2024 Macy's July 4 Fireworks Celebration Moving From East River To The Hudson River, No View From Roosevelt Island This Year - Will You Miss Them?

On April 30, Macy's announced that their annual July 4 fireworks celebration will take place on Hudson River

after being on the East River for the last 10 years. According to Macy's April 30 press release:

On Thursday, July 4th, Macy’s will launch the annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks spectacle across the Hudson River, illuminating the New York City skyline through dazzling displays and pyrotechnics. Live spectators and viewers across the nation will be treated to a one-of-a-kind show featuring vibrant colors, shapes, light and sound. This year’s display will feature thousands of shells and an array of effects from barges positioned along the Hudson River with multiple viewing opportunities in Manhattan between West 14th and West 34th Streets and in New Jersey.

“This year’s Macy’s 4th of Fireworks display will launch an inspiring spectacle of patriotic color, light and sound from the Hudson River for the first time in more than a decade....

The East River Macy's July 4 Fireworks gave Roosevelt Island residents fantastic views of the fireworks 

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but also brought large crowds of visitors.

In recent years, after the fireworks ended it took about 40 minutes for the large crowds to safely leave Roosevelt Island by Tram or subway under the watchful eye of the NYPD and Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department.

There was also the annual frustration with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) fireworks ticket lottery for viewing at FDR Four Freedoms Park running out of tickets in less than 5 minutes.

RIOC reported today:

Dear Roosevelt Island Community:

It was announced last week that this year’s Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Show will be returning to the Hudson River for the first time since 2013.

Due to this change, Four Freedoms State Park will NOT be hosting their regular ticketed fireworks event this year, as the fireworks will not be visible from this location. RIOC will therefore not be running a ticket lottery or sending out any communications regarding a ticketed July 4th event to the community.

While we still expect higher than average traffic to the island on July 4th, we do not anticipate the numbers to reach what we typically see when the fireworks celebration is hosted on the East River.

Thank you and enjoy the warm spring/summer months!

-RIOC Executive Team

A long time Roosevelt Island resident reacted to the news of Macy's Fireworks moving this year from the East River to the Hudson this way:

Happy Friday!

And,

Yipee!!

I, for one, will not miss this one bit. But I’m sure many others will.

No Roosevelt Island F Train Service From Manhattan This Weekend Due To 63rd Street Tunnel Rehab Project Close Out Items - Plan For Long Roosevelt Island Manhattan Tram Station Lines

According to the MTA, there will be no Roosevelt Island F Train service from Manhattan this weekend due to:

63 St Project close-out Items

Plan accordingly for long lines at the Roosevelt Island Tram Manhattan Station.

The 63rd Street Tunnel Rehab Project began August 28, 2023, replacing regular F Train service with a shuttle service. Regular Roosevelt Island F Train service resumed April 1, 2024.

NBC Nightly News Feature Story Tonight On Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park SUGi Pocket Healing Forest Planted Last Month - Interview With Local Resident And iDig2Learn Founder Christina Delfico

NBC Nightly News featured local Roosevelt Island resident and iDig2Learn founder Christina Delfico in a story this evening about the Southpoint Park SUGi Pocket Healing Forest that was planted Saturday April 6.

Watch the story.

More info on the Roosevelt Island Healing Forest at the SUGi web site.

Here's my interview with Ms Delfico and SUGi Project Founder Elise Van Middelem during the April 6, 2024 planting.

And you can join iDig2Learn at the May 19 Forest Care Day.

Click here to RSVP.

Sponsored Post - You're Invited To A Free Thought Provoking Panel Discussion On The History, Impact and Ongoing Challenges Surrounding Banned Books In The U.S. At The Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park May 16 - Sign Up Now To Secure Your Seat

The Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park is hosting:

... a free thought-provoking May 16 panel discussion on the history, impact and ongoing challenges surrounding banned books in the U.S.

According to the FDR Four Freedom Park:

Beyond the Ban: Exploring the Landscape of Banned Books

Thursday, May 16 · 5 - 7pm

Join us for a lively discussion on controversial books that have been banned or challenged throughout history.

Come join us at Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park for a thought-provoking discussion on banned books. Moderated by renowned journalist and editor Katrina vanden Heuvel, our panel of experts will delve into the controversial world of literature that has been censored or challenged throughout history. Discover the stories behind these banned books and explore the importance of freedom of expression. Don't miss out on this enlightening event!

Thank you to NYS OPRHP and NYS Natural Heritage Trust for the support for this free public program.

Make sure to register here to secure your spot.

Here's more on the fight over banned books in the U.S.

Register here for your seat at the May 16 FDR Four Freedoms Park Beyond the Ban: Exploring the Landscape of Banned Books panel discussion.

Watch Video Of RIOC Interim Leadership Interview With CB 8 Roosevelt Island Committee Chair Revealing "What It Takes To Run Roosevelt Island" - Informative Discussion Of Governance, Master Lease, Tram Overcrowding, Red Bus Delays, Tourism, Day To Day Repairs & More

Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Committee Chair Paul Krikler moderated a fascinating and informative interview with Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Deputy General Counsel and member of the RIOC Interim Leadership Team Gerrald Ellis last night.

Mr Ellis began his presentation with a discussion of:

What It Takes To Run Roosevelt Island, 

summarized in the slides below.

Mr Ellis noted that Roosevelt Island:

... is entirely self-financed—we do not receive any supportive funding from the state. 

The majority of our funding comes from our ground rent and commercial leases.

Mr Ellis took comments and questions from Mr Krikler and other Roosevelt Island residents. 

I asked Mr Ellis:

 What are the 3 or 4 most important things on your plate right now?

Mr Ellis answered:

... That's a tough question. Obviously this interim situation is very difficult.... There are all kinds of challenges that just flow from that alone. That's at the top of my list ....  There are certain hiring decisions that we cannot or should not make while we're in this interim position. There are big projects that we can't explore or don't want to explore while we're in in this position. Basic day-to-day repairs we're obviously doing and they are big priorities for us.... 

... The Master Lease discussions are a major priority right now... An extension of the Master Lease. We have had conversations with the City of New York about this but we can't really make progress on those discussions or on that negotiation until we have more certainty internally about our own governance structure, about our own direction. There are internal/external all sorts of things that flow from that one issue that we we don't yet have permanent leadership...

... We have our next board meeting on the 14th. Maybe there's going to be some movement there. I'm optimistic but I don't know and I've learned not to get ahead of myself in hoping or in predicting that anything might or might not happen at a board meeting....

Mr Ellis also discussed problems with the Red Bus delays, overcrowding on the Roosevelt Island Tram and expressed a willingness to explore models from other cities that are attempting to manage problems caused by tourist overcrowding.

He reported that in a few weeks there will be a live traffic camera feed from both the Manhattan and Roosevelt Island Tram stations available for residents to see how large those line are so you can make a decision about using the Tram or the subway. Another improvement coming this summer is the Red Bus will have a location tracking system installed so that riders will know when it will be at any stop. 

Here's the full discussion from beginning to end. I highly recommend watching the entire video if you are interested in Roosevelt Island issues and governance.

Great job by Mr Krikler and Mr Ellis. This type of conversation and Roosevelt Island community engagement would not have happened under the prior RIOC administration.

CB 8 Roosevelt Island committee meetings are scheduled for the first Monday of the month. The next meeting will be on June 3 and will be a discussion will Mr Ellis about the Roosevelt Island Master Lease extension.

You're invited to attend and participate.

Former Resident Pays Tribute To His Deceased Dog Petey With A Farewell Tour Sprinkling His Ashes At Special Roosevelt Island Spots They Both Loved

Scott Piro is a former Roosevelt Island resident who when he lived here was very active advocating on behalf of local dog owners, traffic safety issues and participating in various community events. Mr Piro could often be seen walking around Roosevelt Island with his beloved dog Petey. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Petey Piro (@peteypiro)

Mr Piro moved from Roosevelt Island several years ago but stays in touch with his Roosevelt Island friends.

Mr Piro returned last week to Roosevelt Island on a farewell tour to pay tribute to the deceased Petey by sprinkling some of the dog's ashes at the special Roosevelt Island locations they shared.

Follow along on Petey's Farewell Tribute with Mr Piro and friends.
 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Petey Piro (@peteypiro)

Mr Piro and other dog owners requested the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) name a future Dog Run for Petey during an October 17, 2019 Board of Directors Meeting.

NYC Health & Hospitals Corp Proposes Flood Mitigation Berm Surrounding Roosevelt Island Coler Hospital During May 2 Community Visioning Workshop - Watch Video Of Full Presentation, Q&A With Residents And Take The Online Project Input Survey

Representatives from the NYC Health & Hospitals Corp (H+H)) presented a plan for a proposed flood mitigation berm to surround Coler Hospital 

and answered questions from residents at a May 2 Roosevelt Island community visioning workshop.

According to H+H:

... Currently, H+H is in the pre-design phase for a new perimeter hazard mitigation system at NYC H+H/Coler. This mitigation system will create a berm barrier, provide protection for up to a 500-year coastal flood event, and protect the long-term care facility from major storm events....

Here's the May 2 presentation

 

and more info from NYC Health & Hospitals Corp about the Coler Coastal Resiliency Project.

Click this Project Survey link to give your thoughts and ideas about developing the space around Coler.