We're havin' a party
Everybody's swinging
Dancing to the music
On the radio
So listen, Mr. DJ
Keep those records playing
'Cause I'm having such a good time
Dancing with my baby
Celebrating Franklin D. Roosevelt's perseverance despite the paralysis of his
legs, the FDR Hope Memorial provides inspiration to those struggling with the
extraordinary personal challenges of all forms of disability. The memorial is
located near the southern top of Roosevelt Island in NYC—with the United
Nations within FDR's view....
There have been many delays and setbacks since the FDR Hope Memorial was first proposed in 2009,
... The efforts to build a memorial on Roosevelt Island depicting President Roosevelt in a wheelchair began in 2009 when RIDA opposed and protested the Louis Kahn FDR Four Freedom Park design proposal for not portraying in any manner President Roosevelt as a disabled person.
RIDA and the FDR Four Freedoms Park organizers subsequently reconciled
and have been working together to bring the FDR Hope Memorial to
fruition....
During last evening's Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board
Of Directors meeting, Acting RIOC President Shelton Haynes reported that:
...the FDR Hope Memorial is now completed and we hope to have unveiling very
soon, weather permitting and social distancing permitting....
Here's a 2012 interview with FDR Hope Memorial Sculptor Meredith Bergmann and former RIDA President/FDR Hope Committee Chair Jim Bates (now deceased) at an early design mock-up presentation of the FDR Hope Memorial. (At the time of interview, the Memorial included FDR's desk which was not included in final design)
Also, in 2015 former RIDA President Virginia Granato, who was very involved in early stages of the project before she passed away, described what the FDR Hope Memorial meant to her.
During this evening's Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of
Directors Meeting Public Session, RIOC Director Michael Shinozaki noted that
by law, RIOC Directors are not required to have "interactive feedback" with
the public during these Public Sessions and that allowing the public to
comment or question is a "courtesy".
UPDATE 12/30 - During the Board Meeting following the Public Session, the Bike Ramp authorization was removed from the Agenda. Here's video of the RIOC Board discussing the proposed Motorgate Bike Ramp.
What is happening at the Roosevelt Island Bridge this morning
Chief Brown replied:
There was a dog rescue on the bridge by NYPD Emergency service unit . A
small dog was stuck in the grating. The dog was rescued with no injuries
and traffic is flowing normal.
The dog had a tag on but no owner was anywhere to be found. The NYPD took
custody of the dog and is attempting to locate the owner.
I followed up asking the NYPD:
This morning, the NYPD Emergency Services Unit rescued a dog stuck in
grating on the Roosevelt Island Bridge. Do you have any more info on what
happened? Was the dog with it's owner, lost or a stray? What type of dog?
Do you have a picture of the dog rescue? Was traffic disrupted - how long?
3.
Authorization to Approve Amendment
of Lease with Riverwalk 8 Housing Development Fund Corporation and Riverwalk
8, LLC for Southtown Building #8 (Board Action Required)
... The Proposed Budget FY 2021‐22 projects capital improvements in the amount
of $11,910,000, a decrease of $27,882,000 over the Approved Budget FY 2020‐21
amount of $39,791,000....
... RIOC’s Proposed Budget FY 2021‐22 projects revenues of
$32,809,000, a decrease of $2,766,000 or 7.78% over the Approved Budget FY
2020‐21 amount of $35,575,000....
.... Commercial rents are projected to increase by $46,000 or 2.78% due to
contractual escalations.
Tramway revenues are projected to remain at same level as the Approved
Budget FY 2020‐21....
... For grant and community support, the Proposed Budget FY 2021‐22 includes
an extraordinary expense of $1,340,110, an increase of $172,519 over the
Approved Budget FY 2020‐21 amount of $1,167,591. This is mainly due to
increased costs for community service and the allocation of youth center
personnel cost to support such service....
RIOC attributes most of the decrease in capital improvement spending to the
completion of various projects, rescheduling of Sportspark renovation to
fiscal year 2022-23 and the postponement of work on Dayspring Church and
Motorgate Plaza/Atrium (RIOC Budget Page 1). Not sure what work on Dayspring Church was scheduled since it is now The
Sanctuary, a private Events Space/future restaurant.
The proposed budget does not address impact of Coronavirus Pandemic on
commercial rent and Tramway revenue.
Another item on RIOC Board Agenda for tomorrow is an
Amendment to Riverwalk Building 8 Ground Lease
which releases the developer, Hudson Related (Tenant), from constructing a
Comfort Station at Firefighters Field and:
... instead have Tenant pay RIOC the sum of $1,000,000 in full satisfaction of
its obligation under the Building 8 Lease with respect to the Comfort Station
Work, so that RIOC will have those funds available for other construction
projects on Roosevelt Island.
Reaction from Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy and Roosevelt Island Residents Association President Rossana Ceruzzi.
From Ms Berdy, deliberately all in CAPS:
YOU ARE HOISTING FRAUD ON THE ISLAND AGAIN. MEETINGS WITH NO PUBLIC INPUT ARE A SHAM
TEARING DOWN OUR CHERRY TREES TO BUILD A BIKE RAMP IS A JOKE. WE HAVE SEEN BIKERS DO NOT GIVE A DARN ABOUT SAFETY AND WILL STILL GO DOWN THE HELIX!!
WE GET A FEW DOZEN BIKERS ON A WEEKEND. THERE IS NO GROUNDSWELL OF BIKE RIDERS HERE.
LOOSING ANOTHER GREEN AREA IS SHOWING THE CONSTANT REMOVAL OF GREEN FOR CEMENT AND UN-NECESSARY PROJECTS..
WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANY RENDERING OF PLANS IN A YEAR, PRINCE SHAH...WHERE ARE THE PLANS IN A PUBLCI PLACE?
WE DEPERATELY NEED BATHROOMS AT FIREFIGHTERS FIELD. THE ONE BATHROOM AT THE TRAM CANNOT SERVICE THE DOZENS OF TOURIST AND ATLETES WHO NEED TO RELIEVE THEMSELVES. I ASSUME RIOC'S RESPONSE IS TO USE THE TREES AS TOILETS.
THIS PANDEMIC HAS LEAD TO AN EPIDEMIC OF BAD DECISIONS BY RIOC.
OUR PUBLIC SAFETY LEADERSHIP IS M.I.A.
WE HAVE NEW, INEXPERIENCED OFFICERS, WHO KNOW LITTLE OF THE ISLAND AND HAVE NOT BEEN TAUGHT HOW TO DEAL WITH THE PUBLIC. THEY ARE BODIES, BUT NO SOUL FOR THE JOBS......ROBO-OFFICERS. WHERE IS TRAINING AND INTERPERSONAL INSTRUCTION KEVIN?
SHELTON-
TIME TO BE OPEN AND HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THE FAUX-MEETINGS. TIME TO TAKE OFF YOUR MASKS AND BE OPEN AND PUBLIC.
From Ms Ceruzzi:
This is an open statement expressing opposition to the “Bike ramp” as listed in the 12/29/20 RIOC Board of Directors Agenda under “New Business”.
While it is always important to treat the community with respect, it is very important to do so when controversial plans are being discussed. This project it's yet another rush through job that has NOT been presented to the community for consideration and when residents feel ignored or pushed around, dialogue becomes difficult. This is another project that will chop down trees in exchange for a bike ramp. Do we have any alternatives? What is the purpose of it? Who will it serve? Why has the escalator been out of service for over a decade? Escalators that would provide service to seniors, disabled and alleviate the congestion on the elevators at Motorgate?
Most importantly the idea that RIOC is holding Board meetings where the public or Island representatives cannot speak up is unacceptable. Why were the public sessions stopped?
How can the community participate in the formulation of plans if no public session is held?
The pandemic should not be used as "the" excuse not to have public sessions in fact, Elected Officials have been holding Town Halls via Zoom platform regularly.
RIOC needs to be accountable to the community and the bottom line is that communicating with the community is a crucial attribute for the successful outcome of any venture.
We urge RIOC to reconsider this plan.
UPDATE 6:30 PM:
The Bike Ramp authorization was removed from RIOC Board Agenda tonight for further study.
UPDATE 9:30 PM - The RIOC Budget and Riverwalk 8 Lease Amendment were approved. Firefighters Field comfort station deferred.
$1 million allocated for Comfort Station to be used by RIOC for "Health & Safety" projects instesd. RIOC staff did not say what are Health and Safety projects and none of the Board Directors asked.
UPDATE 12/30 - Here's video of the RIOC Board discussion about the proposed Motorgate Bike Ramp.
Nisi Kitchen is
currently open for delivery and take out orders only since indoor dining has
been ended due to the Coroanavirus Pandemic. Here's the
menu.
Across the East River from Roosevelt Island, on Long Island City waterfront,
is an outdoor digital clock counting the days remaining until the end of the
President Donald Trump nightmare.
Today the clock displayed only 24 days left until end of Trump administration
seen from the Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park.
A large digital clock on the Long Island City waterfront makes it clear that
President Donald Trump’s days are numbered. The clock located by Anable Basin
has been counting down the days until Trump’s term in office comes to an
end–and for many residents that day can’t come soon enough. The timepiece was
put up on the front of Sound River Studios, located at 4-40 44th Dr., more
than three years ago by Matthew Barney, who operates out of the building,
along with fellow artists such as Brandon Stosuy....
Despite the Coronavirus Pandemic this year, hope you are having a peaceful and
enjoyable day, unlike the
Ramones
version of a Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
While we continue to follow social distancing and align our operations with
New York Forward guidance, we also continue to incrementally increase the
number of passengers permitted on the Tram. Tram capacity will increase on
Sunday, November 1st, from 20 to 35 passengers per cabin, and we will
continue to assess and gradually increase in phases.
We understand the need for this mode of transportation, however, the health
and safety of our riders and operators are our priority. We appreciate your
cooperation.
Due to an elevator service outage at the Manhattan Tram Station, the RIOC Red Bus will provide special shuttle service to and from Manhattan for those with limited mobility. Schedule information is below:
ROOSEVELT ISLAND TO MANHATTAN
Departs hourly from the Tramway, making all Northbound local stops to Capobianco Field (opposite PS/IS 217). The first trip will depart at 11 AM. Last trip will be at 7 PM.
MANHATTAN TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND
Departs on the half hour from the Southwest side of 2nd Avenue, between 58th & 59th Street and will make all Southbound local bus stops (starting with 591 Main Street) to the Tramway. The last trip will depart Manhattan at 7:30 PM.
Please note, that there is no shuttle bus service from 3 PM – 4 PM daily.
The Tram Shuttle will run seven days a week until further notice.
Reports are coming in of Santa Claus sightings from all around the world. You
can even follow Santa moment by moment as he travels around the world with the
aid of Norad's Santa Tracker.
Santa will arrive on Roosevelt Island in a few hours. When he does, it may be
on his specially designed, Reindeer powered, Roosevelt Island Tram Cabin sled.
Roosevelt Island Tram Reindeer Cards from
Marty Atkins
We are planning a family trip to Kenya during the Christmas and New Years
Holidays to be with our son John who is there with our church drilling wells
for people who live out in the villages. (2 year term).
We will be ... back Saturday January 9 at the Roosevelt Island Farmers
Market.
But you still can order your favorite soup online  from Farmers Market vendor the
Roosevelt Island Soup Lady.
Also, the Roosevelt Island Food Scrap Drop Off Site will be open both
Saturdays that the Farmers Market is closed on December 26 and January 2.
According to the
Haki Compost Collective:
While the Roosevelt Island farmers market will be closed the next two
weekends, food scrap collection continues! Bundle up and stop by the food
scrap drop-off site during our normal hours of 9am to 2pm.
Long lines at the Roosevelt Island Tram this afternoon were caused by subway riders stranded on Roosevelt Island because of signal problems at the Roosevelt Island F train subway station.
It has now been over TWENTY minutes. Still 3 dozen people stranded by @NYCTSubway at Roosevelt Island. MTA has left us trapped here with no direction, no communication, and no options. Can someone please help? @andrewsiff4NY WHY DO THEY GET AWAY WITH THIS INCOMPETENCE ??
Hello, we're having signal problems at Roosevelt Island, and there are reports of unauthorized people on the tracks. For safety, we have removed power until we can confirm that no one is still on the track. Sorry for this delay, and we hope to have trains moving soon. ^WD
Some tried the Roosevelt Island Tram which caused long lines due to the 30 passenger social distancing limitations per cabin. Reports from residents waiting on line indicate only 1 Tram Cabin was initially operating until the lines grew so long that the second tram cabin was put in service.
Hi Lilly. F Subway trains have resumed making regular station stops in both directions after our crews corrected a signal problem at Roosevelt Island.^DJP
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.
