RIOC Announces Blackwell Park Dog Run Cancelled Due To Community Objections, Will Seek Alternative Space In Southtown Area - Temporary Riverwalk Dog Run Will Remain For Few More Months Due To Hudson Related Delay In Signing Ground Lease For Building 9

The location of a new Roosevelt Island Dog run took another turn during the December 4 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Development Advisory Committee (REDAC) December 4 meeting. RIOC President Susan Rosental reported that RIOC had listened to some community opposition

Image From Say No Blackwell Park Dog Run Petition

about placing the new Dog Run in Blackwell Park and decided to cancel that plan and seek a location in Southtown.

Ms Rosenthal added that the new location being sought in Southtown requires approval by the building's condo board but did not reveal the specific site. I learned later from a reliable source that the site is located behind either 415-425

or 455-465 Main Street,

between Main Street and the building's hedges.

In the event that approval is not given, RIOC will try to locate the Dog Run in the public commons area between the under construction Building 8 and Building 9,, which has not started construction yet.

Also,  Ms Rosenthal told the REDAC that RIOC will start from scratch regarding renovation of Blackwell Park including a new Request For Proposals.

According to this RIOC announcement:

After listening to public feedback, RIOC staff members and our partners at Hudson-Related are reviewing alternate locations for the proposed dog run at Blackwell Park.

One space under consideration will require co-operative board approval. We are also considering relocating the dog run back to the land between Riverwalk 8 and 9 where it was originally planned. While we continue to explore locations, we also intend to continue with previously announced improvements to the plaza at Blackwell House by replacing the pavers and by making incidental improvements.

RIOC will continue to keep the community informed on our progress.

Here's the REDAC Discussion of Dog Run issue.



Ms Rosenthal noted that the current Southtown Dog Run

will remain for a few more months because Riverwalk Building 9 construction has been delayed due to developer Hudson Related not yet ready to sign the Ground Lease. RIOC believes Hudson Related will be ready to sign ground lease by April. RIOC will collect a $1 million penalty from Hudson Related for not signing ground lease by end of this year.

Hudson Related declined to comment on the matter.