Continuing on the bicycle theme from earlier today, wouldn't it be great if a bike sharing system was established on Roosevelt Island like the one in Montreal described in video above as well as many other cities?
Are you wondering what bike sharing is all about? It's a simple concept. According to The Bike Sharing Blog, Bike Sharing is a:
short-term bicycle rental available at a network of unattended locations;
RIOC Director Jonathan Kalkin has been working to bring Bicycle Sharing to Roosevelt Island for some time. Yesterday, Mr Kalkin sends in this link to Gizmodo article on Bike Sharing recently started in Denver by B-Cycle. From Gizmodo
... How does it work? Well, there are B-cycle stations all around Denver. Once you have an account, you can grab a bike from any of them. When you're done, you can then drop it off at any other station. The GPS unit inside the bike (there's no nav screen, it's hidden inside the bike itself) tracks your route and lets you check it out online when you're signed in...
and:
...They're currently finishing the details on the next batch of cities, although they're mum on what those cities will be. You can vote for your city on their site if you want to try to get it near you.
(I was told that in order to bring the system to NYC, they need a whole lot of grassroots support...
...In Denver, B-cycle will be financed by ads and user subscriptions, with annual memberships priced at $65. Members get RFID cards that they can use to to check out bicycles at individual docks with a wave of the hand. The first 30 minutes of each ride are free, with each additional hour priced at one dollar...
Mr. Kalkin writes:
As you know the Columbia study (Page 38-41), I commissioned and the Hunter (Page 38-40) study both recommended Bike Sharing. It is a great idea for the island and NYC. I also approached a member of Community Board 8 about this idea. This company is having a vote competition to see what area in the country is interested. I posted it on Twitter and Facebook and we are currently ranked 7th in the US now. I would like to approach them and it would be helpful if your readers could put a vote for 10044 in and make sure they pick the Roosevelt Island, NY (full spelling) option. (UPDATE 8:16 PM - I just realized we were ranked 7th in the state at the time, not the US.)
During the April meeting of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Meeting a presentation (Copy Below) was made by the leader of a group of students from the Cornell Graduate Program In Landscape Design. The students are participating in a project initiated by Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. (RIOC) Director Jonathan Kalkin to help redesign Roosevelt Island's green spaces and pathways.
After several weeks of exploring Roosevelt Island, meeting with RIOC staff, RIRA members and other Roosevelt Island community leaders a preliminary plan was presented by the Cornell Landscaping team to the RIRA Common Council at the April meeting. The goal of the presentation was to receive comments, criticism and other feedback from RIRA members that the Cornell Landscape team can incorporate in a final Roosevelt Island Landscaping plan to be presented at the May RIRA meeting.
The initial plan presented at the April meeting envisions a 3 Phase Agenda including (Page 17 of the Presentation):
Phase One: Safe, ADA-compliant pedestrian circulation & community gardening
* Four greenways: four paths to improve existing pedestrian pathways
* Temporary greenhouse & nursery for container plants: partnership between residents, schools, & hospital for use
Phase Two: Expansion of Community Gardens and Public Plazas
* Construction of hardscapedplazas, community garden, and landscaping areas
Phase Three: Green Energy Projects
* Informed decisions about site-appropriate sources for energy– Informed decisions about site-appropriate sources for energy
* Agreement with power company on an energy cost reduction program for the whole island
* Installation of green energy projects
Among their proposals are (page 15)
Creating Plazas: Unify areas that contain several disconnected public spaces, using hardscaped, tree-lined plazas that can be used for performances, community events, and educational programs.
Redesigning for existing green spaces: Extend community gardens into Redesigning for existing green spaces: Extend community gardens into permanent locations; if a location is available temporarily, a greenhouse and nursery for container plants can be set up for residential, educational, and therapeutic use. Utilize disused spaces for stormwater-managing landscapes and/or native plant educational gardens.
The Cornell Group is seeking any additional feedback on their proposals (Page 19).
Do you have any questions about this preliminary plan? Are there any features of it that are especially exciting, or especially worrisome?
What do you feel are the best things about living on Roosevelt Island? What are the worst things about living here?
Any other comments? Things we have overlooked? Ideas you have for the island’s landscapes?
Click To Enlarge Image and tell your favorite Roosevelt Island places you like and dislike.
Remember these are preliminary proposals and a final plan will be presented at the RIRA May Meeting. Of course, none of these proposals are binding upon RIOC but are helpful suggestions.
Over the course of the past 10 months the students in the Master's of Urban Planning program at Hunter College have been working on their final studio projects. On Thursday, May 14, an event is planned to acknowledge the work of one studio with a presentation of their final report to elected officials.
AccessRI is an urban planning studio commissioned by New York State Senator Jose M. Serrano to conduct an accessibility study for Roosevelt Island.
"My office has been working closely with the studio group from Hunter College, and we are proud to see them present the fruits of their labor," said Senator Serrano. "It really is an inspiration to see such a talented group of urban planners tackle the issues that most concern residents of Roosevelt Island, everything from accessibility to governance."
The goal of the studio is to identify and address the key access issues of the Roosevelt Island community in a community-based plan. The accessibility plan will address transportation on and off the island, but will also consider the community's access to government, health, emergency services, retail and recreation.
The collaborative studio is made up of ten (10) graduate students from the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning at Hunter College under the guidance of Professor Laxmi Ramasubramanian, M.Arch, MCP, PhD. The students widened their definition of accessibility to include issues verbalized by the community through numerous public meetings, focus groups and interviews. The revised scope includes issues of access to a viable retail corridor, effective governance, and public spaces for residents of Roosevelt Island of all abilities.
Over the course of the semesters, students hosted community forums and open houses to meet with the Roosevelt Island community. They attended countless meetings of various organizations on the island. Their outreach efforts specifically targeted three special populations on the island: seniors, youth and differently-abled residents. They launched a blog to remain in contact with the community, organized an open review of their recommendations, and hosted a youth planning charette with the island's Girl Scout Troup. As part of their continued engagement strategy, the students set up an Advisory Committee of community stakeholders to guide the planning process. Members of this community will be invited to attend the event on May 14.
"This is a fantastic way to show those who may not be familiar with Roosevelt island just what it has to offer, and to show those who work and live on the island what it's capable of offering," said Serrano.
The event will be held on May 14, 2009 at 11am in the President's Conference Room at Hunter College, 17th Floor of Hunter's East Building.
For more information, please check out the studio blog at accessri.blogspot.com. Pictures from the most recent events and information about the plan are updated regularly.
Image of Potential Roosevelt Island Bike Sharing Station from Access RI
The Hunter College Access RI Team studying transportation, including bike sharing, and other related Roosevelt Island issues of concern will be presenting their draft report to the Roosevelt Island community for review and comment on Tuesday March 31 and Saturday April 4. From Access RI:
AccessRI will be presenting a draft of our accessibility study for community review. We invite you to participate in this discussion about our recommendations for the island.
You will have two chances to participate:
Tuesday, March 31 at the RI Senior Center from 7-9pm or Saturday, April 4 at the RI Senior Center from 10am-noon
As always we look forward to your questions and comments!
The Senior Center is at 546 Main Street.
What are some of the issues addressed in the Access RI study? Take a look at the Comment Map prepared at their community Open House last December.
The Columbia University Urban Planning students should be presenting their study soon as well. It looks like Roosevelt Island is becoming a laboratory for future urban planners.
Image of Roosevelt Island Comment Map from Access RI
The Hunter College Access RI team studying Roosevelt Island created this very cool map illustrating some of the issues concerning Roosevelt Island residents as expressed during the Open House conducted last December. Click on the image above to be able to view the full map.
Comments Placed on Roosevelt Island Map During Access RI Open House
Comments include among many others:
Affordable Housing
Spruce Up Main Street
No FDR Park
Too Much Car Traffic
Water Kayak Access
Dedicated Bike Lane
Sewage problem at Westview and Manhattan Park Pool
Love Greenmarket - Hate Gristedes
Giant Bees in Summertime
Black Mold
Picnic Areas Packed with non RI residents
Get Rid of Feral Cats
Sidewalk enforcement of scooter kids
I like it out here (Lighthouse Park)
Access RI is conduction an online survey of Roosevelt Island residents.
Tired of waiting for the Subway? Concerned about the quality of life on Roosevelt Island? Worried about the Tram closing? Satisfied with the shopping on Roosevelt Island?
Announcing the release of the Roosevelt Island Community Survey!
The survey covers many aspects of life on Roosevelt Island including housing, healthcare, transportation, recreation, retail and public safety. The purpose of the survey is to inform an accessibility plan that will address the major issues identified by the community.
Please participate by taking a few minutes to answer the survey questions.
RIOC's Community Relations Specialist Erica Wilder sends the message below to all members of the Roosevelt Island community regarding a study and Town Hall Meeting on Roosevelt Island Transportation Alternatives undertaken by the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning. The Town Hall Meeting will take place on Thursday night (7:15 PM) January 22 at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street) All forms of Roosevelt Island transportation options will be addressed including the subway, tram, cars, Red Bus, Ferries and maybe even some that have not been considered yet.
Although being flung across the East River looks like fun, I don't think that The Roosevelt Island Sling Shot is ready for public use - at least not yet!
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY CITY PLANNING PROGRAM TO LEAD AN ANALYSIS OF TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES FOR ROOSEVELT ISLAND
As Roosevelt Island residents know all too well, the community has evolved during the past 40 years from the much heralded and highly innovative “new town in town” concept of the 1960’s. Formative concepts such as a “traffic free” environment and battery operated “mini buses” have given way to practicalities, budget realities and a growing population. A fresh look is needed at the impact of present and future growth.
The Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture’s Urban Planning program will focus on recommendations to improve access within, to and from the Island by looking at all the various transportation modes. Improving pedestrian and bicycle access will be evaluated especially since an early aspect of the design of Roosevelt Island was to have an auto free community. Journey to work access will be evaluated by looking at all available and potential modes: bus, tram, subway, vehicular circulation, potential ferry and even perhaps new and innovative approaches that are not yet even on the radar screen.
Eleven students led by Dr. Floyd Lapp, FAICP, an adjunct professor of planning at Columbia, will work on the project starting now and into the first half of May. Dr. Lapp, an urban planning practitioner with 45 years experience, asserts that this will not be just an academic exercise. The team will reach out to the community and appropriate agencies and organizations seeking realistic and practical solutions. Toward that end, a community meeting will be held in the Good Shepherd Community Center on Thursday, January 22, at 7:15 to describe the proposed project in greater detail and seek suggestions from those persons who live and work on Roosevelt Island. “If this project is to be a success, community participation is essential from the start and throughout the process,” Lapp said. A final report will be presented to the client, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, in May. This Columbia Graduate School of Architecture Urban Planning transportation initiative arose as a result of discussions with RIOC resident Board Member, Jonathan Kalkin.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION, INVITES YOU TO A COMMUNITY MEETING TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES WITHIN, TO AND FROM THE ISLAND TO EASE CONGESTION, SAVE TIME AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE
Thursday, January 22, 2009 @ 7:15 @ the Good Shepherd Community Center.
RIRA Common Council Delegate and recently elected RIOC Director Jonathan Kalkin is responsible for this innovative initiative to address one of Roosevelt Island's most pressing needs. Good job Jon!
UPDATE - 1/22 - Jon Kalkin provides some background on this initiative:
Almost two years ago I contacted the Dean of Columbia University's Graduate School of Urban Planning and Architecture. I looked at the many problems of the island as a resident as thought it would be a great thing for any university to study. My hope is that it would be free and I would find the right team. The Dean was kind enough to refer me to Dr. Lapp, whose background, skills, and experience in both the public sector, academia and the private sector were perfect for this type of study. RIOC agreed to be the client and things have been going very smoothly.
We have a range of problems from overcrowding subways to an unreliable red bus. In addition, we have new areas of transportation like ferry service that need to be studied. We need to take the suggestions of the community, coupled with the expertise of this team, and make real changes in the way we travel.
The goal of this study is to bring light to past ideas that may work, and to bring new ideas to the board and the community. The problem in the past is there have been a lot of good common sense ideas introduced, but they haven't been tested. As a member of the operations committee, I want to see these suggestions tested and made a reality. The most important thing to remember is that Dr. Lapp has extensive ties to city government and can help us publicize this problem to not only the board, but outside agencies, and government officials. We need a concerted effort from all of them to see real change.
The red bus is one of the things that we can tackle quickly and can make a real dent in the problem. Other aspects of the transportation problem may take more time and influence outside of Roosevelt Island, but the red bus can get people to the station in a quick and more reliable manner. One idea that I have pushed is to have access for all of Roosevelt Island to the GPS antennas that are currently being installed on each of the red buses by the Octagon's management. I have fought for the idea that this is not only a great idea for the Octagon, but the rest of the island. This way you could see at the station when the next bus is arriving and where it is currently on the island. Other ideas are a possible RIOC card like we have right now, but a plastic one that holds more value than a dollar. Our current system works with these kind of cards and could help us utilize this data to see what the real ridership is. It may make us more efficient as well. Many have argued that the Octagon express is empty later in the rush period, but without a study these complaints are unheard. These are the things we need to examine. Other ideas like foot access to the bridge and subway changes are something that need to brought to the city's attention. The technology is there, the ideas are there, but we need to make them a reality. I believe this study will make that possible.
Again, great work by Mr. Kalkin but this is only the beginning. If Roosevelt Island residents truly want to improve their transportation options we need to get behind and help with this initiative as well as the Access RI study and survey.
The Hunter College Access RI Team currently studying Roosevelt Island transportation issues will be holding an Open House on December 6 at the Good Shepherd Community Center. The purpose of the Open House is so:
the Roosevelt Island community can meet and talk with us in a small, casual setting. At the same time, we will give the community an opportunity to take surveys, give an oral history of their Roosevelt Island experience and illustrate their perceptions of the island on maps. There will be activities for children too. Refreshments will be served.
Last night's Transportation Town Hall meeting did not produce anything new in terms of solutions for Roosevelt Island other than the use of a wireless point and click device to record the views of those in attendance on a variety of questions.
Roosevelt Island 360 has an excellent and thorough review of the proceeds with which I am in complete agreement.
The only real problem was the transportation experts did not speak at all and the public was not given the opportunity to put these folks on the spot. Also while the solutions offered are nice in theory we heard nothing from the elected officials or the transportation officials as to the reality of any one solution being actually attainable or not.
Access RI is a blog created by the Hunter College team that conducted the Roosevelt Island transportation Town Hall meeting. Access RI intends to not only focus on Roosevelt Island transportation related issues but seeks to develop a comprehensive plan to:
improve access to employment, education, health care, food and other services of importance including but not limited to emergency services and public transportation.
The study will produce long-term, innovative solutions, in addition to short-term, low hanging fruit solutions to address these issues.
Roosevelt Island offers a simple way to delineate the primary study area, because it is an island with three main access points. However, as we continue our research and analysis, the study area may expand the scope of analysis to include access corridors or nodes in Manhattan and Queens.
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.
