It Sure Looked Like The Roosevelt Island Zombie Apocalypse Today, But Wasn't - Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Covered Sky Over All Of NYC

The Sky over Roosevelt Island NYC East River waterfront was covered today with smoke from Canadian wildfires. It’s crazy out there. Wear a mask.

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NYC Mayor Eric Adams provided this 6 PM update on the smoke conditions.

More from CBS News.

Wildfire Smoke From Western US And Canada Brings Unheathy Air Quality And Covers NYC Skies Yesterday As Seen From Roosevelt Island

According to July 21 NY Times article:

Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Western United States stretched across the continent this week, covering skies in a thick haze and triggering health alerts from Toronto to Philadelphia. Air quality remained in the unhealthy range across much of the East Coast on Wednesday morning as the haze pushed southward....
... As the smoke moved eastward across Toronto, New York and Philadelphia on Tuesday, concentrations of dangerous microscopic air pollution known as PM2.5 (because the particles are less than 2.5 microns in diameter) reached highs in the “unhealthy” range for most of the day....

Was seen from Roosevelt Island too https://t.co/JmXcR8gIfs

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) July 21, 2021

The Roosevelt Island sky looked like this from the wildfire smoke yesterday.

View from my friend’s place on Roosevelt Island, NYC, on a normal day and on a freaky wildfire-from-the-West day. #haze #ClimateCrisis pic.twitter.com/1olz9YIcIM

— Ariel Alexovich (@missariel) July 21, 2021

And rest of New York City.

UDPATE 7/22 - Roosevelt Island resident Tanya Morrisett adds yesterday:

Our bridge, Big Allis, and the sun (With a little smoke from the west)

How Do You Measure Roosevelt Island Air Quality - Cornell Tech Campus Construction Insignificant Cause Of Roosevelt Island Air Pollution, Queensboro Bridge Traffic Far Greater Source Says Independent Expert From Barry Commoner Center

 Image Of Air Quality Monitoring Equipment From Frank Farance

Roosevelt Island resident Frank Farance helped organize a December 2015 meeting to discuss issues regarding air quality monitoring on Roosevelt Island. Among those participating in addition to Mr. Farance were:

• Dr. Holger Eisl of the Barry Commoner Center for Health and the Environment at CUNY Queens College (Barry Commoner Center), 
• Andrew Winters, Cornell Tech Director of Capital Projects
• Staff from Roux Associates, currently doing air quality monitoring on Roosevelt Island for Cornell Tech and 
• Ellen Polivy, Co-Chair of the Roosevelt Island Community Coalition (RICC).

The results of that meeting were discussed by Mr. Winters and Ms. Polivy during the January 25 Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Construction & Community Task Force meeting. Here's the discussion.



Mr Farance provides this detailed report of the Roosevelt Island Air Quality Monitoring meeting.

I've been following up on several items regarding Roosevelt Island Air Quality (AQ) monitoring over the past 3-4 months, and I wanted to give you a progress report.

Earlier in the Fall, I was invited to and participated in Dr. Eisl's Air Quality Symposium, which included Federal, State, and City officials from various environmental, public health, community, and other organizations. In early December, there was a meeting of RICC, Cornell, and Queens College to exchange ideas and knowledge. I continue to work on this topic, but my positions have changed from where I was at in early 2014 with an AQ monitoring proposal for Roosevelt Island: I have been more informed by the science, the practice, the experience, and the politics -- of course, I still want better AQ for our community, for our neighbors, and our City, but I am a bit better informed upon how to proceed.

AIR QUALITY SYMPOSIUM

Several presenters spoke about how air quality improvements are being addressed. We heard from community leaders and their advocates. We heard from the EPA, NYS DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation), and NYC Department of Health in their approaches and successes. We heard from researchers who have been improving the knowledge of environmental sciences. We also discussed various topics. One topic I asked about, which was based upon some of the EPA and NYS DEC presenters' comments, was about various AQ instruments for monitoring. Essentially, the takeaway points from the discussion were:

(1) Air Quality is not like the other "Citizen Science" projects. While temperature and humidity might be crowd-sourced via amateur instruments, such as a home/school weather station, air quality is not as easily measured accurately. The AQ instruments, typically, are very expensive, require various calibration techniques, and require detailed knowledge for operation/maintenance.

(2) Amateur instruments have little use in enforcement. In other words, if your amateur instrument reads some high level of pollutant, it will not be enough to bring enforcement action against the polluter. Various data quality issues exist with amateur instruments.

(3) While Citizen Science and similar public efforts are, in general, good efforts, the measurement of air quality is significantly different in its observation requirements.

Although not expressed at this conference, Dr. Eisl has told me previously about failed efforts at the State level (NYS DEC) where they had tried the less expensive instruments but the effort had to be abandoned due to poor data quality. This is where Dr. Eisl's group has succeeded: getting better data quality that passes scientific muster and regulatory enforcement muster.

MEETING WITH RICC, CORNELL, AND QUEENS COLLEGE

During the Fall, I had the opportunity to work with RICC's Ellen Polivy on improving AQ in and around our community. Ms. Polivy and I share much in common on this topic. Previously, I had spoken briefly with Andrew Winters of Cornell Tech on this topic who, as a new neighbor on Roosevelt Island, has their own interest in AQ on Roosevelt Island.

About a year ago, Dr. Holger Eisl of the Barry Commoner Center provided some feedback on the Cornell Demolition/Construction AQ Monitoring. Ms. Polivy (RICC) asked me to provide assistance in convening a meeting, which I did, and the meeting on December 2, 2015 included RICC (Ms. Polivy), Cornell staff, Roux Associates staff (the AQ monitoring firm at the site), and Dr. Eisl and his staff from Queens College. I was merely representing myself, and keeping the meeting agenda on-time and the discussion on-topic.

Ms. Polivy expressed RICC's concerns on AQ, including the various trucks and construction activity at the Cornell construction site, and other aspects that RICC had negotiated with Cornell. Ms. Polivy also expressed that she has other AQ concerns for Roosevelt Island and the Upper East Side, including the Marine Transfer Station.

Mr. Winters was interested in Dr. Eisl's feedback, an exchange of ideas, and any suggestions to Cornell on improving their AQ monitoring at the construction site. Mr. Winters brought staff from Roux Associates, the firm that is doing the AQ monitoring on Roosevelt Island.

Dr. Eisl gave a presentation on Queens College work and their scientific progress, including a recent adoption of City law that required annual reporting of AQ by the City's Department of Health. The NYCCAS (New York City Community Air Survey) is described at:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/environmental/community-air-survey.shtml

Dr. Eisl's organization has been performing those NYCCAS air quality surveys for the City's Department Of Health for almost a decade. Both the quality of Dr. Eisl's AQ surveys and their ability to transform and dramatically improve the City's AQ over the past five years have been key features of the work at Queens College, and enshrining this into law is an acknowledgement of their value to the City.

Dr. Eisl brought staff to the December meeting. In 2014, Dr. Eisl had presented some technical questions about the present AQ monitoring at the Cornell construction site. My goal was to have the stakeholders present with their support staff, both scientists and practitioners, to have an informative discussion and exchange of ideas. That goal was achieved: there was a discussion of various instruments (Dr. Eisl had brought several AQ instruments to the meeting)

Images Of Air Quality Monitoring Instruments From Frank Farance

and some of their measurement techniques, and a discussion of quality assurance and quality control techniques of the instruments, their measurements, and their data. An outcome of the meeting was that Roux Associates and Queens College would continue to exchange knowledge, techniques, and ideas.

DR. EISL'S EXPERIENCE WITH SOME COMMUNITY-LED AQ INITIATIVES

At this meeting with RICC, Cornell, and Queens College, Dr. Eisl has expressed his experience with several community-led AQ initiatives. Dr. Eisl gave an illustration of the community in Harlem and their reaction to a change in bus technology at the 126 Street Bus Depot. The buses would be converted to cleaner fuels, which would produce reduced exhaust emissions. The community was interested because they were concerned about AQ and pollution levels, even if they were promised that the new buses would be "cleaner". The MTA was interested too because, with these new improvements to the buses, they could quantify both the cost and the AQ improvements.

For this site, Queens College performed "saturation monitoring", which is AQ monitors around and nearby the facility both before and after the changes. From the perspective of the size of the City, the saturation monitoring is at a "micro" scale in that it involves an area of approximately a handful of blocks, and it is real-time. The City-wide survey is at a "macro" scale in that the whole City is covered, but performed seasonally (four times a year). A prior RIRA proposal was at a "meso" scale in that several neighborhoods would be covered (Roosevelt Island, Upper East Side, western LIC/Astoria) and would include seasonal and real-time components. These various approaches are important to understand, especially when applied to Roosevelt Island.

At the end of the saturation monitoring effort at the 126 Street Bus Depot, while results showed some improvements of AQ for the new bus technology, the improvements were lost in the "background" of the AQ of its environment of the Triboro Bridge, the Harlem River Drive, Second Avenue, and such. In other words, while the community had hoped there would be some understanding of their AQ and improvements with the new bus technology, in fact there was little improvement because of the "background" air pollution that overwhelmed the improvements from the bus technology. Dr. Eisl said that these bus technology improvements at the 126 Street Bus Depot were just "noise" in the bigger picture, i.e., the AQ improvements were of little significance for that community.

Dr. Eisl mentioned that he has a similar hunch with the Marine Transfer Station (MTS) on the Upper East Side: Lots of community opposition, but pollutants from the MTS might be dwarfed by the local pollutants of the FDR Drive and oil-burning boilers of the Upper East Side -- in other words, a disappointing outcome for the local community, just like the 126 Street Bus Depot and some other community-led efforts. Dr. Eisl expressed concerns about such a myopic approach on AQ, in light of the "pollution soup" that we live in.

DR. EISL'S THOUGHTS ON CORNELL CONSTRUCTION AIR QUALITY

Ms. Polivy had expressed RICC's concerns about the large amount of truck traffic passing through our streets, including possible AQ concerns. Dr. Eisl's response reflected upon the above experiences:

(1) Compared to the amount of vehicular traffic on the Queensboro Bridge, the Cornell trucks might simply be "noise" (insignificant) in the measurement of AQ on Roosevelt Island -- a drop in the bucket. Note: As the 5th busiest City bridge, with 174,000 vehicle crossings per day (2014), the vehicular traffic at the Cornell construction side is three orders of magnitude less than bridge traffic, i.e., a thousand times more traffic on the Queensboro bridge than at the Cornell construction site.

(2) Several of the City's pollution maps look like a highway map: many of the pollutants come from vehicular traffic.

(3) Even if Roosevelt Island had real-time AQ monitoring, it could not pinpoint a single construction truck as a problem, and it could not provide that information in real-time (within minutes to apprehend the polluter) because the data requires processing and fusing, which would not give enough space-time resolution to pinpoint the offender immediately. Dr. Eisl felt that it would be difficult to isolate the offender within the "pollution soup" surrounding the area.

(4) Although Dr. Eisl has reviewed the Cornell AQ monitoring reports and there have been elevated levels, which stopped construction work while conditions were mitigated, Dr. Eisl expressed skepticism that the construction work stopped *in response* to an AQ monitoring alert: Dr. Eisl suspects that a dust cloud formed (due to some construction work), it was *visible* to the workers, they stopped work, and then hosed down the dust area, i.e., the workers might have anticipated the problem.

DR. EISL'S THOUGHTS ON ADDITIONAL AQ MONITORS ON ROOSEVELT ISLAND

At the March 2014 RIRA meeting, as Chair of the RIRA Planning Committee, I had made a presentation on AQ monitoring, and I suggested that RIRA approve a resolution making the request for AQ monitors on Roosevelt Island. RIRA was supportive of the resolution. However, around the same time we learned at that the City Council had broader support for Dr. Eisl's AQ monitoring City-wide, and the City's Department of Health (DoH) felt that putting 6 AQ monitors on Roosevelt Island did not make sense, i.e., it was not a wise use of a City resource concentrated on Roosevelt Island meanwhile other communities had similar needs.

Our reaction, as residents of Roosevelt Island, was to look for alternate funding sources to acquire the AQ monitoring service on Roosevelt Island (5-6 AQ monitors). Our community focused upon the 2014-2015 Participatory Budget cycle as a source of funds. The Roosevelt Island delegation of District 5 (Councilmember Ben Kallos) put forth a proposal for funding the AQ monitors, it had unanimous support from our delegation and was our delegation's highest priority. To make a long story short, the City's DEP is not the right agency to fund these AQ monitors and the City's DoH does not believe these are "capital" projects within the criteria and rubric for Participatory Budget projects. Simply, any kind of AQ monitoring equipment needs to be funded via the "normal" methods of the City budget. (Note: Our Councilmember has been supportive of our interests.)

Recently, Dr. Eisl's team was able to reduce the AQ monitors City-wide from 150 to 75, yet still maintain the same data quality for their air quality surveys. This is good science, and this is good government administration (same quality, reduced cost). However, this affects Roosevelt Island and its desire for AQ monitors: if Dr. Eisl were to recommend additional AQ monitors for Roosevelt Island, it would mean that Dr. Eisl did not "trust" his own AQ monitoring system to accurately measure air quality City-wide, i.e., the reduction of 150 to 75 monitors would not be sufficient because Dr. Eisl would believe additional monitors were necessary (such as on Roosevelt Island).

Thus, Dr. Eisl recommends no additional AQ monitors for the City-wide 75-monitor network, which were the kind RIRA requested in March 2014. These AQ monitors are seasonal monitors, they are very accurate (but they are not real-time).

Dr. Eisl has a small set of real-time AQ monitors throughout the City, I believe the number is approximately 20-25, and it does not yet provide the complete, comprehensive coverage of the City.

Dr. Eisl expressed that it might make sense to have 1-2 real-time AQ monitors on Roosevelt Island, but with the following understanding and caveats:

- The real-time AQ monitors would not be able to track down individual polluters such as Cornell construction vehicles or a barge from the Marine Transfer Station, and certainly not track them in real-time.

- We (Roosevelt Island) live in a "pollution soup" that makes it hard to track down individual pollution sources.

- The Queensboro Bridge is probably our biggest source, along with Upper East Side oil-burning boilers and the FDR Drive.

- The placement of a real-time AQ monitor might make sense on the Queensboro Bridge: not because of Cornell construction, but because of the vehicular traffic on the Queensboro Bridge is a large polluting source; and the placement of the real-time AQ monitor might make sense on the Queensboro Bridge at bridge level itself. Other siting locations are possible, too.

Thus, the Roosevelt Island real-time AQ monitors might be reasonable for *City-wide* benefit, but Roosevelt Islanders should not expect a direct, local, and immediate benefit for their community.

I took Dr. Eisl and staff for a drive around the neighborhood, including Roosevelt Island, Astoria, and Long Island City. He has a better sense of our community and neighboring communities.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Cornell's firm Roux Associates and Queens College were able to engage in productive discussions of the science and practice, and discuss the AQ monitoring at the Cornell construction site. I expect that they will continue their dialogue, including RICC. (Thanks, Ellen Polivy, for suggesting this meeting.)

2. Community-led AQ initiatives sometimes don't have the outcome expected by the community. As was the case for the 126 Street Bus Depot, the site's pollution with a drop-in-the-bucket compared to pollution sources surrounding the site (Triboro Bridge, Harlem River Drive, Second Avenue, etc.). The same might be the case for Roosevelt Island, with polluting sources from the Queensboro Bridge (174,000 vehicles a day), the FDR Drive, the Upper East Side oil-burning boilers, Ravenswood power plant, and other sources.

3. High quality instruments (not amateur instruments) are necessary for measuring air quality, and trained staff are necessary to operate/maintain the instruments.

4. It is difficult/impossible to tease out a single (mobile) polluting source, such as an individual construction vehicle, with real-time AQ monitors and discovered in real-time.

5. It is difficult/impossible to tease out different pollution sources in the "pollution soup" that we live in.

6. Adding more AQ monitors for Roosevelt Island, of the seasonal variety, makes no sense because the present City-wide survey provide comprehensive coverage, including Roosevelt Island.

7. Adding 1-2 real-time monitors on Roosevelt Island might make sense, but it should be coordinated with the City's real-time AQ monitoring program and the City's needs, and it should be owned/operated by the City and Queens College. It makes no sense to have such a standalone AQ monitoring system on Roosevelt Island.

8. We of Roosevelt Island should focus our air quality concerns in the direction of: supporting regional concerns within the City (UES, Astoria/LIC, RI) rather than just Roosevelt-Island-only or Community-Board-8-only concerns. This makes more sense from scientific, budgeting, and political perspectives.

Mr. Winters said of Mr. Farance's report:

I think it is an accurate record of the conversation.

Cornell Tech Roosevelt Island Construction Update, Academic Building Excavation Begins - Demolition, Abatement, Barging, Trucks, Air Quality And More

 Image Of April 1 Cornell Tech Roosevelt Island Campus Construction Site

Here's the latest

Image From Rosanna Ceruzzi

on the demolition of Roosevelt Island's

Image From Rosanna Ceruzzi

Goldwater Hospital

Image From Rosanna Ceruzzi

to make way

Image From Rosanna Ceruzzi

for the new Cornell Tech campus.

According to the Cornell NYC Tech Roosevelt Island construction update:

March 20 - April 3 Look Ahead

Demolition work continues in the Phase II area. Building E is progressing with approximately 10% of the building rubble to still be sorted. Once completed early the week of March 23rd, foundation removal will begin, working from the north to the south.

Building A is in the final stages of backfill and grading. The building will be complete early in the week of March 23rd.

Once Building A is finished, equipment will move to Building B. As with the other buildings, balcony and window removal must occur prior to any façade removal. This work is scheduled to take place during the week of March 30th.

In terms of sitework, Cornell has completed the installation of the new water main and utility ductbank. Con Edison crews will continue to work within and around the Cornell site as they finish splicing cables. Excavation has begun on the First Academic Building (FAB) and Central Utility Plant (CUP) in the Phase I area.

Below is Cornell NYC Tech March 2 presentation (PDF Format) to the Roosevelt Island Community and Construction Task Force

Cornell Tech March 2 Update


and video.

Part 1. Cornell Tech Director of Capital Planning Andrew Winters provides an overview of the demolition and abatement work..



Part 2. Utility and Site Work described by Tishman's John DiCapua.



Part 3. Excavation of first academic building described by Tom LePage of Barr & Barr.



Part 4. Barging, Trucking of materials and air quality described by Andrew Winters.





Part 5. Questions on Air Quality, Helix Repair, High Pressure Gas Lines, emergency access, coordinating concrete pouring trucks and more.



The next meeting of the Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Community and Construction Task Force is April 27. The meetings are open to the public.

Roosevelt Island Participatory Budgeting Info Expo Sunday March 22 - Help Decide How To Spend $1 Million In NYC Participatory Budget Funds Says Council Member Ben Kallos

Roosevelt Island, Midtown East,Upper East Side and El Barrio NYC Council Member (District 5) Ben Kallos reports:

Dear Roosevelt Island,

This spring, you will be empowered through direct democracy to vote on how $1 million in city funds gets spent in our neighborhood, comment on legislation, and even become a Council Member for a Day (if you are a student).You are empowered to help get items on the ballot, evaluate each proposal, and then vote on where you think the city funds are best spent.

First, please join me at an expo with community volunteers to learn more about the projects on the ballot:

3/21: NYPL E67th Street Branch
328 East 67th Street Saturday, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM. RSVP.

3/22: Roosevelt Landings (formerly Eastwood)
546 Main Street Sunday, 12th Floor community room, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. RSVP.

3/25: Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center
415 East 93rd Street Wednesday, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM. RSVP.

Then, VOTE!

Voting will take place from Saturday, 4/11 to Sunday, 4/19 at my District Office and locations throughout the neighborhood. If you plan to participate, please pledge to vote.

The process works: Last year, proposals winning funding were Bus Time Clocks at Westbound Crosstown Bus Stops, senior centers, and STEM programs in public schools.

But direct democracy does not stop at the funding process. It also means that you should have a say on city legislation and open channels of communication with your elected officials. That is why I am pleased to be part of the launch of DemocracyOs, a new tool that allows you engage directly with government. I am excited to support this worthy civic engagement tool. If you would like to vote on my proposals, share your opinions and get a response, or read more about my legislation, please visit BenKallos.DemocracyOs.org.

Finally, I am now inviting students to enter the "Council Member for a Day" essay contest. The contest is open to students in Grades 5-8, and one winner will join me at an official session of the New York City Council. The prompt is "What I Would Do as a Member of the City Council." Please email your essay to bkallos@benkallos.com with the subject line "Council Member for a Day." Parents, teachers and neighbors: Please pass this along to any students who may be interested. Submissions are due May 1st.

For more information on how you can vote in participatory budgeting, please visit BenKallos.com/pb

The Roosevelt Island projects eligible for District 5 Participatory Budget funding are:

Study of Sight and Sound $35,000

Audio/Visual equipment with audio induction looping for the New York Public Library Roosevelt Island branch.
504 Main Street (Roosevelt Island)

and:

Green Roof for PS/IS 217 $500,000
Build a green roof for environmental education at PS/IS 217.
645 Main Street (Roosevelt Island)

Here's the Ballot for District 5 Participatory Budget Funding projects.

Participatory Budget Projects CD 5 Kallos

I asked Council Member Kallos:

I understand that the Roosevelt Island Air Quality monitoring proposal was not selected to be voted upon for the Participatory Budgeting Vote process in NYC Council District 5.

Is that true?

If yes, Why? My understanding was that the Roosevelt Island Air Quality Monitoring proposal was ranked number 1 for Roosevelt Island projects.

The Press Spokesperson for Mr. Kallos replied:

Both rank and feasibility are the determining factors of what gets on the ballot -- and, in this case, the agency that would handle the project, DOHMH, was not in the pb process (and DEP was not the right agency to administer this project). We are happy that 2 of 16 proposals this year are from the Roosevelt Island delegates, so RI will be very well represented on the ballot!

DOHMH is the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. DEP is NYC Department of Environmental Protection.

More on the Roosevelt Island Participatory Budgeting Process at this previous post.

Cornell Tech Roosevelt Island Community Update - Demolition, Construction, Air Quality, Barging, PS/IS 217 & Community Communcations

Image From Future Cornell Campus

With the departure of former Cornell Tech Vice President Cathy Dove to a new position as President of the Paul Smith's College, the Roosevelt Island Community Report Ms. Dove wrote will now be an update provided by Cornell Tech.

Updates from Cornell Tech

Cornell Tech hosted a Town Hall meeting on Monday, December 8 to provide updates on construction and community initiatives as the campus development continues to take shape:

Construction updates from the Town Hall:

• Cornell began demolition of the former Goldwater Hospital buildings last winter and will soon enter the first phase of construction for the campus.
• Demolition of Phase 1 of the campus design will be completed by December 31, with Phase 2 demolition underway and expected to be completed by June 2015.
• Cornell is working with Barr & Barr to construct the First Academic Building, a NYC-based firm with a track record of quality work and a reputation for deep community engagement. Their experience with university projects includes Princeton University and Syracuse University.
• Roux Associates, an environmental consulting firm, reaffirmed Cornell Tech’s commitment to monitoring air quality during the construction process. Cornell is applying several proactive controls to reduce emissions, including:
• Reducing of diesel equipment
• Using ultra low sulfur diesel fuels
• Limiting construction equipment idle time
• Using equipment that meets the latest federal emission standards
• As of December 1, Cornell has moved approximately 10,200 tons of waste by barge, avoiding approximately 4,800-5,150 truck trips.
• For more information, visit construction.tech.cornell.edu. Please note we have a new section of the website for photos of the construction site and we will add photos to it on a monthly basis.

K-12 updates from the Town Hall:

• Diane Levitt, Cornell Tech’s K-12 Director, provided details on Cornell Tech’s continued support of education initiatives on Roosevelt Island. Cornell Tech is deeply engaged with PS/IS 217 and is committed to:
• Helping with teacher training and support
• Science, engineering, technology and mathematics education initiatives
• After-school programming
• Tech events
• Hardware and software programming development
• Cornell Tech has been involved in teacher training and curriculum development to help students understand computing and computational thinking. As a result, there is a coding class happening at the middle school, one period a week, where students learn critical computing skills.
• Cornell Tech has monthly meetings with Principal Beckman and her staff, and we are working to organize a Middle School Hackathon for Spring 2015.
• Cornell Tech looks forward to supporting two teams in the Continental Mathematics League computer science competition in early 2015.

As a reminder, Jane Swanson, Assistant Director of Government and Community Relations at Cornell Tech, is at Gallery RIVAA, 527 Main Street, every Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to visit and chat with Jane to learn more about Cornell Tech’s plans.

Roosevelt Island Participatory Budgeting Information Session Tonight 6 PM - Help NYC Council Member Ben Kallos Spend $1 Million For Roosevelt Island And Upper East Side

From Roosevelt Island's New York City Council Member Ben Kallos:

Participatory Budgeting Neighborhood Assembly at Roosevelt Island Senior Center
Date:
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 - 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Location
Roosevelt Island Senior Center
546 Main Street
New York, NY 10044

Mr. Kallos adds:

Participatory budgeting empowers you to decide how one million of your tax dollars get spent.

Whether you’re passionate about green space, improving housing conditions or senior services, participatory budgeting allows you to come up with creative ideas and champion them for the good of the community.

Join us at an upcoming Neighborhood Assembly to learn more and get involved:...

More on NYC Participatory Budgeting from previous post.

Also, during Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) October 1 Public Session, Council Member Kallos staffer for Roosevelt Island Joe Strong explained the NYC Participatory Budgeting process to RIRA Common Council Members.

Here's what Mr. Strong had to say.



More information on Participatory Budgeting at PBNYC and video below.

Real Money, Real Power: Participatory Budgeting from PBP on Vimeo.

Participatory budgeting in not new to Roosevelt Island. We have been using it for years to allocate $100 Thousand Public Purpose Funds annually.

UPDATE 9:45 PM - NYC Council Member Ben Kallos attended tonight's Roosevelt Island Participatory Budget Assembly. Here's what he had to say.



Prior to Mr. Kallos speaking, Kallos Roosevelt Island staffer Joe Strong introduced Roosevelt Island residents to the Participatory Budgeting process.





Will have the break out sessions with suggestions for projects to be funded later.

UPDATE 10/8 - Projects eligible to be funded through the Participatory Budgeting process must be for Capital Projects only, meaning brick and mortar, not services, and be greater than $35,000.

Among the suggestions for Roosevelt Island projects to be funded through the Participatory Budgeting process were:

• Replace toddler playgound,
• Indoor space for toddler to play in winter by using old Tram Cabins,
• Air quality monitoring infrastructure,
• Equipment for new Roosevelt Island Library - handicap accessibility,
• Renovation of Roosevelt Island Youth Program Premises at 506 Main Street,
• Ramp for Coler Hospital Patients To Access waterfront promenade,
• Improve Landscaping around Coler Hospital,
• Tennis Court Striping for kids tennis,
• Safe Bike Lane for Roosevelt Island Bridge,
• Bus Stop at top of Motorgate Garage,
• Kayak launch,
• Baseball field refurbishment,
• Gallery RIVAA renovation and
• FDR Hope Memorial site elements.

Also suggested, in a half joking manner, were a new Roosevelt Island subway line and an elevator/stairway from Roosevelt Island to the Queensboro Bridge.

Mr. Kallos advised that volunteers who are passionate about any of these projects are needed to champion them through the Participatory Budgeting process.

Here's excerpts



from the Roosevelt Island Participatory Budgeting Assembly Break-Out Sessions

UPDATE 2 PM - You can volunteer or add suggestions for projects to be funded here.

Cornell NYC Tech Demolition Of Roosevelt Island Goldwater Hospital Latest Update - Above Grade Building C Demolition Completed, Hand Demolition Part Of Building F Underway, Interior Demolition Of All Buildings Complete & Rubble Removal Air Quality Response

Image Of Cornell NYC Tech Demolition Of Goldwater Hospital Yesterday

Here's the most recent Cornell NYC Tech Construction Update

Image Of Cornell NYC Tech Demolition Of Goldwater Hospital Yesterday

describing the demolition

Image Of Cornell NYC Tech Demolition Of Goldwater Hospital Yesterday

of Goldwater Hospital.



According to the Cornell NYC Tech Roosevelt Island construction update:

September 26 - October 10 Look Ahead

Structural demolition of Building C is ongoing. The above-grade portion of the building is fully demolished, and work to remove the basement and foundation walls will start shortly. The sorting of the rubble will continue.

Hand demolition of the northern portion of Building F is underway. This demolition method is being used due to the close proximity to the north loop road. Once the northern portion of the building is complete, mechanical means will be employed for the other sides of the building.

Interior demolition is now complete in Building E, marking the end of interior demolition across all buildings on the Cornell site. Interior abatement work is ongoing and focused on the first floor and basement levels.

Test pits have been completed successfully along the north loop road and the southern portion of the west roadway. Underground conditions were verified and steel plates have been used to secure the openings.

The barging operation has been impacted by the limits imposed on marine travel due to United Nations meetings. Once normal operations resume, there will be an increase in barge activity as we work to remove the backlog of containers from the site.

Also, the most recent air quality monitoring data from Cornell NYC Tech at the Goldwater Hospital site.

Image From Cornell Tech

Air Quality Action Levels
Background corrected particulate concentration data from the site is compared to particulate action levels. This correction is calculated by subtracting the upwind concentration from the downwind concentration and provides the concentration of particulates being generated by site activities. The specific action levels and their response are as follows:

• Between 0.100 mg/m3 and 0.150 mg/m3 – Particulate suppression techniques instituted.
• Greater than 0.150 mg/m3 – Stop work and reevaluate activities. 

 Electrical Issues
Due to an event in Manhattan involving an electrical feeder (not associated with the Cornell Tech project), the on-site construction trailers did not have electricity from September 19th through September 22nd, making it impossible to charge the batteries for the monitors overnight. Power was restored Monday evening, allowing the equipment to charge and air monitoring to resume on Tuesday, September 23rd.

September 25, 2014

Sorting of the rubble took place in close proximity to the downwind meter resulting in particulate concentration in excess of 0.1. Additional water was used as a particulate suppressant and readings soon returned to normal levels.

More details on Cornell NYC Tech demolition procedures of Roosevelt Island's Goldwater Hospital at this August 25 post.

Roosevelt Island Cornell NYC Tech Construction Update - Don't Be Alarmed By Workers In Protective Gear On Roof Of Goldwater Hospital, They Are Removing Non Friable Asbestos Materials - Also, Latest Construction Site Air Quality Tests

Image Of Former Goldwater Hospital Seen From Roosevelt Island Tram

According to Cornell NYC Tech Construction Update:

July 7 - July 18 Look Ahead

Beginning Monday, July 7th, workers will be on the roof of Building D of the former Goldwater Hospital complex undertaking abatement work. Wearing protective gear, the workers will be removing non-friable asbestos roofing materials and will be visible from the tram and the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. The work is being done in accordance with approved DEP procedures, using industry-standard products intended to prevent dust from being created during the roof removal. The work will last approximately one week depending on the weather.

In addition to the roof of Building D, interior abatement work is underway on the upper floors of Building B. Interior abatement will move to the lower floors once interior demolition work is complete in the basement level.

Preparation for interior demolition is complete in Building E. Work will begin the week of July 7th.

Also, the most recent air quality monitoring data from Cornell NYC Tech at the Goldwater Hospital construction site.

Air Quality Action Levels
Background corrected particulate concentration data from the site is compared to particulate action levels. This correction is calculated by subtracting the upwind concentration from the downwind concentration and provides the concentration of particulates being generated by site activities. The specific action levels and their response are as follows

Inclement Weather
Monitoring is not conducted during rain events as precipitation acts as a natural suppressant and prevents the migration of particulates. In addition, moisture can impact the accuracy of the data from the monitors.

More on the Cornell NYC Tech demolition and abatement process, including video describing plan in great detail, from this previous post.

Roosevelt Island Cornell NYC Tech Campus Construction Update - Interior Demolition/Abatement Of Goldwater Hospital Continues, New Barging Operator Removing Waste/Delivering Empty Containers, Weather Conditions/Wind Patterns To Be Analyzed And Air Quality Monitoring Results

Here's the most recent Cornell NYC Tech Construction Update describing the demolition of Goldwater Hospital.

Image Of Roosevelt Island's Goldwater Hospital Building C Demolition Area

According to Cornell NYC Tech Construction Update:

June 6 - June 20 Look Ahead

Interior demolition and interior abatement are progressing well across the site. Interior demolition is complete in all but two buildings (Building B and E). The interior abatement crews are currently spread across four buildings. They have completed the abatement work on the Building C roof. The regulatory agencies that are involved in the project have requested that the contractor perform some additional work at this time in advance of structural demolition. As a result, small crews have remobilized and returned to Phase 1 (Building D and F).

The weather station has been removed from the roof of Building J. Consultants will soon begin to analyze the data to develop a comprehensive understanding of weather conditions and wind patterns at the site.

The transition to the new barging operator has been seamless. They have successfully made multiple trips to Roosevelt Island to remove waste and deliver empty containers. The next barge trip will likely take place late in the week of June 9th.

I asked Cornell NYC Tech Assistant Director of Government and Community Relations Jane Swanson:

Can you provide more specific reasons for the additional abatement work required by regulatory agencies that is referenced in Cornell Construction update....

Ms. Swanson replied:

There is a layer of asbestos-containing mastic on the inside face of the exterior masonry walls. We removed it safely in Building C, but left it intact in Buildings D and F, as we were considering an abatement methodology that included removing it as part of the exterior wall structural demolition. At this time, however, we have proposed an abatement methodology that requires removal of the mastic prior to structural demolition, so we intend to re-enter Buildings D and F to complete the removal of this interior mastic.

Also, the most recent air quality monitoring data from Cornell NYC Tech at the Goldwater Hospital site.

Air Quality Action Levels
Background corrected particulate concentration data from the site is compared to particulate action levels. This correction is calculated by subtracting the upwind concentration from the downwind concentration and provides the concentration of particulates being generated by site activities. The specific action levels and their response are as follows

Inclement Weather
Monitoring is not conducted during rain events as precipitation acts as a natural suppressant and prevents the migration of particulates. In addition, moisture can impact the accuracy of the data from the monitors.

More on the Cornell NYC Tech demolition and abatement process, including video describing plan in great detail, from this previous post.

Roosevelt Island Community Coalition Briefs Residents On Cornell Construction Task Force Meeting - Issues Discussed Include Demolition, Construction, Barging, Air Quality, PS/IS 217, Goldwater Murals & More

According to the the latest update from the Cornell Tech's Roosevelt Island Construction Project web site:

April 25 - May 9 Look Ahead
Work continues in multiple buildings across the site. Interior demolition is finished in buildings C, D, F, and H. Interior abatement is nearing completion in buildings C and H. Buildings on the southern half of the site are currently being prepped in anticipation of work that will start as buildings in the north reach completion. Barging will take place the week of April 28th to remove demolition debris.

The art conservation firms have made significant process with the three WPA era murals. The Ilya Bolotowsky mural canvas has successfully been separated from the wall. Removal of the Albert Swinden and Joseph Rugolo murals is ongoing and will be complete in early May. After leaving Goldwater, the murals will travel to conservation studios where restoration will begin.

The U.S. Geological Survey is in the process of taking final geothermal readings. Once complete, the data will determine the viability of a geothermal well field and ultimately guide the design.

Air quality monitoring data is available on the Cornell Tech construction website.

The Roosevelt Island Community Coalition (RICC) Board of Directors met last night (April 29) to report on their efforts to advocate quality of life issues on behalf of residents with Cornell NYC Tech, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC), elected officials and other decision makers as it pertains to the development of the new Cornell campus. Among the topics discussed at last night's RICC meeting was an overview by Christina Delfico and other RICC Directors of the April 28 meeting of the Roosevelt Island Cornell NYC Tech Construction Task Force.

Here's the overview by RICC of the April 28 Construction Task Force meeting.

Part A.



Part B.



Community Board 8's Roosevelt Island Committee will meet tomorrow 6:30 PM for a:

Presentation by Cornell NYCTech of the design for the residential building.

at 546 Main Street, 12th Floor Conference Room.

The meeting is open to the public and you're invited to attend.

Roosevelt Island Wide Air Quality Monitoring Study With Queens College Center For The Biology Of Natural Systems Proposed By RIRA Planning Committee - May Actually Happen

Image Of Black Smoke From Transcanada Big Allis Power Plant From Eva Bosbach

Former Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Ellen Polivy previously reported on efforts to establish air quality monitoring on Roosevelt Island. According to Ms. Polivy:

... One example of balls in the air is the idea and planning of an air monitoring project on Main Street. On our internal blog, we began talking about Cornell and their agreement to do air monitoring only on their construction site. We understand that Cornell is worried about being blamed for pollution that might not be caused by them, so therefore they only want monitoring equipment on their site. However we had a lively conversation on our list serve about general air quality concerns on the Island from the amount of pollution generated from the bridge and the electric plant and other construction around the City. Therefore I suggested that we start an ad hoc committee to study this. Ball was tossed and picked up by Howard Polivy RIOC Board member who thought this was an interesting concept. He did a small amount of research and discovered that Queens College is doing an air quality study. He threw the ball to me. I passed it along to Helen Chirivas who had expressed interest in this issue. She researched a little more and tossed it to Frank Farance who called Queens College and decided to take this idea into the Planning Committee. Now ball is with Frank Farance who is in discussion with Queens College about getting air quality equipment on Roosevelt Island and having us be a part of their Citywide study. But first money needs to be raised for the equipment. Lets see where this goes from here. Ball is still in the air. We will be watching. It’s an exciting project...

RIRA Planning Committee Chair Frank Farance adds:

There are increasing concerns about air quality with the decades long construction of Cornell, and other industrial work around us (e.g., power plant). Rather than a piecemeal approach, we (the RIRA Planning Committee) seek a coordinated strategy with appropriate data/analyses sharing such that the air quality on Roosevelt Island can be monitored and, if necessary, appropriate actions can be taken to address short-, medium-, and long-term concerns. In addition, we might find other neighborhoods (Sutton Place, Queens West, LIC/Ravenswood, Astoria, etc.) who might want to partner, collaborate, and/or support our efforts. Such a nested grid (data fusion) approach might help reduce False Negatives (air quality problems that exist, but go undetected) and False Positives (e.g., air quality problems attributed to activity on Roosevelt Island, but are in fact broader problems in our area). We expect all data to be open and shared.

I have presented this topic at RIRA meetings and there has been strong support. We are working on a plan where Queens College researchers would expand their air quality measurements to Roosevelt Island, but with a smaller grid size (better resolution) than present City-wide monitoring, and with real-time data samples (as compared to the City's two-week samples that take 6-8 weeks to analyze - not timely at all!). There are several nuts-and-bolts aspects of this plan that require further study before we can present it to RIRA for endorsement. I've contacted the research institution at Queens College and they are enthused to work with us.

As part of our air quality efforts, RIRA Planning Committee members toured the Ravenswood power plant (Big Allis) recently.

Mr. Farance shares this message he sent to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato seeking the assistance of RIOC in conducting a comprehensive air quality monitoring program for Roosevelt Island.

Ms. Indelicato

As you are aware, the RIRA Planning Committee has been investigating air quality (AQ) monitoring for Roosevelt Island and coordinating it with the City-wide NYC community air quality survey. We have made good progress, and we need help from RIOC to support this effort, which would provide Reference Data for a Roosevelt Island survey, as calibrated with the City-wide Winter Season sample that is completing this week.

I've also spoken with Peter Krokondelas of the Cornell team and he will be contacting Andrew Winters to connect Dr. Eisl of the AQ research team at the Center for the Biology of Natural Systems at Queens College. In addition, Dr. Eisl will be coming to the Island and I'd like him to me you and other RIOC staff, and Cornell staff (if possible).

Simply, the collective WE (the Island, RIOC, Cornell, etc.) have the opportunity to do this Right: to get Reference Data, which will be calibrated City-wide, and will be the most authoritative data on air quality for our community for decades to come. I urge you and RIOC to support this effort (by granting permission to mount AQ monitors on five lamp posts), and to encourage those around us (Cornell, Hudson-Related, etc.) to be supportive of these efforts. I expect further AQ monitoring during the demolition and construction phases over the years.

Below, please find:

- RIRA Planning Committee's Efforts
- About CBNS, Follow-Up With CBNS
- What CBNS Is Willing To Do For Us
- Why This Is Important To Do NOW
- Specific Request For RIOC's Help

I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you.

RIRA PLANNING COMMITTEE EFFORTS

As I reported last Monday:

"There are increasing concerns about air quality with the decades long construction of Cornell, and other industrial work around us (e.g., power plant). Rather than a piecemeal approach, we (the RIRA Planning Committee) seek a coordinated strategy with appropriate data/analyses sharing such that the air quality on Roosevelt Island can be monitored and, if necessary, appropriate actions can be taken to address short-, medium-, and long-term concerns. In addition, we might find other neighborhoods (Sutton Place, Queens West, LIC/Ravenswood, Astoria, etc.) who might want to partner, collaborate, and/or support our efforts. Such a nested grid (data fusion) approach might help reduce False Negatives (air quality problems that exist, but go undetected) and False Positives (e.g., air quality problems attributed to activity on Roosevelt Island, but are in fact broader problems in our area). We expect all data to be open and shared.

I have presented this topic at RIRA meetings and there has been strong support. We are working on a plan where Queens College researchers (Center for the Biology of Natural Systems) would expand their air quality measurements to Roosevelt Island, but with a smaller grid size (better resolution) than present City-wide monitoring, and with real-time data samples (as compared to the City's two-week samples that take 6-8 weeks to analyze). ... As part of our air quality efforts, RIRA Planning Committee members will be touring the Ravenswood power plant (Big Allis) this week."


ABOUT CBNS, FOLLOW UP WITH CBNS

I have met with Dr. Holger Eisl, the Program Director at the Center for the Biology of Natural Systems (CBNS). CBNS is on the Queens College campus and they have been conducting the City-wide air quality survey for many years. Here is the NYC.gov Department of Health page that discusses AQ, and also cites Dr. Eisl's research (see NYCCAS Scientific Publications on bottom of page):

The CBNS describes their City-wide work on their project home page:

Steve Markowitz (MD DrPH), the Director, is a physician specializing in occupational and environmental medicine. Here is a sampling of his lectures:

I note that CBNS is also doing saturation monitoring at the 126 Street Bus Depot in Harlem to measure before/after affects of the green technologies being incorporated into the bus fleet.

WHAT CBNS IS WILLING TO DO FOR US

Dr. Eisl is willing to do a Reference Data survey immediately on Roosevelt Island. There would be five sampling points with the following approximate locations:

(1) Southpoint Park transverse road (approx. equivalent to 53 Street in Manhattan)
(2) Sportspark transverse road (approx. 59 Street)
(3) Blackwell House turnaround (approx. 65 Street)
(4) Helix Base (approx. 72 Street)
(5) Octagon Park (approx. 79 Street)

Dr. Eisl can also do a simultaneous Noise survey at these points.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT TO DO NOW

Having Reference Data before demolition and construction start is critical for comparative study for decades to come. The Cornell demolition has not yet started, nor has Cornell yet hired an oversight manager at RIOC, so it is important to get the AQ survey done right now. It addition, CBNS is completing their City-wide Winter Survey this week, so the data can be tied-to/calibrated-with this City-wide data.


SPECIFIC REQUEST FOR RIOC'S HELP

CBNS would need to mount AQ sensors on five light poles, and they need RIOC's permission to do this.

Yesterday, I asked Ms. Indelicato about the status of this air quality study project proposal. Ms Indelicato replied:

We need to get all the information as to locations, installation, insurance, power source, maintenance etc before we say yes or no- I believe the Queens College people are meeting with engineering and IT

Mr. Farance discussed the Air Quality Monitoring Project



at the February 5 RIRA Common Council Meeting.

Report From RIRA President Ellen Polivy - Roosevelt Island Air Quality, Tram Elevator, Amalgamated Bank Mortgage Seminar, Experts List, RIRA Non Profit Compliance and Code Of Ethics

Image Of Black Smoke From Transcanada Big Allis Power Plant From Eva Bosbach

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Ellen Polivy sends the following Report To The Community:

The Non Profit Revitalization Act of 2013

Effective July 1, the Act mandates every nonprofit to adopt a conflict of interest policy to ensure action in the nonprofit’s best interest. This provision applies to all NYS nonprofits. Among other things, the Act requires that the conflict of interest policy include the following: (1) a definition of what constitutes a conflict of interest; (2) procedures for disclosing a conflict of interest; (3) a prohibition against any attempt by the person with the conflict of interest to influence improperly the deliberation or voting on the matter giving rise to such conflict; and (4) a requirement that the existence and resolution of the conflict be documented in the nonprofit’s records, including the minutes of any meeting at which the conflict was discussed or voted upon. RIRA is acting to have an explicit policy adopted as necessary.


Code of Ethical Conduct

The ad hoc Ethics Committee has reviewed codes of ethical conduct from a variety of organizations and come up with a suggested code. The core issue is how we treat each other. We will be holding a public meeting on Thursday February 20 at 8pm to get public comment. Then at the March RIRA meeting, it will be voted on. Watch for more information. I believe that as a non-governing body, we are essentially an advocacy organization. We must first decide what we are going to advocate for, how we will do it and then speak with one voice. If we cannot do that cooperatively, then we become a clamor of competing voices and no one knows what we as a group stand for or will care to listen to us.


Balls in the air

The Super Bowl is a great example of teamwork. Each player does what he can at the moment where it can do the most good and try not to go crashing into another team member. On Roosevelt Island we are all on the same team since we all want our community to run smoothly and support our residents. I like to treat members of RIOC as our teammates. With this attitude, we all work together to get the ball to the goal.


Planning Committee

One example of balls in the air is the idea and planning of an air monitoring project on Main Street. On our internal blog, we began talking about Cornell and their agreement to do air monitoring only on their construction site. We understand that Cornell is worried about being blamed for pollution that might not be caused by them, so therefore they only want monitoring equipment on their site. However we had a lively conversation on our list serve about general air quality concerns on the Island from the amount of pollution generated from the bridge and the electric plant and other construction around the City. Therefore I suggested that we start an ad hoc committee to study this. Ball was tossed and picked up by Howard Polivy RIOC Board member who thought this was an interesting concept. He did a small amount of research and discovered that Queens College is doing an air quality study. He threw the ball to me. I passed it along to Helen Chirivas who had expressed interest in this issue. She researched a little more and tossed it to Frank Farance who called Queens College and decided to take this idea into the Planning Committee. Now ball is with Frank Farance who is in discussion with Queens College about getting air quality equipment on Roosevelt Island and having us be a part of their Citywide study. But first money needs to be raised for the equipment. Lets see where this goes from here. Ball is still in the air. We will be watching. It’s an exciting project.


Island Services

The committee has been advocating to fix the tram elevator. RIOC has acted on this problem.The elevator upgrade will take around a year and in the mean time RIOC plans to expedite fixing the broken elevator and is trying to avoid the freezing problem that was causing it to break in the first place.

Aaron Hamburger and Frank Farance have been talking with Cy Opperman at RIOC on certain bus related issues. On April 1, there will be no fares on the red bus, but the street parking fees will double to make up for lost revenue.


Housing Committee arranged a mortgage seminar

On Wednesday February 26, 7pm at the bank, Amalgamated Bank will be providing a mortgage seminar for residential housing.


Experts List Outreach

The experts list, an initiative of the government relations committee, is a panel of residents who have attained the highest levels in their chosen fields and who have agreed to make themselves available pro bono mostly to help address specific ad hoc questions and issues. I hope that by compiling such a list it will become easier for the community to seek answers and develop collaborative strategies with other interested parties such as RIOC and elected officials who might want to run questions and ideas by specialists in fields about generally accepted principles. We need anyone with a little time and energy to volunteer their expertise on issues they really care about. It could be you. We need people with all sorts of expertise who understand engineering, architecture, information systems. We need organizers, artists, designers technicians, educators, attorneys, psychologists, social workers, scientists. We hope by developing a panel of experts and interested volunteers ready to step in for particular issues and interests that we should speed the process of aiding and helping to build our community. You would help amplify and improve RIRA’s and perhaps RIOC’s ability to develop plans and responses to evolving issues.

Some concerns we face are land-use and facility development issues. For example the Motorgate arcade is a large space which could be put to good use. Another example might be to propose utilization of the old tram cars. Uses evolve, and there are fields and parks to be considered. Finally without regard to specific projects it would be wonderful if your expertise could help build an overall strategic plan could be developed to carry Roosevelt Island forward further into the 21st century.

Youth mentoring may be an important component and an opportunity for all sorts of people in the community to spend a little time to work with their neighbors, and maybe aid someone in need of occasional help and some information.

You can certainly help in your field of interests and also provide services in the community. For example, during the Cornell ULURP year we needed engineers, scientists, construction experts to read various chapters of an 800 page draft environmental impact study and give their comments. We were fortunate to have the benefit of some scientists, engineers, a City planner and attorneys to read the relevant sections. But we could have used more. People move in and out of volunteer work and we need an easy way to reach experts as we need them. If you are willing to periodically give us the benefit of your knowledge, please email your interest to RIRApresident@gmail.com with the subject line Experts List. Also, you may attend one of RIRA’s ongoing committees. We will be asking RIOC and the elected officials how they could use occasional expert input and will be developing a template for each expert to complete. But first we need more members on our government relations committee. If you would like to help us develop the questionnaire for this experts list, please join the government relations committee.


Thank you for your time and again thank you for the opportunity to serve you and the community.

This is Ms. Polivy's final RIRA President's Report after resigning last week from RIRA.

Ms. Polivy has accomplished many positive things for the Roosevelt Island community on RIRA, should be proud of that work and thanked for her contributions to the community.

Roosevelt Island Southtown Korean Pavilion Proposal, Four Freedoms Park Usage, Ferry Service, Air Quality And Cornell Campus Subject Of RIRA Planning Committee Meeting On Monday, January 6 - You're Invited To Learn And Share Information On These Subjects

Are you interested in learning more about the future of  Roosevelt Island development and providing input on important issues involving your community?

If the answer is yes, Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Planning Committee Chair Frank Farance invites you to attend the next RIRA Planning Committee meeting tomorrow evening. According to Mr. Farance:

There will be a RIRA Planning Committee Meeting on Monday, January 6, at 8 PM in the Island House (555 Main) Community Room. Given the length of the agenda, attendees should expect the meeting will last 90 minutes, I will do my best to keep it as short as possible.

The following is the proposed agenda.

1. Opening Remarks

2. Information Sharing On Korean Pavilion

- Note: Personally, I have been asked to provide input to the Korean Association on questions/info about RIOC and their process. I don't feel comfortable having a private meeting because I am also Chair of the RIRA Planning Committee. As I said at the December Common Council meeting: I believe the community needs an open and transparent process towards long-term features of Southpoint Park, and I believe that organizations (such as the Korean Association) need to be treated fairly and consistently with their proposals. By having such an open discussion, I feel that addresses both goals.

3. Development of a RIRA Position On Four Freedoms Park usage policy
- Note 1: We (RIRA Planning Committee) have determined that FFP Conservancy is not a leaseholder on the property, thus RIOC controls its operations. The purpose of developing the RIRA position is (1) to acknowledge that RIOC is in control and it should take charge, (2) to express the desire that RIOC develop a use policy, with input from the community, on the kinds of uses are permitted/prohibited, such as what can/can't be brought into the park (e.g., presently, children are not permitted to juice/milk in the park), and (3) all use/permits be coordinated through RIOC.

- Note 2: We might also develop a position on a proposed ferry stop at FFP. In short, I believe it is the position of Common Council members (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that putting a ferry stop at FFP might deter the Island getting a ferry stop next to the Subway/Pier (which was the most desirable spot, according to a RIOC study).

4. Prepare Request For Long-Term Monitoring of Air Quality by City/etc.
- Note: There are increasing concerns about air quality with the decades long construction of Cornell, and other industrial work around us (e.g., power plant). Rather than a piecemeal approach, we seek a coordinated strategy with appropriate data/analyses sharing such that the air quality on Roosevelt Island can be monitored and, if necessary, appropriate actions can be taken to address short-, medium-, and long-term concerns. In addition, we might find other neighborhoods (Sutton Place, Queens West, LIC/Ravenswood, Astoria, etc.) who might want to partner, collaborate, and/or support our efforts. Such a nested grid (data fusion) approach might help reduce False Negatives (air quality problems that exist, but go undetected) and False Positives (e.g., air quality problems attributed to activity on Roosevelt Island, but are in fact broader problems in our area).

5. Investigate, Analyze, and Make Recommendations on RIOC Seawall work.
- Note: I've heard that RIOC is starting a new project. There have been several seawall projects on Roosevelt Island in the past several decades, we (RIRA) need to provide community input/review on RIOC's proposed work.

6. Recent Cornell Agreement With City
- Note: We need to discuss this, understand it better, and provide analysis and commentary.

See you there.