Roosevelt Island 9/11 Remembrance Garden Tree And Memorial Plaque At Good Shepherd Plaza In Neglected Condition, RIOC President Says It Will Be Addressed by Grounds Team This Weekend

A Roosevelt Island resident asked this morning:

Wondering if you’ve heard anything from RIOC — or anyone else — about any plans for any remembrances tomorrow. 

Despite a few mid-summer emails to RIOC and my showing the grounds folks who did the cleanup of the landscape behind the Chapel, as of the other day, our 9/11 plaque remains covered by overgrown greens.

The Roosevelt Island 9/11 Remembrance Garden seen today at Good Shepherd Plaza.

The Memorial Plaque with names of residents and FDNY Roosevelt Island based Firefighters who died that day is covered by overgrown grass brush.

The pictures of 9/11 Memorial Tree and Plaque were posted on Roosevelt Islander Instagram Page earlier today. One resident commented: 

I mean what would it take for someone ….. ANYONE …. To trim the grass with some scissors…. Rather than taking a picture to talk about it.

If I was on the island, I’d do it myself.

Although RIOC “runs” the Island…. Crap like this is ridiculous on both ends.

Anyone out of the thousands who live here… and passed by the tree and noticed… could have trimmed the grass out of respect. Instead of passing it on to RIOC.

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Shelton Haynes responded to the Instagram post: 

 ... This area is slated to be addressed by our grounds team this weekend. We ask residents to please do not cut the grass. Everything should look good before anyone pays tribute tomorrow.

The Roosevelt Island 9/11 Memorial Plaque when not covered by overgrown brush looks like this.

Roosevelt Islanders who died on 9/11 are:

Ed Beyea,
Anthony J. Fallone,
Taimour Khan,
Scott Larsen,
Kevin J. Smith and the firefighters who were based on Roosevelt Island
Deputy Chief Ray Downey,
Deputy Chief Charlie Kasper,
Battalion Chief John Moran, and
Battalion Chief John Paolillo.

Last year, a group of Roosevelt Island residents gathered together at the 9/11 Memorial Tree to remember our community members who died that day.

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UPDATE 9/11 - The Roosevelt Island 9/11 Remembrance Garden Tree 

and Memorial Plaque area 

was cleaned up this morning by RIOC. 

A resident walking by the area this morning said:

It looks very lovely.

Message from @RIOCCEO Shelton J. Haynes:

Today marks the 21st anniversary of September 11, 2001, a day that forever changed our state and our country.

We remember the 2,977 innocent lives, including Roosevelt Islanders that perished.

May we #NeverForget. pic.twitter.com/jmWI2i7ICh

— RIOC NYS (@RIOCny) September 11, 2022

Wearing A Mask Is Encouraged But Now Optional On The Roosevelt Island Tram And Red Bus Says RIOC - Masks Optional On NY State Public Transportation Say Governor Kathy Hochul

NY State Governor Kathy Hochul announced last Wednesday: 

 ... masking will now be optional in multiple settings where they were previously required, including on public transportation, in for-hire vehicles, at airports, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, and detention centers. Masks will continue to be required at adult care and health care facilities regulated by the state Department of Health, and in clinical settings regulated by the Office of Mental Health, Office of Addiction Services and Supports, and Office for People With Developmental Disabilities.

Starting today, masks will be optional in some places where they had previously been required, including on mass transit. pic.twitter.com/5zTT4uRB6h

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) September 7, 2022

Beginning today, masks are encouraged but optional on @NYCTSubway, @NYCTBus, @LIRR and @MetroNorth. pic.twitter.com/BMOea8nE67

— MTA (@MTA) September 7, 2022

A Roosevelt Island resident hopes:

Would be nice if RIOC gets the messaging right as this unfolds AND continues to offer masks on Red Buses & Tram if folks want them. 

Personally— I think this is terrible. But I’ll continue to wear one in close situations...

Today the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) tweeted.

Effective immediately, masks will be optional on the Roosevelt Island tram and bus.

While wearing a mask is encouraged, it is your choice. Let's respect each other's decisions. pic.twitter.com/2Y8YXm4SQm

— RIOC NYS (@RIOCny) September 9, 2022

You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Gallery RIVAA Opening Reception For New 3 Solos Exhibition Saturday September 10 - Meet 2 Photographers Anne Marie Dannenberg, Piotr Roland Olszweski And 1 Sculptor Victoria Thorson

According to Roosevelt Island Gallery RIVAA (527 Main Street): 

Photographer Piotr Olszewski, photographer Anne-Marie Dannenberg and Sculptor Victoria Thorson are pleased to invite you to the opening of their Three Solos exhibition at RIVAA Gallery on Saturday, September 10, from 5 to 8 PM.

Meet Roosevelt Roosevelt Island resident and sculptor Victoria Thorson who is one of the artists showing at the Three Solos exhibition. I spoke with her during the August 26-28 Gallery RIVAA Affordable Art Weekend.

 

As reported earlier this summer, RIVAA's new leadership under President Sandra Gavelyte started a Go Fund Me campaign seeking to raise $500 Thousand for renovation of their premises.

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Roosevelt Island F Train Subway Station Queens Bound Platform Escalators Out Of Service Through Saturday And No Elevator Service Too - Big Problem For Disabled, Parents With Strollers And People With Mobility Issues

Earlier this afternoon, a resident reported both 

Roosevelt Island F Train Subway Station Queens bound platform escalators 

were out of service. According to the Tipster:

Just got off the Queens bound F train and they are repairing both up escalators leading off the platform. The Escalators after going up a level work. And there is no elevator in service there either, due to elevator replacement. A regrettable situation given the proportion of disabled residents, parents with strollers, and individuals with mobility issues.

A sign posted at the escalators as well as the MTA Elevator and Escalator Status web page noted both escalators are estimated to return to service

 on Saturday, September 10.

It's a bad time for the Queens bound platform escalators to be broken because the Queens bound platform elevator is being replaced and currently out of service

through

November 2022.

Hopefully the escalators will be repaired by Saturday, if not sooner.

Roosevelt Island Residents Invited To Celebrate Graduate Hotel Sweet Dreams Society Artist Geneva Bernal's End Of Residency Exhibition Friday September 9 - Come See 2 New Sculptures And Hang With Her Geese

An invitation to Roosevelt Island residents from the Graduate Hotel:

We’re celebrating the end-of-residency of our Sweet Dreams Society artist, Geneva Bernal. Geneva has created two sculptures that will be placed in our lobby and viewable for all of the Islanders and public to see. This event is FREE and open to the public.

Date – Friday, September 9 

Time – 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. 

Location – Lobby

About - Pulling from Roosevelt Island’s fluid history and local fauna, Sanctuary explores the gradual development of finding home in a new place and what it means to each of us. Hosted in the lobby, this viewing party will feature Geneva's latest sculptures.

More information.

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A post shared by Geneva Bernal (@geneva.bernal)

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A post shared by Geneva Bernal (@geneva.bernal)

According to the Graduate Sweet Dreams Society:

We’re helping emerging artists turn their dreams into reality. Led by Grammy Award-winning DJ White Shadow (a.k.a. Paul Blair) and Graduate Hotels®️, the Graduate Sweet Dreams Society is an immersive artist-in-residence program and creative community, hosted at hotels across the country

Update On Roosevelt Island Motorgate Garage Parking Rate Increase - RIOC President Says Operator Sent Out Inaccurate Notice, Monthly Price Will Not Double But Will Increase By $25 For Residents, $76 For Non Residents

Reported last Wednesday August 31 of a Roosevelt Island resident receiving an email from the operator of the Motorgate Garage 

about a doubling of the monthly resident parking fee to $350.

Many Roosevelt Island residents who are monthly Motorgate Garage customers asked questions similar to this resident:

Did you find out if residents are getting garage price hike? Everyone is freaking out.

This afternoon, Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) President Shelton Haynes sent out a letter about the Motorgate parking rate increases. According to Mr Haynes:

I understand some misinformation has spread concerning the monthly parking rates at the Motorgate Garage located at 688 Main Street New York, NY 10044. Please allow me to clarify what happened and give you the facts.

Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) and Manhattan Park (an entity with a share of the garage) have contracted a vendor, SP Plus, to oversee the garage operations. Subsequently, SP Plus has sent out an inaccurate notice to monthly parking permit holders advising of rate increases. RIOC will take action to correct the error by the vendor. However, I want to address your concerns regarding the mentioned increases within the notice.

For over 14 years, the rates have remained flat for all permit holders while area parking garage prices have continued to soar.

While still achieving our goal of providing the best quality of life possible and keeping it affordable – RIOC will be increasing resident monthly parking permit fees for the first time in over a decade by $25 per month. In comparison, non-resident fees will increase by $76.03 per month.

The improvements and elevated services will prove to be immeasurable.

The new rates will be going into effect November 14, 2022 for resident permit holders and non-resident permit holders. Working together, we will continue to spotlight the beauty of Roosevelt Island while being a model for other communities in New York State to follow.

For more information or concerns, please contact SP Plus at 1-800-245-4714. 

Here's the letter.

Tipster Reports 7-10 NYPD Plain Clothes Officers/Detectives In Two Unmarked Cars Arrest Man Last Friday Night On Roosevelt Island Main Street - RIOC Says Man Charged With 8 Counts Of Drug Trafficking

A Roosevelt Island Tipster observed NYPD activity last Friday night, September 2, on Main Street in front of the Island House building.

Picture Was Taken Today,Not At Time Of Arrest

According to the Tipster:

Between 630-7pm. about 7-10 plain clothes officers or detectives wearing vests labeled NYPD pulled up quickly in at least 2 unmarked vehicles. Targeted one guy in front of Bread & Butter. Others near him didn't react, everyone complied easily. Took one guy into custody without incident. Whole thing was sudden but over in about 5 minutes. 

According to newly hired Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Assistant Vice President Of Communications Akeem Jamal: 

1 person charged with 8 counts of drug trafficking per NYPD.

No information about this incident available from the NYPD Press Office at this time.