Is Roosevelt Island Coler Hospital Closing And Being Put Up For Sale By NYC? RIRA President Says Coler Hospital On List Of City Properties For Sale

The NYC Health & Hospital Corp Coler Hospital sits on prime East River waterfront land on the north end of Roosevelt Island.



Recently, there have been plenty of rumors about Coler Hospital closing and being put up for sale by New York City.Will Coler Hospital be closed and demolished for a new development - as was it's sister property, Coler Goldwater Hospital, for the Cornell Tech campus?

During the November 1, 2018 Meet the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Candidates Forum, a question was asked to candidate, now RIRA President Lynn Strong-Shinozaki, about the closing and sale of Coler Hospital. The resident asked:

I've heard that Coler Hospital might be for sale or might be closing at some point. Do we know what plan for that whole area is?

Ms Shinozaki responded:

The answer to that is no, but what I do know is that you are correct that the City list of properties that can be bought, Coler Hospital is on that list...

The issue with Coler Hospital that makes it unique and different from some of the other spaces on the Island is that is not part of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. It is a City owned space. So there is limited things that RIOC has control over in that space....

... My concerns are that the Coler Hospital has decommissioned itself in certain levels and that it has not built certain parts of the Hospital. There are about 700 patients there but the capacity is much greater. ...

We're going be asking questions up front and out in the open. ... We want to make sure we are not steamrolled into having something happen.

Here's video of the exchange about possible closing of Roosevelt Island's Coler Hospital.



The NY Daily News tweets today:

EXCLUSIVE: The last public hospital on NYC's Roosevelt Island could be closing soon https://t.co/RflBKqpBBl

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) November 23, 2018

and reports:

... Possibly on the chopping block is Coler Hospital, located on Roosevelt Island's northern end, which would mean that 594 patients now staying at the 24-hour-a-day, 815-bed facility would have to be transferred elsewhere....

Click here for full NY Daily News article.

The Coler Hospital building in on NYC property but my understanding is that the land 5 feet from the perimeter of the building including the parking lot area is RIOC controlled land.



RIOC should have considerable say as to the future of the property.

The subject of Coler's possible closing and sale was discussed at the October Coler Hospital Community Advisory Board Meeting.

Stay tuned for more.

UPDATE 5:40 PM - According to Roosevelt Island's NY City Council Member Ben Kallos:

I've long suspected H+H has been mismanaging Coler and other healthcare facilities into the ground as part of a self fulfilling prophecy of failure.

Only the City of New York could lose money on hospital rooms that average $10,700 a night, more than twice the price of the Extreme WOW Suite on the 57th floor of W Times Square.

With expansions by every other hospital in the medical corridor of my district, it's strange to see H+H seeking to close another facility. To make matters worse, H+H turned away formerly homeless residents in need of supportive housing that would have helped fill beds in a vacant wing. These formerly homeless New Yorkers were welcomed by local elected officials and Roosevelt Island residents who wanted to do our part to help the homeless, only to see H+H refuse to help.

H+H provides a safety net for our city's most vulnerable patients providing the highest quality of health care at a low cost, making them competitive with private hospitals and the burgeoning medical tourism industry. To think New Yorkers are not treating life threatening medical conditions or traveling oversees to afford it, when H+H should be competing for patients and making money.

The best use of this city owned land is to save lives and provide medical services for those who otherwise couldn't afford them. The last thing Roosevelt Island need is more luxury housing in place of Coler.

RIOC President Susan Rosenthal adds:

RIOC does not have any information regarding a possible sale of Coler.

UPDATE 11/25 - Council Member Kallos says:

If a list exists of city properties that are currently in use but are somehow on the auction block than it literally means our city is for sale to the highest bidder and that's not how government should work!

Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy adds:

Coler opened in 1952 serving all who needed rehabilitation and/or long term medical care. It has remained a facility part of the NYC Health + Hospitals. Coler is one of 4 long term facilities in the city network. Coler has provided a home for hundreds of New Yorkers who have medical needs for long tern care. An important aspect of Coler is the wonderful care that dementia and Alzheimer's patients receive in specialized units. Coler has a devoted staff , many who have worked there for decades. The Therapeutic Recreation Department and many others provide services to residents from arts program, poetry, music and many more.

Coler has never had the recognition that Goldwater did, until it was closed in 2013. Coler is now licensed as a long term care facility, not a hospital.

The administration of Coler readily admits that the facility is out dated with 4 bedded rooms with no private facilities. Coler suffered severe damage in Hurricane Sandy and the City spend $93,000,000 rebuilding the entire infrastructure. The hospital is in the zone for mandatory evacuation in case of another 100 year storm. In he meantime all medical systems have been rebuilt and are above the first floor, protecting the building from further damage.

As a member of the Coler Community Advisory Board for many years, we have heard the rumors many times. It may be that the lure of the real estate market is tempting the city. No officials of H+H will publicly discuss the future of Coler. When the State of New York leased the island in `1969, the two hospital campuses were not leased, remaining City property.

Let us hope that the residents stay where they are comfortable and at home on our island.

Annual Roosevelt Island Christmas Tree Emporium At Motorgate Plaza Every Weekend Starting Tomorrow Thru December 23 Sponsored By PS/IS 217 PTA

Starting tomorrow, Roosevelt Island Christmas Trees are available for purchase at the Motorgate Rotunda next to Gristedes and the following 4 weekends thru December 23.

Image From PS/IS 217 PTA

Roosevelt Island Farmers Market Returning To Motorgate Plaza Under Helix Ramp Starting November 24 For Winter - Will Return To Good Shepherd Plaza In Spring

A reminder. As previously reported, the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market and NYC Compost Project Hosted by Big Reuse Food Scrap Drop Off Site are temporarily moving back to Motorgate Plaza under the helix ramp for the winter starting tomorrow, November 24.

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

The Roosevelt Island Farmers Market and NYC Compost is re-locating this winter to under the Helix Ramp beginning this Saturday through March 9, 2019.

The enclosed space under the Helix can be heated and is expected to keep both vendors and customers comfortable while selling and buying goods. Come and continue to enjoy the fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats, baked goods and other specialty products; as well as adding to the 80,000 pound total food scraps already diverted by our community and transformed into compost.

The Farmers Market and Food Scrap Drop Off Site will move back to Good Shepherd Plaza

in the Spring starting March 9, 2019.

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

No Roosevelt Island F Train service to Manhattan this weekend.

 Image From The MTA

According to the MTA:

STATION ENHANCEMENTS 11:45 PM Fri, Nov 23 to 5 AM Mon, Nov 26 Brooklyn-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 Brooklyn-bound F service at 21 St-Queensbridge, Roosevelt Island and Lexington Av/63 St.

Travel Alternatives:

For service to these stations, take the F to 47-50 Sts and transfer to a Jamaica-bound F.

For service from 21 St-Queensbridge and Roosevelt Island, take the F to Roosevelt Av and transfer to a Brooklyn-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 Winter Schedule for Roosevelt Island ferry service.

Sponsored Post - Check Out Roosevelt Island Gristedes November 30 To December 6 Product Offerings, Specials & Sales Items - Hanukkah Products & Christmas Dinner Too

The Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket

invites you to check out their November 30 - December 6 Product Offerings, Specials & Sales items.

And Grab & Go Prepared Items too.

Also, shop early for your Hanukkah products.

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

Happy Thanksgiving From Roosevelt Island - Tradition, Family, Food, Football, History And Alice's Restaurant

Happy Thanksgiving Day wishes to everyone out there in Roosevelt Island land and elsewhere. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Since Thanksgiving is a day all about about Tradition, here is my traditional Thanksgiving Day post started in 2007.

In addition to family, great food, the Macy's Parade, Miracle on 34th Street, March of the Wooden Soldiers and football, listening to Arlo Guthrie's rendition of Alice's Restaurant on WNEW-FM was, for me, a wonderful Thanksgiving tradition.

A former station DJ remembers Thanksgiving and Arlo Guthrie this way on the blog All Mixed Up Radio.

Every year a couple of days before Thanksgiving, it starts. It's slow at first, and then turns into a non-stop avalanche of phone calls. And no matter how many times a station runs promo announcements telling people exactly when it will be played, the calls still come.

"What time are you playing 'Alice's Restaurant?'"...

Yes, in the olden days people used to listen to music on the radio. Imagine that!

Here's a snippet of Alice's Restaurant with Arlo Guthrie and Johnny Cash



and the full song with scenes from the movie.

Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy shares a Thanksgiving  story from Roosevelt Island's past when it was known as Welfare Island and housed a penitentiary. Also, former blogger Roosevelt Island 360 tells us about the first Roosevelt Island Thanksgiving in 1975.

 Image From Roosevelt Island 360

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal adds on behalf of RIOC staff;

Thanksgiving is more than an opportunity for a great turkey dinner. It's a time to get together with family and friends and share all the reasons we have to be grateful. And, we all have so many blessings to be grateful for.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your loved ones.

Happy Thanksgiving Roosevelt Islanders!!!!!!!!

Thankful @pix11 continues to run #MarchofTheWoodenSoldiers year after year on Thanksgiving just like when I was a kid.😁#LaurelandHardy #HappyThanksgiving pic.twitter.com/YcF0yhhOtP

— NamelyNorm (@NamelyNorm) November 22, 2018

Roosevelt Island Cafe @Cornell Tech Earns Grade A From NYC Health Department, Cafe Closed For Thanksgiving Weekend, New Winter Hours And Meet The New GM

Reported October 23 the surprising news that the Roosevelt Island Cafe @ Cornell Tech

received a NYC Health Department Restaurant Inspection C Grade.

Fortunately, the C Grade did not last long.

 On November 1, new Cafe @Cornell Tech General Manager Chris Lewis reported achieving an A Grade from the NYC Health Department. According to Mr. Lewis:

The NYC Department of Health inspected The Café yesterday and I am very pleased to announce that it earned an “A” grade.

We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while our team implemented corrective actions to receive this grade. .... The framed “C” was removed by the inspector yesterday and the “A” is slated to be posted this Monday upon its arrival. The only grade acceptable to Constellation and the Cornell Tech community is an “A,” and I ensure you that we will continuously maintain best practices for food service moving forward.

As the new General Manager for Constellation Culinary @ Cornell Tech I look forward to providing the best food service and to working with all of you. Please feel free to contact me or stop by The Café to discuss all things food.

That's good news. The Cafe has become a favorite spot for many Roosevelt Island residents and visitors since it opened last year.

The Cafe @Cornell Tech will be closed Thanksgiving Day, November 22 thru Sunday November 25 and reopen for regular schedule Monday November 26.

The Cafe will be closed for Winter Break from December  22 - January 2 2019.

Below is upcoming schedule of operation for the Cafe @Cornell Tech

Tech Cafe Holiday Schedule

During the October 25 meeting of Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Community Construction Task Force, Cornell Tech Director of Facilities Operations Dan Cooke spoke about garbage pick up, recycling, sustainability and the Cafe operations.



Also, the new GM of Cafe @Cornell Tech Chris Lewis talked about upcoming plans for the Cafe.



More info about the Cafe @ Cornell Tech, operated by the Constellation Culinary Group, available at their web site including daily menus.

Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park Announces Winning Entrants Of Sketch 4 Freedom Contest - Serene Space, Kahn's Agora And Unnamed Are Top 3 Sketches

Roosevelt Island's Four Freedoms Park reports on the winning entrants of their Sketching Contest. According to Four Freedoms Park Conservancy:

Four Freedoms Park Conservancy is thrilled to announce the winners of our second annual sketching contest, Sketch 4 Freedom, which invited artists of all skills to visit FDR Four Freedoms State Park and create artwork inspired by the of theme celebrating public space. Participants were encouraged to explore the meaning of public space and the various ways people use public space to enrich their lives.

and Tweets:

We are thrilled to announce the winner of our annual #Sketch 4 Freedom Contest: Richard Clements and his "Serene Space." Richard wins a variety of prizes including a gift certificate to @getsketchbox. pic.twitter.com/LZiAUk0jta

— Four Freedoms Park (@4FreedomsPark) November 20, 2018

in second Hugo Barros Costa (@yolahugo) and in third place and in third Robert Miller! Congratulations to all of these talented artists and their depictions of the way public space enhances and enriches our lives. pic.twitter.com/V8mlYQzZUp

— Four Freedoms Park (@4FreedomsPark) November 20, 2018

More info here.

October 1 - March 31, Four Freedoms Park is open daily, 9am to 5pm; closed Tuesdays. The Park is closed on December 25.

Hey Susan - RIOC President Susan Rosenthal Answers Questions From Roosevelt Island Residents On Affordable Housing, Red Bus Schedule, Octagon Tennis Court Rules, Library Playground, Visitors Center, Negative Curmudgeon Bloggers & More - Send In Your Questions Too

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) has started a new communication feature for residents, - Ask Hey Susan - in which RIOC President Susan Rosenthal

will answer questions you ask her.

Here's the second installment of Ask Hey Susan.

HEY SUSAN! A bi-weekly column of questions to and answers from RIOC President and CEO Susan Rosenthal

HEY SUSAN!

I recently learned that you don't live on Roosevelt Island. Do you think that your investment in the community is at all compromised if you don't reside within it, or do you think that this is not the case? It baffles me that the President of the RIOC would be allowed to live off the Island. Thank you for explaining why this shouldn't matter.

SUSAN: Thanks for your question. I don’t think it matters that I live off Island. I believe that in any job, one is as invested as one wants to be. As President, I learn about Roosevelt Island by spending the time and effort to investigate, with my own eyes and ears, the community’s hopes, desires, and complaints.

My door is always open, and residents come in constantly, with A picture containing person, man Description generated with very high confidence or without appointments, to meet with our executive team and me.

I regularly attend events - it helps that I live minutes away - where I take the opportunity to observe and engage with Island residents. (Wasn’t the Halloween Extravaganza fun? And, I thought our Veterans Celebration was both moving and respectful).

The healthy and harmonious functioning of Roosevelt Island is what I’ve chosen to devote my waking hours to; I don’t need to sleep here to orchestrate RIOC Operations and make sure that essential services are provided - snow removal, the Red Buses and the Tram, garbage pick-up, landscaping, road repair, public safety, the Sportspark, maintenance of playgrounds and fields, the Youth Center and its sports programs, in addition to a list of renovations, remediations, and new projects.

One of the amazing things I’ve learned in the past few years is that so many RIOC employees LOVE the Island and take pride in how beautiful it is. That makes my job a lot easier!

Finally, our elected officials don’t live here while representing Roosevelt Island, but they come here and communicate with me and our residents often. We’ve worked together and will continue to work together to serve our Island.

So, I guess, that if a President cares about the Island, learns about it, spends time here with its residents and wants to do a good job (and has the skills to do so), I don’t think he/she has to live here.

Read more »

Developer Hudson Related To Build 341 Unit Affordable Housing Building On Roosevelt Island, Will RI Residents Be Given Preference For Units? RIOC Board Meeting Tomorrow To Approve Ground Lease

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) is holding a special meeting of the Board of Directors tomorrow. According to RIOC:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a Special Meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at the Manhattan Park Theater Club at 8 River Road, Roosevelt Island, New York.

AGENDA

1. Authorization to Enter Into a Ground Lease for Southtown for Building #8 in Accordance with the Fifth Amendment to the Development Agreement (Board Action Required – Materials to Follow)

Hudson Related is the developer of Southtown a/k/a Riverwalk building 8

According to this excerpt from November 15, 2018 Memo by RIOC General Counsel Jacqueline Flug:

... Under the proposed Building 8 Ground Lease, a 21-story building comprised of approximately 240,000 square feet of floor area and 341 rental units, will be constructed. Building 8 will be financed under the Department of Housing Preservation and Development of the City of New York and the New York City Housing Development Corporation’s M2 Mixed Middle Income Program. RIOC seeks to preserve affordable housing, consistent with its mission and statutory purpose.

BUILDING 8 GROUND LEASE TERMS
Under the Building 8 Ground Lease (i) 3% of the 341 units will be reserved as Homeless Units, (ii) 3% of the units will be reserved for very low-income families with household incomes of 40% of AMI, (iii) 14% of the units will be reserved for families with household incomes of 50% of AMI, (iv) 10% of the units will be reserved for families with household incomes of 80% of AMI, (v) 20% of the units will be reserved for families with household incomes of 100% of AMI, and (vi) 50% of the units will be reserved for families with household incomes of 130% of AMI. This breakdown provides an even greater degree of affordability than was set forth in the Fifth Amendment.

To the extent permitted under the financing programs, current Roosevelt Island residents will be given preference in any affordable housing lottery with respect to Building 8....

During the November 7 RIOC Real Estate Advisory Committee meeting, Hudson Related's David Kramer described plans for the Riverwalk 8 Roosevelt Island affordable housing building including potential for Roosevelt Island residents to obtain preferences for apartment in the buidling . Here's the discussion.



The most recent Ask Susan feature from RIOC President Susan Rosenthal includes a question from a resident about Roosevelt Island affordable housing, or the lack thereof.

HEY SUSAN!

I was very happy to see the email below from RIOC and hope that you will be able to assist me. I have a daughter who is bipolar and schizophrenic and as a divorced mother with six years to retirement, I am the only caregiver financially and otherwise as my daughter cannot work.

After residing on Roosevelt Island for six years in a one-bedroom at Manhattan Park Apartments, I now find that I am in uurgent need of an affordable apartment on the island or I will have no choice but to leave when my lease expires in May 2019.

I did not understand that the rent for a one-bedroom apartment would move drastically from the US $2,000 range to the current amount of US $2,732. Based on the fact that last year’s lease agreement increased my rent by US $266, I am afraid that I will not be able to continue living on Roosevelt Island beyond May 2019.

Susan, I really hope you will be able to inform me of any affordable two-bedroom apartment which is available on the island. Looking forward to your reply and guidance. Thank you in advance.


SUSAN: Thank you for your question and please accept my admiration of your dedication to your daughter.

As the governing agency for the Island, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation negotiates lease agreements with the various building owners and developers that include provisions for affordable housing based on federally-accepted income guidelines based on the Area Median Income (AMI) of the New York City region. These income guidelines are calculated annually, vary by family size and therefore subject to change on a yearly basis. I encourage you to contact several of the Island building managers to inquire about the availability of any designated affordable units in their developments.

Also, note that Hudson-Related is close to beginning construction on a new housing complex in Southtown that will wholly consist of affordable units based on the AMI. However, it is not expected to open until the summer of 2020.

Does anyone know the total number of Roosevelt Island affordable housing units in each building complex? How many affordable housing units in Southtown, Manhattan Park, Octagon, Wire buildings etc?

UPDATE 11/21 - RIOC Board of Directors

approved the ground lease for Riverwalk Building 8 last evening. The 3 resident Board members voted in favor of the ground lease and 2 NY State officials abstained. Acting RIOC Board Chair Alex Valella abstained because his agency approved a subsidy for the project. Also, the other NY State representative (don't have her name) abstained, saying that she did not have sufficient information to cast a vote.

Prior to the vote, the RIOC Board entered into Executive Session to discuss unresolved terms of the Ground Lease Agreement. The public, including Hudson Related representatives, were asked to leave the meeting room and were not allowed to observe issues being discussed by the RIOC Board. We waited in the adjoining foyer.

After approximately 30 minutes the Hudson Related representatives were called back into the room. After another 20 minutes, the Hudson Related representatives returned to the foyer, not looking very happy.

Shortly thereafter, we were all called back into the meeting room and the RIOC Board resumed it's public meeting.

Prior to the vote, RIOC General Counsel Jaci Flug announced that an additional provision would be  added to Ground Lease Agreement resolution. Hudson Related would build a Comfort Station at Firefighters Field and make modifications to the field at a cost not to exceed $1 Million.

Also, prior to the vote, RIOC Board member Michael Shinozaki asked Hudson Related's David Kramer to respond to questions about the project including the mix and configuration of the 341 apartment units. Mr Kramer's colleague from Related Companies reported that:

... 25% of units are studios, 15% are 3 Bedrooms and the balance are 1-2 bedrooms....

(Will have more specific info on unit configuration soon).

Here's the discussion,



followed by the Board vote.



 RIOC Board Director Michael Shinozaki joined the other 2 resident Board Members voting in favor of the Ground Lease but noted prior to his vote:

... you haven't left us with much of a choice..

During the RIOC Board Public Session, prior to the start of the Board meeting, Roosevelt Island resident Frank Farance asked the Board to defer voting on the Ground Lease Agreement until the plan on apartment layout is in compliance with the Roosevelt Island General Development Plan.



Stay tuned for more info on Riverwalk Building 8 Affordable Housing Plan.

UPDATE 11/30 - According to Hudson Related's David Kramer:

Riverwalk 8 has 341 units: 81 studios, 158 One Beds, 51 Twos and 51 Threes.

You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Senior Center And Disabled Association (RIDA) Thanksgiving Dinner Thursday November 22 - Volunteers Needed To Help Serve, Clean Up and Deliver Meals To Homebound

The Carter Burden Roosevelt Island Senior Center together with the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) are hosting their annual Thanksgiving Dinner Thursday, November 22 from 1-3 PM (546 Main Street).

2016 RIDA Thanksgiving Day Dinner

According to RIDA President Wendy Hersh:

RIDA's annual Thanksgiving dinner for those individuals with disabilities  and seniors living on Roosevelt Island that have no where to go will be on Thursday from 1-3pm at the Senior center. We will be collaborating with Carter Burden Senior Center. Please let people who are interested in coming to our Thanksgiving Dinner know to sign up with Yulissa at the Senior Center santanay@carterburdennetwork.org in advance so we have an approximate head count

We could use volunteers

2016 RIDA Thanksgiving Dinner Volunteers

to help serve or clean up too.

 Volunteers At 2015 RIDA Thanksgiving Dinner

Yulisa Santana of the Carter Burden Roosevelt Island Senior Center adds:

The senior center is looking for volunteers to help deliver the Holiday meals to our homebound seniors Wednesday, November 21, 2018 from 12- 1:30 p.m. If you would like to volunteer, please let me know.

Contact Ms.Santana here.