... One of the most famous cases associated with the hospital was the journalism of young female reporter Nellie Bly, who in 1887 entered the hospital under the guise of insanity under assignment from Joseph Pulitzer. She wrote, "From the moment I entered the insane ward on the Island, I made no attempt to keep up the assumed role of insanity. I talked and acted just as I do in ordinary life. Yet strange to say, the more sanely I talked and acted, the crazier I was thought to be by all...." Now trapped, Bly was tormented with rotted food, cruel attendants, and cramped and diseased conditions. After talking with other patients she became convinced many were as sane as she was, writing
What, excepting torture, would produce insanity quicker than this treatment? Here is a class of women sent to be cured. I would like the expert physicians who are condemning me for my action, which has proven their ability, to take a perfectly sane and healthy woman, shut her up and make her sit from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. on straight-back benches, do not allow her to talk or move during these hours, give her no reading and let her know nothing of the world or its doings, give her bad food and harsh treatment, and see how long it will take to make her insane. Two months would make her a mental and physical wreck.
She was held in the Asylum for ten days before she was finally released with the help of Pulitzer.
Her report, later published in the book Ten Days in a Mad-House, resulted in not only embarrassment for the Institution but a grand jury investigation into the conditions and the question of how so many "professionals" had been fooled. The end result was a $1,000,000 increase in the budget of the Department of Public Charities and Corrections as well as their recommendation of changes proposed by Nellie. Ultimately, this report brought about the end of the Asylum Blackwell's Island....
The Lunatic Asylum is now Roosevelt Island's Octagon luxury rental building.
On a mission to expose the deplorable conditions and mistreatment of patients at the notorious Women’s Lunatic Asylum, investigative reporter Nellie Bly (Christina Ricci) feigns mental illness in order to be institutionalized to report from the inside. The movie delivers an intense and fictionalized account of actual events surrounding Nellie's stay beginning after Nellie has undergone treatment, leaving her with no recollection of how she came to the asylum or her real identity....
What actually happened to Nellie Bly 🕵️♀️ on the real Blackwell's Island? Find out, and watch @ChristinaRicci tell her story in Escaping The Madhouse: #TheNellieBlyStory 📰 premiering Saturday, January 19th at 8/7c. pic.twitter.com/OWF8GBfmuR
Many Roosevelt Island residents care passionately about the history of our little New York City/State Island in the middle of the East River - we even have our own Historical Society. Our history usually begins with Blackwells Island, then renamed Welfare Island and now Roosevelt Island.
But before there was Blackwells Island - there was the Lenape people.
The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reported today:
Passing by Blackwell House earlier made me wonder: @RIOCny is once again restoring this small piece of colonial history. I think that has value. But do we have anything here on @Rooseveltisland to remember & recognize the Lenape people who first called this island home? ❄️ pic.twitter.com/z7i6sBQMBe
Unfortunately since history is written by the "victors", I doubt that will happen. Since we keep talking about America being discovered, rather than what really happened, it was invaded by Europeans. When the history books finally reflect the truth then perhaps.
My kids learned of the Lenape while in elementary school. If there was some sort of exhibit on the island perhaps down in the Wild Gardens it might draw local school kids.
Yes! An outdoor exhibit that also worked in an acknowledgment of native flora/fauna and how the Lenape coexisted with the natural environment would be hugely informative, and perhaps unique enough in NYC it would draw school trips from all over. @iDig2Learn what do you think?
... Blackwell's was the name that for nearly two centuries identified what is now known as Roosevelt Island, whose aerial tramway cable-cars gliding over the East River can be seen from the Queensborough Bridge. The cigar-shaped 120-acre isle beneath the bridge extends 1.75 miles and is 750 feet across at its widest point.
Gov. Van Twiller reported obtaining it for New Amsterdam from native tribal leaders in 1637. Then the Dutch settlers put their pigs to pasture there, generating its early Colonial name of Hog Island. In 1652, a man named Flyn acquired the island but 16 years later a British military captain, John Manning, bought it. Unhappily for him, he presided over the surrender and brief return of the city to Dutch rule in 1673. For this, his sword was later symbolically broken in a City Hall ceremony of disgrace. Afterwards, Manning retired to his island refuge. His stepdaughter married Robert Blackwell who took title to it in 1717.
New York City acquired the island on July 19, 1828, through a foreclosure -- later ruled to have been illegal. Total final price: $52,500...
... Before New York, before New Amsterdam – there was Lenapehoking, the land of the Lenape, the original inhabitants of the places we call Manhattan, Westchester, northern New Jersey and western Long Island. This is the story of their first contact with European explorers and settlers and their gradual banishment from their ancestral land.
Fur trading changed the lifestyles of the Lenape well before any permanent European settlers stepped foot in this region. Early explorers had a series of mostly positive experiences with early native people. With the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam, the Lenape entered into various land deals, ‘selling’ the land of Manhattan at a location in the area of today’s Inwood Hill Park.
But relations between New Amsterdam and the surrounding native population worsened with the arrival of Director-General William Kieft, leading to bloody attacks and vicious reprisals, killing hundreds of Lenape and colonists alike. Peter Stuyvesant arrives to salvage the situation, but further attacks threatened any treaties of peace. But the time of English occupation, the Lenape were decimated and without their land....
Right. I always flinch a little when I hear people who have lived on Roosevelt Island since the 70s and 80s refer to themselves as “original settlers.”
TRACK MAINTENANCE Weekends until Jan 28 From 11:45 PM Friday to 5 AM Monday 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, Lexington Av/63 St and 57 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 Coney Island-bound F.
As reported yesterday, due to the Tram Overhaul project starting second week of February with only one Tram Cabin operating:
... RIOC officials received assurances that there will be no disruptions to the subway’s F Train line that services Roosevelt Island, including weekends through April 19.
Additional service will be provided via the E Train line, weeknights March 18 – March 22 and March 25 – March 29; and all four weekends March 23 – April 25.....
Both Tram Cabins operating at full capacity this weekend.
There is Roosevelt Island ferry service on the Astoria Route. Here's the Winter Schedule for Roosevelt Island ferry service.
This is not going to be fun. Be prepared for Roosevelt Island Tram service disruption starting second week of February. According to this announcement today from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
The Roosevelt Island Tram is scheduled to undergo two major maintenance projects that will reduce operating service to one cabin only beginning the second week of February and continuing for at least 10 weeks, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) announced Thursday.
Track cable relocation, phase 1 of the work, is a safety requirement of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for aerial tramways and gondolas operating in the United States.
As per the safety regulations (ANSI B77.1), the Tram is required to relocate its track cables after a pre-determined amount of time. RIOC’s Tram contractor Leitner-Poma, who totally rebuilt the Tram’s infrastructure nine years ago, will perform the work.
The timeline is subject to change depending on weather conditions and the conditions found within the equipment during the relocation. During that time, one cabin will be taken out of service, starting with the North cabin.
“Much like a car that has recommended maintenance at pre-determined intervals, we are that point with the Roosevelt Island Tram,” said RIOC CEO and President Susan Rosenthal.
“We apologize in advance for the inconvenience this may cause. But this effort is to create the safest transportation system possible and to extend its service life into the future,” Rosenthal said of the Tram that since 2016 has transported more than 10 million commuters. “We appreciate your patience and assistance with this important maintenance project.”
Track cables are basically the “road” that the Tram cabin runs on. Each track cable does have movement with every trip of the tram to allow for expansion and contraction, but for the most part the cables are fixed in a single location on each tower. Over time, this location is subject to more wear and bending actions than the other locations, which is the reason the cable is periodically relocated.
Each track cable also contains fiber optic lines inside the core which the Tram uses for communications and controls. This fiber optic line must be cut and re-terminated following the track relocation.
There will be periods of shutdown for both cabin systems during the actual movement of the rope, during tensioning and during the fiber optic changeover, but the plan is to conduct this work late at night and during normal overnight shutdown periods.
Leitner-Poma crews will be working seven days per week to complete the work as quickly as possible.
The second phase of work consists of four gearbox overhauls (inspecting and replacing internal parts such as the gears, bearings, seals and oil changes). This work will start as soon as Phase 1’s track cable relocation is complete. The schedule may change depending on the construction of needed parts and the impact of the federal government shutdown of the overseas import of those parts.
The duration of Phase 2 is estimated to last four to six weeks. During that repair, the Tram will be running daily on a one-cabin reduced capacity.
WHY ARE GEARBOX OVERHAULS NEEDED?
Each cabin is pulled by an assembly of two gearboxes. Due to the age of the gearboxes and following the gearbox failure on the North tram last August, Kissling AG, the original gearbox manufacturer and a leader in the industry, has recommended to proceed right away with the overhaul of all four gearboxes.
To help facilitate Island residents’ commutes during this period, RIOC will operate Red Bus shuttles between 59th-Street-and- Second-Avenue in Midtown Manhattan and Roosevelt Island during the weekday afternoon peak commute. Exact schedules will be released before the repairs begin.
In discussions this week with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates the New York City subway and bus system, RIOC officials received assurances that there will be no disruptions to the subway’s F Train line that services Roosevelt Island, including weekends through April 19.
Additional service will be provided via the E Train line, weeknights March 18 – March 22 and March 25 – March 29; and all four weekends March 23 – April 25.
RIOC has also asked NYC Ferry officials to consider expanding ferry service – to and from Roosevelt Island, Queens and Manhattan - during the weekday peak periods and weekends; and is awaiting their response.
More information about this project, updated Red Bus shuttle schedules and project timelines will be posted at rioc.ny.gov. Please forward additional questions or inquiries to RIOC’s Public Information Officer Alonza Robertson at alonza.robertson@rioc.ny.gov.
The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council discussed the Tram service disruption during its January 9 meeting. Here's the discussion initiated by new Common Council member Justin Ellis looking for ideas to improve transportation options during the Tram service outage.
Hopefully, the Tram tourist crowds will be less this winter than last summer.
UPDATE 4;30 PM - RIOC adds:
Why Offer the Red Bus Shuttle During the Afternoon Rush Only?
Some people has asked us about running the shuttle during the morning hours too. Our Transportation Department has found that due to morning rush-hour vehicle the free shuttle can only make two roundtrips trips (which equates to about 68 seated passengers) from Roosevelt Island to Manhattan via the 59th Street Bridge. That’s not an efficient use of resources.
As a transportation alternative, the Q102 MTA bus makes the route to Roosevelt Island every 20 minutes and takes riders directly to Queens Plaza where they are able to make transfer connections to three different train lines and two other buses headed directly to Manhattan.
In the afternoon, the shuttle can make up to five roundtrips from Midtown Manhattan. We hope that Roosevelt Island seniors, individuals with disabilities or in wheelchairs, and parents or caregivers with young children (strollers etc.) will use the service in addition to all else needing a ride.
Also, please note that though the Tram will be operating on a one-cabin basis, it will “load and go” to make as many trips as possible during peak times to decrease wait times. When we have two operational cabins, we typically wait until actual departure schedule times (no matter if we were full or had small amounts of passengers).
Historic preservation combines multiple disciplines: architecture, design, knowledge of period materials and construction techniques, plus communication to manage the process of building owners, regulators and the masons and builders who perform the work.
Architect Thomas A. Fenniman, AIA, has completed work on the Visitors Center Kiosk
and the slate roof and narthex restoration of the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, as well as a Condition Study of the Renwick Lighthouse. With over 35 years experience working in NYC and the metropolitan area, Fenniman has developed a special expertise in working with non-profit institutions and in the creative use of cost-effective designs and solutions with a commitment to quality. His firm has been recognized for excellence in historic restoration by numerous State and local agencies including The New York State Parks Department, The New York Landmarks Conservancy, Friends of the Upper Eastside, The Victorian Society of New York, and the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation.
Fenniman will speak on these projects and others completed in Manhattan and Brooklyn at a lecture presented by the Roosevelt Island Historical Society at the New York Public Library Branch on Roosevelt Island, on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
The event is FREE and open to the public. It is the third in the Society’s annual series of fall lectures, which is supported by funds provided by Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation’s Public Purpose Fund and New York City Council Member Ben Kallos, with funding from the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development.
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....
Construction on the Riverwalk building 8 began this week.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) has executed a ground lease agreement with the developers – the Hudson Companies Inc. and the Related Companies LLP. - for Southtown Building 8 that will bring 341 units of additional affordable housing to Roosevelt Island by 2021.
At a special session convened November 20, RIOC’s Board of Directors - after reviewing the deal’s proposed structure - voted to allow RIOC President and CEO Susan Rosenthal approval to negotiate and execute a final ground lease with the Hudson Related Companies for Building 8, a planned 21-story building comprised of approximately 240,000 square feet of floor area, on the plot just south of 480 Main Street. The building will be designed by Handel Architects who also designed the Southtown 7 building.
In a negotiation during the special session, Hudson Related also agreed to construct a comfort station at the Island’s Firefighters Field and make modifications to the field up to a cost of $1 million.
Sixty percent of the units in Southtown 8 will be permanently affordable. The other 40 percent of the units will be income restricted and or affordable for at least 40 years from permanent loan conversion.
“The Southtown 8 ground lease will allow RIOC to continue honoring its mission, as laid out in the Island’s General Development Plan; to promote, develop and maintain an affordable mixed-use residential community,” here on the Island, said RIOC President Susan Rosenthal. Of the current 5,226 units already built on Roosevelt Island, 2,200 remain affordable, according to RIOC’s 2018 Performance Measure Report.
The Southtown 8 building will be financed under M2 Mixed Income programs through the Department of Housing Preservation and Development of the City of New York (HPD) and the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC).
Other provisions in the deal include:
On the date of closing, December 26, 2018, the developer paid RIOC $288,000, the first annual payment of ground rent.
At the beginning of the Rent Commencement Date, (or the end of construction), the developer’s annual ground rent will be $576,000 and increase three percent each year.
A one-time rental payment of $16,800,000 is also due at the beginning of the rental period, but can be deferred up to 36 months at a four percent interest rate.
The apartment quantity by size in Southtown Building 8 is broken down as follows:
81 - studio
158 - 1BR
51 - 2 BR
50 - 3 BR
Depending on family and apartment size, income-level based rents (calculated based on the AMI) will vary from a minimum of $505 a month for a studio; to $3,431 for a three-bedroom.
The City requires that the new building provide a 50 percent preference for residents of Community Board 8’s jurisdiction which includes Roosevelt Island.
When marketing and leasing starts, residential applications will be submitted to a “housing lottery” via the NYC Housing Connect website which is administered by the city’s HPD.
Will Roosevelt Island residents get preference for the Riverwalk Building 8 housing lottery.
During the November 7 RIOC Real Estate Advisory Committee meeting, Hudson Related developer David Kramer said he would love to give Roosevelt Island residents a preference for the affordable units but the NYC Housing Preservation Department, which is providing project financing said the preference is for entire Community Board 8 and not limited to Roosevelt Island residents.
But I asked RIOC Board Directors and President Susan Rosenthal:
As you know, during the November 7 RIOC Real Estate Development Advisory Committee meeting (see post here), RIOC President Susan Rosenthal asked Hudson Related developer David Kramer about providing Roosevelt Island residents with preference for obtaining housing in the new Riverwalk 8 Affordable Housing building soon to start construction. Susan asked David if it would help for RIOC to insist that such a provision be in the agreement.
David replied that he was told by the NYC Financing Authorities that the preference applied to Community Board 8 residents, which included Roosevelt Island, but could not be restricted to Roosevelt Island residents.
The City is committed to widening opportunities for affordable housing for all New Yorkers. Please note that all applicants, regardless of preference, must meet the income, employment, and other eligibility criteria set for each property for which they are applying.
Preference is given to applicants that meet one or more of the following criteria:
Persons with Mobility, Hearing, and/or Vision Disabilities
Federal disability statutes give preference to five percent (5%) of units for households applicants with a household member who has a mobility disability. Another two percent (2%) of units receive preference for households with a household member who has a hearing or visual disability.
Current Community Board Residents (CB)
Current residents of the community board in which the property is located receive a preference for fifty percent (50%) of the units. The community preference was established to provide greater housing opportunities for long-time residents of New York City neighborhoods where HPD/HDC have made a significant investment in housing. To find what CB you live in, visit: http://www.nyc.gov/html/cau/html/cb/cb.shtml.
Municipal Employees
The City recognizes that many New York City municipal employees are required to live within the five boroughs and can often find it very difficult to obtain affordable housing. The municipal preference makes five percent (5%) of the units in HPD- or HDC-financed developments available to current municipal employees. Down Payment Assistance for homeownership applicants is also available. HPD/HDC will also work with its partners to provide homeownership counseling and education to municipal employees interested in becoming homeowners.
Nearly all New York City employees are eligible for the preference. For a list of eligible Agencies, visit:http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/apartment/faqs-municipal-employees.shtml#agencies. Employees will be screened to ensure that no conflict of interest exists. If you are unsure whether you may have a conflict of interest, check with your agency.
Project-specific Preferences
As part of the agreements set forth for a specific development, additional preferences may apply. Such preferences may include, but are not limited to, preferences for Senior Citizens or Veterans. Any such preference would be specified in the advertisement for the project
Paragraph 4 allows Project Specific Preferences and is not limited to community board residents, Senior Citizens, Veterans, municipal employees etc. This may allow for a Roosevelt Island resident preference for Riverwalk Building 8.
Here is an example of a NYC affordable housing development in Chelsea that has a preference for NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents. If NYCHA residents are permitted a preference for the Chelsea building under NYC affordable housing program, why not a Roosevelt Island residents preference for Riverwalk Building 8?
Will RIOC revisit this issue of preferences for Roosevelt Island residents with Hudson Related and inquire with appropriate authorities if it is possible?
The Real Deal reports on the Hudson Related Rivewalk affordable housing building financing today:
... The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development provided a $20.29 million permanent subsidy loan, while the New York City Housing Development Corporation gave $12.9 million in tax-exempt bonds. The New York State HCR through its Homes for Working Families program loaned $12.5 million.
Meanwhile, Citi provided a $74.6 million construction loan and letter of credit for the tax-exempt bonds as well as a $3 million subsidy loan. The bank also committed to buying the tax credits from the project’s tax credit syndicator, WNC.
In a statement, Citi’s Tricia Yarger called the financing structure for the project “complex.”...
Will update when more info available on Riverwalk Building 8 preferences for Roosevelt Island residents. Stay tuned.
Have you heard of the 550 robbery or attempted robbery at gunpoint?
According to a NYPD spokesperson, on Sunday afternoon at approximately 2 PM, the victim, a 35 year old male was approached on Main Street by a man known to him. The assailant displayed a gun and robbed the victim.
There was a gunpoint robbery rear of 579 Main Street west seawall on 1/13/19 at 1359 hours
Perp M/40
Property taken 120 OxyContin pills.
No injuries reported and no arrests yet. Matter is under investigation.
UPDATE 1/16 - RIOC Public Safety Department Deputy Director Kevin Brown adds:
The victim was picking up the pills for his parent
The victim was picking up the pills which were obtained with a prescription from Gristedes pharmacy for his parent who came into PSD with the son when report was filed.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) announced today, Monday, January 14, that General Counsel Jacqueline Flug will be leaving RIOC on February 8, 2019 to join the private sector.
“RIOC has had the privilege and pleasure of Jaci’s good counsel for more than two years; I will miss her intelligence, skill, commitment and calming temperament,” said RIOC President Susan G. Rosenthal.
“I could always count on Jaci to speak the truth and every executive needs that from her advisor. We wish her well and sincerely thank her for her service,” she said.
Also, RIOC announced John O’Reilly as its new chief financial officer and vice president for financial affairs. His appointment was approved at the RIOC Board of Directors meeting December 13.
O’Reilly is a certified public accountant with experience in strategic planning, tax, risk management and construction. He previously was the chief financial officer for DCK Worldwide Holdings, Inc. and Leech, Tishman, Fuscaldo & Lampl, LLC.
“With more than a dozen major capital projects on-going – in addition to our aggressive capital improvement plan – we are fortunate and thrilled to have John join our executive team and help lead us with expertise and acumen,” Rosenthal said.
In the last several months, the RIOC Chief Financial Officer, VP of Capital Planning and now General Counsel have all left after relatively short stays in their positions - approximately 2 years or less.
Community speculation was that Ms. Flug was being groomed to succeed current RIOC President Susan Rosenthal when she retires.
Roosevelt Island Ferry service will add another stop this spring with the addition of the Brooklyn Navy Yard to the Astoria Route.
The Astoria route, which connects residents in Queens to Lower Manhattan, will add an additional stop at Brooklyn Navy Yard starting in May 2019. pic.twitter.com/h7YdZ0HIji
Following his State of the City address last week, Mayor de Blasio today released additional details about the expansion of the NYC Ferry system, which will begin serving all five boroughs in 2020....
... “In less than two years, NYC Ferry has become one of the most reliable, affordable, and beloved transit systems in the city,” said James Patchett, New York City Economic Development President and CEO. “Expansion of the system means getting even more New Yorkers where they need to go, increasing access to good-paying jobs, schools, and other neighborhoods, all for the price of a subway ride. We are proud to have delivered an invaluable asset to the city that makes all five boroughs fairer and stronger.”...
... “This new ferry service, particularly for Roosevelt Island, the East Side of Manhattan, Western Queens and North Brooklyn will provide important new transit options for New Yorkers, better connect our neighborhoods, and strengthen our local economy. I applaud the Mayor and the City for their continued dedication to this project,” said Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney....
... "The NYC Ferry has fundamentally improved Roosevelt Islanders' commutes, and the new connection to the Brooklyn Navy Yard will open up even more opportunities," said Council Member Ben Kallos. "By connecting Cornell Tech to the Navy Yard, we are further cementing Roosevelt Island's role as an innovation hub. Thank you to Mayor de Blasio and Economic Development Corporation President James Patchett for continuing to expand this great service."...
... NYC ferry has created over 325 jobs such as captains, deckhands, customer service agents, ticketing, operations and more and is currently accepting applications. Hiring in advance of the system’s expansion in 2020 and 2021 will commence next spring. New Yorkers of all backgrounds and skill levels are encouraged to apply. Jobseekers can apply directly at https://www.ferry.nyc/careers/....
BdB has been getting asked about fare integration since he launched this ferry system and has held many press conferences about it. Fairly shocking that the city hasn't gotten those conversations with the MTA going.
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
