Very, Very Cool Video Showing 360 Degree View Of NYC East River Waterfront From Roosevelt Island Tram - Take A Look

Click on Full Screen Icon at bottom right of video for better view and look around.

Roosevelt Island Transportation This Weekend - Good News, F Train Service To And From Manhattan, Bad News, Only 1 Tram Cabin Operating For Next 12 Weeks

Good news. There is Roosevelt Island F Train subway service to and from Manhattan this weekend.



Bad news, as previously reported, due to a major Roosevelt Island Tram overhaul project, only a single Cabin will be operating each day for at least the next 12 weeks.

 Image From RIOC

According to 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 on February 14th and continuing for at least 12 weeks, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) announced....

... To help facilitate Island residents’ commutes during this period, RIOC will operate Red Bus shuttles between 58th-Street-and- Second-Avenue in Midtown Manhattan and the Roosevelt Island Tram Station during the weekday afternoon peak commute, 3 PM - 8:30 PM.

In discussions with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority which operates the New York City subway and bus system, RIOC officials received assurances this week that there will be no disruptions to the subway’s F Train line that services Roosevelt Island, including weekends up until 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....

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

More info on Roosevelt Island Tram Overhaul at this post.

Sponsored Post - Check Out Roosevelt Island Gristedes February 22 To February 28 Product Offerings, Specials & Sales Items - Free Delivery With $75 Or More Order

The Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket

invites you to check out their February 22 - February 28 Product Offerings, Specials & Sales items.

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

Amazon Cancels Plan For Long Island City HQ Across East River From Roosevelt Island - Protesters Happy But What About The 25 Thousand Jobs Lost

Amazon announced today that they are abandoning its plan announced last November to develop a campus headquarters on the Long Island City East River waterfront - a short 5 minute ferry ride from Roosevelt Island - and their plan to create more than 25 thousand jobs on this site.



According to today's Amazon statement:

After much thought and deliberation, we’ve decided not to move forward with our plans to build a headquarters for Amazon in Long Island City, Queens. For Amazon, the commitment to build a new headquarters requires positive, collaborative relationships with state and local elected officials who will be supportive over the long-term. While polls show that 70% of New Yorkers support our plans and investment, a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project we and many others envisioned in Long Island City.

We are disappointed to have reached this conclusion—we love New York, its incomparable dynamism, people, and culture—and particularly the community of Long Island City, where we have gotten to know so many optimistic, forward-leaning community leaders, small business owners, and residents. There are currently over 5,000 Amazon employees in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island, and we plan to continue growing these teams.

We are deeply grateful to Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and their staffs, who so enthusiastically and graciously invited us to build in New York City and supported us during the process. Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio have worked tirelessly on behalf of New Yorkers to encourage local investment and job creation, and we can’t speak positively enough about all their efforts. The steadfast commitment and dedication that these leaders have demonstrated to the communities they represent inspired us from the very beginning and is one of the big reasons our decision was so difficult.

We do not intend to reopen the HQ2 search at this time. We will proceed as planned in Northern Virginia and Nashville, and we will continue to hire and grow across our 17 corporate offices and tech hubs in the U.S. and Canada.

Thank you again to Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and the many other community leaders and residents who welcomed our plans and supported us along the way. We hope to have future chances to collaborate as we continue to build our presence in New York over time.

Opponents of the Amazon Long Island City HQ were pleased including Long Island City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer

Defeating an anti-union corporation that mistreats workers and assists ICE in terrorizing immigrant communities is a victory. Defeating an unprecedented act of corporate welfare is a triumph that should change the way we do economic development deals in our city & state forever.

— Jimmy Van Bramer (@JimmyVanBramer) February 14, 2019

“When Amazon said we are anti-union, and we’re going to remain anti-union and we’re going to fight the rights of workers to organize, I think that was really something that broke them,” says @NYCCouncil’s @JimmyVanBramer about $AMZN canceling NYC plans. #CheddarLIVE pic.twitter.com/MadXRVN1zk

— Cheddar (@cheddar) February 14, 2019

Queens State Senator Mike Gianaris

My live press conference about Amazon backing out of LIC https://t.co/rC4ydtcJis

— Sen. Mike Gianaris (@SenGianaris) February 14, 2019

and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Rep. @AOC on Amazon: "We should not be giving away our infrastructure, our subway system, our schools, our teachers' salaries, our firefighters' budgets, to a company that has not shown good faith to New Yorkers. And we can ask for more because we deserve more." pic.twitter.com/LEDqb0gDhG

— Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) February 14, 2019

But these Long Island City businessmen favor the LIC Amazon HQ and are unhappy that Amazon is not going forward with the project.

The owner of @JohnBrownSmoke has choice words for @JimmyVanBramer re: #AmazonHQ2 pic.twitter.com/bjFyRcQqQi

— myles miller (@MylesMill) February 14, 2019

"This is, quite honestly, one of the saddest days in New York City's history." A Long Island City business owner told NY1's @MylesMill that it is "beyond crazy that there could be any situation where Amazon coming to New York could be viewed a negative by anybody." pic.twitter.com/ZWHISdfhLW

— Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) February 14, 2019

Governor Cuomo reacts:

Amazon chose to come to New York because we are the capital of the world and the best place to do business. We competed in and won the most hotly contested national economic development competition in the United States, resulting in at least 25,000-40,000 good paying jobs for our state and nearly $30 billion dollars in new revenue to fund transit improvements, new housing, schools and countless other quality of life improvements. Bringing Amazon to New York diversified our economy away from real estate and Wall Street, further cementing our status as an emerging center for tech and was an extraordinary economic win not just for Queens and New York City, but for the entire region, from Long Island to Albany's nanotech center.

However, a small group politicians put their own narrow political interests above their community -- which poll after poll showed overwhelmingly supported bringing Amazon to Long Island City -- the state's economic future and the best interests of the people of this state. The New York State Senate has done tremendous damage. They should be held accountable for this lost economic opportunity.

The fundamentals of New York's business climate and community that attracted amazon to be here - our talent pool, world-class education system, commitment to diversity and progressivism - remain and we won't be deterred as we continue to attract world class business to communities across New York State.

And Mayor de Blasio:

You have to be tough to make it in New York City. We gave Amazon the opportunity to be a good neighbor and do business in the greatest city in the world. Instead of working with the community, Amazon threw away that opportunity. We have the best talent in the world and every day we are growing a stronger and fairer economy for everyone. If Amazon can’t recognize what that’s worth, its competitors will.

Roosevelt Island and Long Island City Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney adds:

The deal could have been improved. There were legitimate concerns raised and aspects that I wanted changed. I was ready to work for those changes. But now, we won’t have a chance to do that and we are out 25K+ new jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in new investments. 2/

— Carolyn B. Maloney (@RepMaloney) February 14, 2019

I'll continue working with the residents of Queensbridge, Ravenswood, Astoria Houses, & Woodside and all #LIC & #NY12 to strengthen our economy & bring good paying jobs to NY. 4/4

— Carolyn B. Maloney (@RepMaloney) February 14, 2019

During the November 13 Amazon protest, Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos stated reasons for his objecting to the proposed Amazon LIC deal.



But, there are those 25 thousand good paying jobs.

"I think it's a loss both for New York and for Amazon," says Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks on the company's decision to back out of building a new headquarters in Long Island City https://t.co/EnppGOEHWc pic.twitter.com/mPta8Xffq0

— CNN Business (@CNNBusiness) February 14, 2019

Interesting points:

Amazon is abandoning Queens but says it's still committed, on some scale, to New York City. The lesson for policymakers: Big fancy companies will come to New York for free, but if we want a new downtown for Queens, we'll have to pay. https://t.co/3ATfWzgpkQ

— Josh Barro (@jbarro) February 14, 2019

and:

One factor that concerned Amazon executives was how activists in New York City broadened their attacks from the specifics of the deal to the company’s practices far beyond the five boroughs, on unions and working with ICE, per two people familiar with Amazon's decision.

— J. David Goodman (@jdavidgoodman) February 14, 2019

UPDATE 5;20 PM - And:

There is a financial literacy epidemic in America.

Quick lesson: NYC wasn’t handing cash to Amazon. It was an incentive program based on job creation, producing tax revenue.

There isn’t a $3 billion pile of money that can now be spent on subways or education.

— Andrew Ross Sorkin (@andrewrsorkin) February 14, 2019

UPDATE 7:30 PM - Reaction from Long Island City businesses and residents





Also,a report about the Amazon Effect on Seattle.

Carter Burden Roosevelt Island Senior Center Chorus Forming With 92 St Y Vocal Department - Meet Weekly To Sing Your Favorite Broadway Show Tunes, Standards & More

The Carter Burden Roosevelt Island Senior Center i(546 Main Street) invites you to join the newly formed Roosevelt Island Senior Center Chorus:

Join 92nd Street Y School of Music’s Chair of the Vocal Department, Ann Hoyt, for the Roosevelt Island Senior Center Chorus starting Tuesday 2/19 and Wednesday 2/20, 12:30 – 2:30 pm. Groups will meet weekly for 15 sessions in a fun and relaxed setting to learn and rehearse your favorite Broadway hits, show tunes, standards and more. No experience necessary, only a love of music and an enthusiastic voice! Don’t have a voice? It doesn’t matter: come for the fun!!

•Tuesday 2/19, 12:30 – 2:30 pm, 15 Sessions. Final concert 6/4, 1:30 pm

•Wednesday 2/20, 12:30 – 2:30 pm, 15 sessions. Final concert 6/5, 1:30 pm

The class is sponsored by the 92 ST Y but will take place at the senior center. No registration is required. People can just walk-in.

Be Prepared, Roosevelt Island Tram Overhaul Begins Thursday February 14 - Only 1 Tram Cabin In Operation For At Least Next 12 Weeks Says RIOC

The next 12 weeks are not going to be fun for Roosevelt Islanders. As reported last January 17, the Roosevelt Island Tram will be undergoing a major over maintenance project that will result in only a single cabin in operation during this time.

Yesterday, workers were getting ready for the project

which starts tomorrow. Be prepared, for some horrible commuting, particularly when the inevitable occurs and F train service is interrupted for one reason or another.
 

 Image From 2017 F Train Morning Service Disruption Tram Lines For 2 Operating Cabins

Fortunately, the MTA has assured the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) that there will be no scheduled F train service disruptions thru April 17. But the 12 week Tram maintenance project is planned to last at least a month longer than the MTA's assurance of no scheduled F train service disruptions.

According to RIOC:

The Roosevelt Island Tram is scheduled to undergo two major maintenance projects that will reduce operating service to one cabin only beginning on February 14th and continuing for at least 12 weeks, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) announced.

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 58th-Street-and- Second-Avenue in Midtown Manhattan and the Roosevelt Island Tram Station during the weekday afternoon peak commute, 3 PM - 8:30 PM.

In discussions with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority which operates the New York City subway and bus system, RIOC officials received assurances this week that there will be no disruptions to the subway’s F Train line that services Roosevelt Island, including weekends up until 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 info@rioc.ny.gov.

Gorgeous Nighttime Aerial NYC East River Waterfront View Seen From Drone Flying High Above Roosevelt Island - Stunning Pictures Of Manhattan And Long Island City Skylines

Click on full screen icon at bottom right of video for fantastic view.

Roosevelt Island Parents' Network Crafts For Kids Saturday Feb 16 - Bring Your Child To Make Share More Love Greeting Card

According to the Roosevelt Island Parents Network:

Dear Roosevelt Island Parents and Caregivers,

This month we wish to celebrate "Love" in RIPN's free event " Craft with Kids". We would like to welcome you and your little one and encourage them to "Make their very own Greeting card".

Date : 2/16/2019
Time : 10.30 - 11.30 am
Venue : Lounge, 475 Main Street

Please register for event by using this link

Come and spend Saturday morning with your child making some lovely art together.

Looking forward to seeing you for the event.

Contact RIPN's Cecilia for more info.

RIOC Seeking Your Opinion For Use Of Outdoor Open Space Adjacent to New Roosevelt Island Public Library - Take The Survey To Tell RIOC What You Want

On a very cold January 12 Saturday morning a small group of residents met with Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal, other RIOC staff and designers

to discuss ideas for use of the outdoor space next to the new Roosevelt Island Public Library

that will be located at 504 Main Street.

RIOC is seeking your opinion as well. According to RIOC:

On Saturday January 12th, RIOC and the designers of the Blackwell Park renovation project met with community members to discuss the use of the open outdoor area adjacent to the Roosevelt Island branch New York Public Library (NYPL). Larger programmatic ideas for the space were discussed in the meeting. We are encouraging all members of the community who were not able to participate to use the following link to provide their input: www.surveymonkey.com/r/JLQY3NS

A physical copy of the survey will also be distributed to building managers.

The deadline to participate in the survey is Wednesday, February 13th.

The Survey asks:

1. What is your preference for the type of use and accommodation at the library plaza?

2. What is your preference for the activity level the library plaza?

3. What is your preferred seating at the library plaza?

Click here to take the Survey and post your opinion below in comment section.

The new Roosevelt Island Public Library is scheduled to open by end of this year.

Roosevelt Island Resident & iDig2Learn Founder Christina Delfico Moderating UN Civil Society Unit Briefing Titled Start Local Go Local! Bridging Sustainable Practices Across Industries, A Focus On Food, Film & Waste - You're Invited To Feb 14 Event

Roosevelt Island resident, iDig2Learn founder and Sustainability Activist Christina Delfico is moderating a United Nations Civil Society Unit Briefing titled:

Start Local, Go Global! Bridging Sustainable Practices Across Industries: A Focus on Food, Film and Waste - 14 February 2019

Join us 14 FEB @UNDGC_CSO as leaders across industries share sustainable practices easy to adopt. Whether your company, city, state or country has gone green or wishes to, come be inspired #EarthLove #UNwithCivilSociety RSVP here https://t.co/ng7McKuL3t pic.twitter.com/6ixO76kdGu

— iDig2Learn (@iDig2Learn) February 6, 2019

Are you joining us next week for #TuesdayChat & #ThursdayBriefing? We'll discuss the work of our Unit & #sustainable practices in 🍴food, 📽️film and ♻️waste industries. Head 👉 https://t.co/8nrarjVr0U now to RSVP! pic.twitter.com/lbU7gLWVF4

— UN Civil Society (@UNDGC_CSO) February 8, 2019

Ms Delfico will also be presenting a case study of our very own Roosevelt Island community's sustainability efforts.

You're invited to attend. Please RSVP here by February 12.

Ms Delfico adds:

This is a very exciting opportunity to learn more about how our everyday actions impact the earth and to hear from Film, Food, Urban Design, Farm and Waste experts working to Do No Harm to the earth as they produce.

In addition to moderating, iDig2Learn will present of a case study, Greening, an Island, to illustrate how the creation of green spaces leads to partnerships which increases neighborhood sustainability efforts.

This RSVP closes 2/12.

Celebrate Valentine's Day by showing your #EarthLove!
You are invited to join us at the United Nations for this free event!

Civil Society Thursday Briefing
Start Local, Go Global!
Bridging Sustainable Practices Across Industries: A Focus on Food, Film and Waste
14 February 2019
11 a.m. -12:45 p.m.

As tremendous supporters, partners and friends of all of our earth-friendly endeavors together, it is a great honor to invite you to our UN Civil Society Thursday Briefing on Sustainable Practices.

Please RSVP today (rsvp closes Tuesday 2/12) and join me and our inspirational speakers.
And in the spirit of Valentine's Day we will have the hashtag #EarthLove to start the conversation, so please share the eco-friendly habits you do or hope to do and tag them #EarthLove #UNwithCivilSociety @UNDGC_CSO

RSVP here:

Welcome:

Mr Jeff Brez, Chief of Civil Society Unit, Civil Society, Advocacy and Special Events Unit

Guest Moderator:
Ms. Christina Delfico, Emmy nominated Executive Producer & founder of iDig2Learn

Panel Speakers:

Ms. Akari Tomita

United Nations International School Eighth Grade Student and Environmental Club Member

Ms. Christina Delfico

Emmy nominated Executive Producer and founder of iDig2Learn, a project of Open Space Institute, Inc.

Ms. Duygu Celik
Partnership Adviser, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Ms. Claudine Marrotte

Executive Producer / Director, Park Slope Pictures and Producers Guild of America’s Green Chair

Mr. Max Lerner

Sustainability Development Project Coordinator, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation

Mr. Erycka de Jesus

Master Composter, “Inner-Sustainabilist” and Just Soil Co-founder

Ms. Tama Matsouka Wong

Author, Forager, Entrepreneur and Founder of Meadows and More

RSVP here.

More on iDig2Learn's Roosevelt Island projects at these posts.

You're Invited To Benefit Of Essential Oils Workshop At Carter Burden Roosevelt Island Senior Center Tuesday February 12

The Roosevelt Island Carter Burden Senior Center (546 Main Street) is hosting a Benefits Of Essential Oils workshop tomorrow, February 12. You're invited.

Benefits of Essential Oils

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Learn and have fun in this interactive workshop on the health benefits associated with the use of essential oils. Topics covered in the lecture:

• What are essential oils?

• How to choose and use essential oils?

• How to diffuse and inhale them.

• Q & A session.

Help support your well-being and that of your family with Essential oils. 

Come hear about their many benefits at 11 am on Tuesday the 12th of February at the Seniors Center where Chiara Sharp, a Health & Well-being Coach will educate you on how to use them in your everyday life.