million from Michelle Carter, a wheelchair bound homeless woman who was frequently seen panhandling over the years on Roosevelt Island.

According to this October 24 press release from the Queens District Attorney's Office:
FIVE PEOPLE CHARGED IN SCHEME THAT SWINDLED OVER $1.5 MILLION FROM WHEELCHAIR-BOUND HOMELESS WOMAN

Stolen Money Was Last of Settlement Victim Received After Losing Legs in Subway Incident; Main Defendant Allegedly Used Scammed Cash For Wedding, Bachelor Party and Honeymoon

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, joined by Amtrak Police Chief Neil Trugman, today announced that a 27-year-old Queens Bodega owner, his father, a bank manager and two other men have been variously charged with crimes ranging from money laundering, grand larceny, conspiracy, criminal possession of stolen property and other charges for allegedly bilking a wheelchair-bound homeless woman out of more than $1.5 million between October 8, 2015 and October17, 2018.

District Attorney Brown said, “The homeless victim in this case lost her legs years ago when she was struck by a Subway train. She sued and received a $4 million settlement. Her windfall, unfortunately, became the target of alleged scammers. The victim trusted a bodega owner to cash her check, but temptation proved too overwhelming. The main defendant allegedly used the money for his wedding and honeymoon and distributed funds to his friends. This kind of underhanded con is unacceptable and the defendants will be held accountable for these alleged crimes.”

Amtrak Police Chief Trugman said, “The Amtrak Police Department is working with and helping our law enforcement partners and the District Attorney’s Office in concluding Ms. Carter’s case by sharing all information and evidence we come across during our investigation. Amtrak continues to maintain a strong security posture to keep our stations safe for passengers and employees.”

District Attorney Brown identified the defendants as Ammar Awawdeh, 27, his father 58-year-old Yaser Awawdeh, both of 77th Street in Brooklyn, Salah Omairat, 30, of Fulton Street, also in Brooklyn, his brother Mukhtar Omairat, 36, of Staten Island and Anas Ali, 32, of Staten Island. (See Addendum for charges and arraignment details).

District Attorney Brown said that, according to the criminal complaints, Ammar and Yaser Awawdeh are the owners of the 579 Island Market store on Main Street in Roosevelt Island. The victim, Michelle Carter, 62, entrusted Ammar Awawdeh to cash one of her last settlement checks totaling just over $799,000. But when Ammar Awawdeh cashed the check he allegedly deposited the funds into the business’s bank account, where his friend and co-defendant Ali worked as a bank manager at the time. Between October 6, 2015 and October 30, 2015, defendant Ammar Awawdeh withdrew $200,000 of the funds for his personal use and distributed additional funds to the apprehend other defendants as well as to unapprehended others.

According to the complaints, continued District Attorney Brown, defendant Ammar Awawdeh used the pilfered $200,000 to pay for gambling trips and wedding expenses including a bachelor party in Las Vegas and honeymooning in Turks and Caicos.

Furthermore, said the District Attorney, according to the charges, in January 2016, the victim realized that her last settlement check for more than $886,000 was missing. She had placed the check in her Bible, which she carried around in her wheelchair along with her belongings. Ms. Carter went to a branch of the Bank of America to request that the check be re-issued. That is when she was told the check had been cashed and the victim reported the theft to the nearest law enforcement agency, the Amtrak Police at Penn Station.

The District Attorney said, according to the charges, the investigation revealed that defendant Ammar Awawdeh came to be in possession of the second check, however, this time not with the permission of the victim. Ammar Awawdeh along with his co-defendants allegedly conspired to steal the proceeds of this check by depositing it into the business bank account of a Queens bodega that was managed by co-defendant Salah Omairat at that time.

Continuing, said the District Attorney, the investigation allegedly revealed the second check was
deposited at the bank branch being managed by co-defendant Ali, who signed off on the depsoit of this check without the payee being present to endorse it. The following day, the stolen money was available to be disbursed and defendant Salah Omairat distributed more than $200,000 to himself and another bodega located in the Bronx. More than $200,000 was also given to defendant Ammar Awawdeh and the deli owned by he and his father and another $150,000 disbursed to his brothers bodega in Brooklyn.

According to the complaints, continued the District Attorney, defendant Yaser Awawdeh withdrew more than $40,000 cash and used $10,000 of that as a down payment for a new car. He also had $50,000 worth of cashier’s checks issued to several other entities, including a wholesale jeweler, a car dealership and a loan server. Defendant Ali was given $20,000 out of the cashed checks after approving the deposits. Ali no longer works for Chase bank.

A forensic analysis of all the bank records allegedly showed that the victim received just over $100,000 from the two checks that together totaled $1.685 million.

The case was investigated by Sergeant George Gernon, of the Amtrak Police Department, under the supervision of Inspector Kenneth Metz, Deputy Chief Martin Conway of the New York Division of Amtrak and Neil Trugman, Amtrak’s Chief of Police. The case was also investigated by Sergeant Patrick Dolan, of the Queens District Attorney’s Office, under the supervision of Lieutenant John Kenna, Deputy Chief Robert Burke and under the overall supervision of Chief Franco Russo. Also assisting in the investigation, Supervising Forensic Accountant James Dever, of the Queens District Attorney’s Office and Assistant District Attorney Christine Burke, of the Queens District Attorney’s Elder Fraud Unit.

Assistant District Attorney Christine Burke, of the District Attorney’s Elder Fraud Unit of the Economic Crimes Bureau, is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Silvana T. Sutich, Accountant and James J. Dever, Supervising Accountant Investigator, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Kristen A. Kane, Chief of the Elder Fraud Unit, Gregory C. Pavlides, Bureau Chief, and Christina Hanophy, Deputy Bureau Chief, and the under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Peter A. Crusco and Deputy Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Wilbert J. LeMelle.

It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The press release incorrectly identifies the Roosevelt Island deli as being a Queens bodega. Click here for full press release.

The Roosevelt Island Daily has more on Ms. Carter.

Nor'Easter Storm Coming Tomorrow, Roosevelt Island Halloween Festivities Move Inside To Sportspark, Farmers Market Cancelled But NYC Compost Hosted By Big Reuse Food Scrap Drop Off Is Open

As previously reported the Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade and Saturday Farmers Market have been cancelled for tomorrow, Saturday October 27 due to the weather forecast for a Nor'easter storm.

But the Roosevelt Island Garden Club and iDig2Learn want you to know:

NYC Compost Hosted by Big Reuse Food Scrap Drop off is OPEN TOMORROW Saturday 10/27 under the scaffolding near Rivercross 531 Main Street. Come out quickly and drop your food scraps to become compost!

Also Coming Up!

Don’t Let Your Pumpkin Haunt the Landfill!

On Saturday, November 3rd, on the Lower Lawn of Manhattan Park, from 11a-2p everyone is invited to climb up high and hurl their rotting Halloween pumpkins to the ground to splatter them into mush. Don't let your pumpkin haunt the landfill! Bring your pumpkin and gently used costume to donate. Join us for free coffee and pie from Gristedes and Wengerd Farm at Roosevelt Island’s third annual free “Pumpkin Smash,” with partners RIOC, RIGC, GRIN, Girl Scouts, iDig2Learn and the NYC Compost Project hosted by Big Reuse. NYC Ferry will be giving away one free 30-day ferry pass and Jennifer Minehardt from NYPL will have story time too. Dropping off food scraps are the first step in turning decomposed material into compost, and it educates young and old about harnessing natural systems to protect the environment.

The Roosevelt Island Farmers Market will be back next Saturday, November 3.

The Roosevelt Island Halloween Festivities will take place tomorrow inside at Sportspark. A Red Bus Express from Good Shepherd will take you to Sportspark starting at noon.

30 Piece Orchestra Performs Beethoven & Tchaikovsy Free Roosevelt Island Classical Music Concert Saturday October 27 At Good Shepherd Plaza - You're Invited To Attend

According to R&R Concerts:


THE ORCHESTRA RETURNS TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND

Join us for a special concert on Saturday, October 27. Benjamin Hochman conducts a 30-piece orchestra performing Beethoven's 8th Symphony and Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings.

7:30 pm Saturday, October 27, at Good Shepherd Center

543 Main Street, Roosevelt Island

This special concert is made possible through the generosity of Martha Lou Henley, Judith Pisar, Suzanne Lubell

If you're considering supporting R&R Concerts, contribute now at certain levels to receive reserved seats for performances throughout the next year, including on October 27.

The 2018 Season is underwritten by Hudson/Related's Riverwalk Point and Pierre Courmont and Raymond M. Wapner and many more
UPDATE 10/27 - Here's a teaser for tonight's concert.

Roosevelt Island Weekend Transportation - No Roosevelt Island F Train Service To Manhattan This Weekend, Both Tram Cabins At Full Capacity And NYC Ferry New Fall RI Service Schedule


There is no Roosevelt Island F Train service to Manhattan this weekend. According to the MTA:
SIGNAL MODERNIZATION 11:45 PM Fri, Oct 26 to 5 AM Mon, Oct 29 Coney Island-bound F trains run via the E from Roosevelt Av in Queens to 5 Av/53 St in Manhattan

Trains resume regular service at 47-50 Sts.

No Coney Island-bound F service at 21 St-Queensbridge, Roosevelt Island and Lexington Av/63 St.

Travel Alternatives:
For service to 21 St-Queensbridge and Roosevelt Island, take the F to 47-50 Sts and transfer to a Jamaica-bound F.

For service from these stations, take the F to Roosevelt Av and transfer to a Coney Island-bound F....
 Also:
... STATION ENHANCEMENTS | Until December 2018 57 St F Station is closed...
Both Tram Cabins operating at full capacity.

There is Roosevelt Island ferry service on the Astoria Route. Here's the new Fall Schedule for Roosevelt Island ferry service.

Sponsored Post - Check Out Roosevelt Island Gristedes November 2 To November 8 Product Offerings, Specials & Sales Items - Grab And Go Prepared Items Too

The Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket


invites you to check out their November 2 - November 8 Product Offerings, Specials & Sales items.

And Grab & Go Prepared Items too.


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

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

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Sign Up For Roosevelt Island Sportspark Adult Swimming Program, Learn To Swim And Master Classes - Some Swimmers Say Pool Temperature Is A Bit Too Cold

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Information Office Alonza Robertson reports on Winter Adult Swimming programs at the Sportspark Pool.


According to Mr Robertson:
Registration will open for our Winter ADULT Aquatic Program tomorrow, Friday, October 26 beginning at 7 a.m. Registration will close Friday, November 2 at 5 p.m.

Registration is available online only. For full descriptions of our classes, please visit our website. Please follow the link below to register:

www.Tinyurl.com/Rec1-Rioc

1) Click on the link above

2) Choose the tab titled, Fitness Classes

3) Choose Adult Aquatics Fitness Classes and then the program you wish

Program: Adult Learn to Swim

Description: This program is designed to introduce you to the water while integrating basic techniques that will assist with learning. Classes are broken down into different components such as breathing, gliding, floating and kicking. If these skills are mastered, focus will be put on further progress to teaching strokes.

Duration: Seven-week program, two classes per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Cost: $130 (13 classes)

Dates: Every Tuesday and Thursday from November 6 – December 20 (excluding Thursday, November 22)

Time: 7:45 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.

Location: Sportspark Pool

Program: Master Swim

Description: Master Swim workouts are designed for swimmers, triathletes, or fitness enthusiasts who love swimming and are able to swim at least two strokes. You will be guided by instructors who will help you enhance your swimming technique through positive critique and observations and correcting body positions. The instructors will be coaching from the deck.

Duration: Seven-week program, three classes per week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays)

Cost: $210 (21 classes)

Dates: Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday from November 5 – December 21

Time: 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Location: Sportspark Pool
Register here. (Click on the Fitness Tab)

More info on a variety of Sportspark Pool Programs here.

Several Sportspark Pool users have recently told me that the pool temperature is a bit colder than the preferred 83-84 degrees. They hope RIOC warms the pool up a bit.

Approaching Nor'Easter Storm Forces Roosevelt Island Farmers Market At Good Shepherd Plaza To Be Cancelled This Saturday October 27 - Will Return Next Saturday November 3

Due to the Nor'easter storm approaching NYC, the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market is cancelled this Saturday, October 27


but will return to it's Good Shepherd Plaza location the following Saturday, November 3.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Roosevelt Island 2018 Main Street Halloween Parade Cancelled Due To Weather Forecast Of Nor'Easter Storm For Saturday October 27 - Costumed Festivities & Extravaganza Moved Inside To Sportrspark 12-3 PM

This is very disappointing.

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Due to Saturday weather forecasts of a Nor’easter – winds gusts up to 40 mph, 1-2 inches of rain and temperatures dipping into the 40s – the annual Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade down Main Street has been cancelled, but the post-parade Extravaganza will be moved inside to Sportspark.

Residents and guests are still invited to dress up in costumes and enjoy the free giveaways, amusements, games, costume contests, and live DJ music at the 250 Main Street recreation facility. All attendees must enter through the westside (Manhattan-view side) entrance.

The Extravaganza will be held from 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. 

Here's the 2017 Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade.



More pictures here
.

UPDATE 10/25 - RIOC adds:
Don't let a little rain SCARE you away this Saturday. To help accommodate our guests; and help everyone get there faster (and drier), RIOC will be offering a Red Bus express service from the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, 543 Main Street, directly to Sportspark, 250 Main Street, starting at noon.

Due to the forecast of severe weather, the annual Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade has been cancelled but the free, after-parade Extravaganza has moved inside to Sportspark.

Armed Robbery At Roosevelt Island's Roosevelt Landings Building Early This Morning - No Arrests Made Yet, Incident Currently Under Investigation By NYPD 114 Precinct Detectives

Received a tip today about an armed robbery earlier this morning at Roosevelt Landings.


I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department Chief Jack McManus and Public Information Officer Alonza Robertson:
I understand there was an armed robbery at Roosevelt Landings early this morning.

Is that true?

What type of weapon used? Gun, knife?

Was anybody injured.

Which Roosevelt Landing building. In an apartment or corridor?

Any more details?
Mr. Robertson replied:
Detectives from the NYPD 114th Precinct and officers from the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department are investigating an armed robbery that happened early Wednesday morning at the Urban America residential building at 540 Main Street.

Four unidentified males used a gun to rob a 32-year-old man of his wallet and money in the 4th floor hallway of the building at approximately 2 a.m. Wednesday. The victim was not injured, PSD officials said.

Detectives are working with PSD to investigate this incident and are seeking surveillance video that may have captured the incident or of the suspects fleeing the scene.

If you have any information about this incident, you are urged to call PSD at 212.832.4545.
A NYPD spokesperson added:
At approximately 12:10 AM this morning, 4 individuals approached the victim inside 540 Main Street asking for a cigarette, assaulted the victim and chased him. One individual displayed a firearm.

The victim was not hospitalized.
No arrests have been made yet. The NYPD 114 precinct is currently investigating the incident.

Very Dangerous Conditon - Roosevelt Island Waterfront Promenade Between Octagon Building And Lighthouse Park In Almost Complete Darkness Last Evening Reports Resident

Roosevelt Island resident Scott Pirro reports:



Mr. Pirro is a Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council member for the Octagon Building.

Wildlife On Roosevelt Island - Raccoon Family Spotted At Ferry Terminal, On Way To Cornell Tech

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports:

In August of 2017, this baby raccoon was spotted in a tree


at the Roosevelt Island Community Garden.

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Wow - Gorgeous NYC East River Rainbow Appears Briefly This Afternoon Seen From Roosevelt Island - Without Any Rain


Cafe @ Cornell Tech Receives C Grade From NYC Department Of Health Restaurant Inspection, Management Apologies To Roosevelt Island Community And Promises Improvements - Students Ready To Cross Invisible Tram/Subway Barrier And Try Out Nisi Restaurant

Last Sunday, I visited the Roosevelt Island  Cafe @ Cornell Tech to order my favorite Mango Smoothie. I was very surprised and disappointed to find this NYC Department of Health (DOH) Restaurant Inspection Grade C sign posted next to the Coffee/Juice Bar.


According to an October 5, 2018 NYC DOH Restaurant Inspection Report for the Cafe @ Cornell Tech:

Violation points: 37

Sanitary Violations

1) Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies.

2) Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

3) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
Yesterday, I asked Cornell Tech representatives to comment on the failed restaurant health inspection report and received this reply from the Cafe @ Cornell Tech Management, Constellation Culinary Group:
October 22, 2018

Dear Roosevelt Island Community:

Our company, Constellation Culinary Group (formerly Starr Catering Group), has been operating The Café @ Cornell Tech since 2017. We have had restaurants, cafés and catering businesses in New York City since 2011 and today we operate 18 locations throughout the city.

On Friday, October 5, The Café was inspected by the New York City Health Department and regrettably received a ‘C.’ The only grade that is acceptable to us is an ‘A.’ We have failed to meet that expectation and are profoundly sorry for not fulfilling our commitment to all of you, our valued guests.

Food safety is our top priority and we have committed significant resources to immediately address this situation. We have already implemented the following corrective measures and are looking to schedule a follow-up inspection in the very near future.

With full transparency, the grade was the result of the following key issues:
  • The presence of fruit and food flies in the kitchen and dry storage room.
  • Standing water on the kitchen floor beneath the dishwasher and sink.
  • Food particle build up on the floors of the dry goods storage room.
  • Required maintenance of ice machines not carried out per specification.
We want to assure you that our daily food handling practices, including the use of gloves for ready-to-eat foods and food held and served at the correct temperatures, were not an issue.

We took immediate action following the inspection, including completing the following corrective measures:
  • We have replaced our General Manager effective immediately with a new General Manager, Christopher Lewis, who brings more than 15 years of foodservice operational leadership experience to the team.
  • We have re-assigned supervision to Vice President of Operations, Rob Esplen, who has been onsite, working with the management team over the past two weeks.
  • We have selected a new pest management provider who has already carried out its services with excellent results. Based on industry best practices, the exterminator is providing eco-friendly, FDA-approved treatments every three days until the problem is completely eradicated.
  • We made necessary plumbing repairs to correct the standing water issue.
  • We completed necessary maintenance to the ice machines.
  • We hired a third-party sanitation and food safety consulting firm to remain on
  • site this past week to conduct refresher cleaning and sanitation training with the team and implement best practices across the operation. This firm will conduct follow-up visits on a monthly basis moving forward to monitor progress.
  • We have installed door sweeps on all kitchen doors
If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Scott Steenrod, Managing Director, at scott.steenrod@constellationculinary.com.

Sincerely,

Simon Powles, CEO
Scott Steenrod Managing Director
The Cafe has become a favorite spot for many Roosevelt Island residents and visitors,


and you can't beat the views from the outdoor patio, even in cold weather.


But, I have heard grumblings from Cornell Tech students who have not been happy with the food offering at the Cafe. These students are ready to cross the invisible Roosevelt Island Tram/Subway barrier to Main Street and try out the Nisi Restaurant and any new restaurant that may open in the future.

Below is the most recent NYC DOH Health Inspection Restaurant Grades for Roosevelt Island.


All received A's except for the Cafe @ Cornell Tech C Grade.

Here's how NYC DOH scores and grades restaurants.

Figment NYC Hosting Roosevelt Island Community Meeting Tonight, October 23, To Discuss Lighthouse Park Public Art Project & Festival - You're Invited To Learn How To Particiapate As Artist, Creator & Team Member

As previously reported:

Roosevelt Island's Lighthouse Park


will be hosting Figment NYC's City Of Dreams Pavilion on June 1-2, 2019....
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
FIGMENT, one of the country's largest participatory art events, is hosting a community meeting with RI residents tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd to discuss its coming June event on the Island.

Here's more info on Figment NYC Roosevelt Island lighthouse Park project.

Monday, October 22, 2018

Today In Roosevelt Island History, 1932 Welfare Island Prison Riot - 86 Years Later, Home To Cornell Tech

According to the Brooklyn Eagle:
ON THIS DAY IN 1932, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “Police headquarters and the office of Mayor [Joseph] McKee were informed just before noon today that a riot of dangerous proportions had broken out on Welfare Island [now Roosevelt Island], on which the City Prison is located. The mayor was informed that one man had been killed in the rioting....
Click here for the full article and to learn more.

Here's a 1933 image of the Welfare Island Penitentiary


from NYPL Digital Collection.

The Bowery Boys have more on the Welfare (Blackwell's) Island Prison:
... A prison was one of the first things built on then-Blackwell’s Island in 1832. A north wing was added to the prison to accommodate inmates transported from a facility next door to Bellevue Hospital. (The mental patients of Bellevue would make a similar journey to Blackwell’s asylum at around the same time.) The five-story L-shaped building had a granite, medieval-looking facade and 800 cells, much of it filled to capacity through most of its existence.

The prison fomented little idleness. Male inmates from there and the adjoining 220-cell workhouse (essentially a correctional facility for “drunks and disorderlies”) were used either in the quarry or to build many of the island’s structures, including a seawall around the perimeter...
and:
... By the 20th century, gangs of prisoners virtually ran the place. It would become the inspiration for dozens of pulp novels and films, including one actually called Blackwell’s Island.

After a few sorry reforms — including the name change to Welfare Island — produced few results, it was up to can-do mayor Fiorello Laguardia and his hire for corrections commissioner Austin H. MacCormick to raid the prison and transport its remaining inmates to the newly built Rikers Island. The Welfare Island prison was quickly torn down and replaced by Goldwater Hospital, today the Coler-Goldwater Memorial,...
The former site of the Welfare Island Prison is now home to the Cornell Tech campus.

SPONSORED POST - Roosevelt Island Urgent Care Medical Facility, Just Walk In At 520 Main Street 7 Days A Week For Your Medical Needs - Your Health, Your Schedule

According to Roosevelt Island Urgent Care (RIUC):

Our Roosevelt Island facility is  located at 520 Main Street. Our Office hours are Monday to Thursday 9AM - 5PM, Friday 9 AM - 4 PM, Saturday and Sunday 10AM- 3 PM. Phone # 646-977-7974.

The medical needs of this 2 mile long historic island on the East River is a perfect landscape for our services.

RIUC is the first health care facility on the Island. Currently local residents must travel to either Manhattan or Astoria, for treatment—a trip that requires the use of a tram, subway, bus or car. Our facility in essence created a full-service medical center for a growing population of 15,000. RIUC is here to serve your needs.

These needs will increase in the near future with the addition of new multi-family developments and the new Cornell NYC Tech campus, which is under construction and due to open this year. The University is relying on our center to tend to the medical needs of the students and faculty. Roosevelt Island Urgent Care is also well positioned to provide services to the many construction workers who are on the Island during the next few years.

Other amenities include:
  • Hot and cold complimentary beverage center
  • Charging station
  • Flat screen TV in waiting room as well as every exam room
  • Childrens play area
  • And much more!
Take a tour of the Roosevelt Island Urgent Care facilities



and learn about the services offered at Roosevelt Island Urgent Care.


More info about Roosevelt Island Urgent Care at their web site and Twitter Page.

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Roosevelt Island 2018 Public Purpose Grants Community Review Process October 21 & 25 - Up To $150 Thousand Available To 10 Local Non Profit Groups, Public Invited To Attend

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Purpose Grants community review process begins tomorrow, October 21. According to RIOC:

Roosevelt Island Non-Profits Present Applications for Up to $150,000 in Public Grants Next Week

Each year, the RIOC Board of Directors approves the allocation of Public Purpose Funds to non-profit community organizations whose work benefits Roosevelt Island residents, enhances their quality of life, health or environment.

The annual fund awards – up to $150,000 total in 2018 - are recommended by the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) and are expected to be approved by the Board at its December 13 meeting.

The non-profits organizations will be making their presentations to the RIRA Public Purpose Funds Committee this Monday, October 22 at 7 p.m. and Thursday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Community Center, 543 Main Street. These presentations are open to the public.

For the presentation schedule and the list of the organizations that have applied, click here.
The Presentation Schedule is as follows.
October 22, 2018

7:00 PM - PS/IS 217M Parent-Teacher Association

7:30 PM - Life Frames

8:00 PM - Open Space Institute (IDig2Learn)

8:30 PM - Island Kids

9:00 PM - Roosevelt Island Disabled Association

Presentations will conclude at 9:30 PM

October 25, 2018

Presentations will begin at 7:30 PM

7:30 PM - Carter Burden Network

8:00 PM - Roosevelt Island Historical Society

8:30 PM - Main Street Theatre and Dance Alliance

9:00 PM - Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association

9:30 PM - Wildlife Freedom Foundation
RIOC adds:
Public Purpose Grants first became available after the construction of Manhattan Park in 1989, when New York State allowed the fund to be established in lieu of the developers paying sales tax on construction materials. The RIOC Board of Directors approves the allocation of these funds yearly based upon the recommendation of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA). Not-for-profit community organizations are welcome to apply for a Public Purpose Grant by following the application process below.

Public Purpose Grants should be allocated to benefit Roosevelt Island residents, enhancing their quality of life through education, artistic and cultural enrichment, improved health, or a better environment.

Additional Information about can be found in the Public Purpose Grant Procedures
The 2017 Roosevelt Island Public Purpose Grants were as follows (rationales for award amount at link):
  • PS/IS 217 Parent Teachers Association (PTA) - Amount Requested: $22,500 Amount Recommended: $15,000,
  • Life Frames, Inc. - Amount Requested: $19,900 Amount Recommended: $4,000,
  • Wildlife Freedom Foundation (WFF) - Amount Requested: $5,000 Amount Recommended: $5,000,
  • Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association (RIVAA) - Amount Requested: $42,000 Amount Recommended: $11,800, 
  • Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS), Amount Requested: $32,000 Amount Recommended: $12,000,
  • Island Kids - Amount Requested: $20,000 Amount Recommended: $15,000,
  • Main Street Theater and Dance Alliance - Amount Requested: $35,000 Amount Recommended: $18,000,
  • Roosevelt Island Swimming (Marlins) - Amount Requested: $11,637.50 Amount Recommended: $1200,
  • Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) - Amount Requested: $18,000 Amount Recommended: $18,000.