The lack of public bathrooms on Roosevelt Island has been a problem for many years...
When you gotta go, where do you go on Roosevelt Island? The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) may have a solution.
During the February 3, 2025 RIOC Real Estate Development Advisory Committee meeting, Acting Chief Operating Officer Mary Cunneen reported a plan to install a Portland Loo public bathroom at Firefighters Field.
According to Ms Cunneen:
... We haven't finalized the location but
probably if you're standing by the tram at the northeast corner of Firefighters Field, right where the water
fountain
is.
The proposed location next to Firefighters Field is a few feet from the Roosevelt Island Tram and Riverwalk residential buildings.
The lack of public bathrooms on Roosevelt Island has been a problem for many years. As reported in 2007:
... Good Day: I was visiting Roosevelt Island yesterday.
I basically had a nice time, residents were very
friendly, but I was unable to find any public
restrooms....
Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy is concerned about the lack of public bathrooms on Roosevelt Island. Ms Berdy shares this message she sent last Saturday to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) leadership team of Chief Financial Officer Dhru Amin and Acting Chief Operating Officer Mary Cunneen upon learning that the Cornell Tech Cafe is closing during the upcoming holidays from December 21 to January 5 making its public bathroom unavailable. According to Ms Berdy.
Every day dozens of visitors and residents arrive at the kiosk in need of bathroom facilities.
As you can see from the message below there will be an urgent bathroom shortage starting next week.
In the past Cornell Tech has accommodated visitors in the bathrooms at Bloomberg Cafe.
We have referred people to Southpoint Park which is really difficult if they are not on their way to Southpoint Park.
We know that the sewer work has been done and assume that the two bathrooms in the station should be in operation.
We Know it is a challenge to have visitors use the station bathroom., but the only other solution is opening the two
bathrooms in Sportspark for visitors. Use of these bathrooms will not interupt the function of Sportspark, a RIOC facility, not a private club.
RIOC has never been good at accommodating the toilet needs of visitors or residents.
The use of portable facilities in mid-winter is unreasonable and unsafe.
Please send us your solution Monday or Tuesday since Cornell Cafe will be closed starting Wednesday.
The Roosevelt Island Tram bathrooms were closed today.
The Southpoint Park bathrooms were open and in use today,
a short 5-10 minute walk from the Tram.
RIOC Communications Director Bryant Daniels replied to Ms Berdy that bathrooms in the Sportspark will be available to the public.
According to Mr Bryant:
The westside Sportspark bathrooms near the main entrance are open for the general public to use while the Tram station bathrooms are offline. Judy you and your team can let folks know as needed, there is now no sign on the door about no public bathrooms.
Signage will be necessary to make sure that people know the Sportspark bathrooms are available for the public to use.
Roosevelt Island resident Janet Falk has been trying to get the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) to install bathroom facilities near the Octagon Tennis Courts for at least 2 years.
To the relief of Roosevelt Island tennis players, portable toilets
were available
at the Octagon Tennis Court today.
Sometimes you just gotta go during a match
and now you can at the Roosevelt Island Octagon Tennis Courts.
Nothing was more welcoming than the smile of Jack McManus. A staunch
supporter of youth sports and beloved Chief of the Roosevelt Island Public
Safety Department from 2013 to 2019, you could always count on seeing Jack
enthusiastically greet the soccer players he coached on the field that now
bears his name.
With the opening of the McManus Field Welcome Station, we hope that there
will, once again, be a steadfast welcoming presence on a field that Jack
loved so much.
Originally built in 1994, the $5.4M renovated McManus Field Welcome Station,
designed by landscape architects, Abel Bainnson & Butz and building
architects, Jack L. Gordon Architects, offers artful and energy-efficient
upgrades that transform the dated comfort station and surrounding area into
an inviting, accessible, and holistic focal point.
The most notable enhancement to the building is the 2,000 square foot green
roof covered in a mix of sedum plants. This roof has already begun to serve
as a habitat for natural wildlife, increasing local biodiversity. It will
mitigate storm water by retaining rainfall and acting as a filtration system
that will help purify and evaporate rainwater before it reaches sewers.
Additionally, it will provide shade, reduce urban heat, improve air quality,
and extend the life of the roof by protecting it from extreme temperatures
and direct ultraviolet radiation.
The building and surrounding area are now completely ADA accessible and
include an expanded communal area with added picnic tables and natural
seating created from existing stones, allowing approximately 150 individuals
to enjoy the area where, previously, only 20 would be accommodated. Recycled
wood that sustainably and visually relates to the surrounding recreational
green space clads the exterior. The incorporation of natural elements
continues with the addition of over 1300 shrubs, new trees, ornamental
grasses, and perennials that together shape a lush, 8,000 square foot urban
oasis.
Area pathways have been improved for safer travel while drinking fountains,
an irrigation system, and storage for field grooming equipment have been
added. Concessions are expected to open in the fall of 2021.
Unfortunately, RIOC reported today:
The McManus Welcome Station restrooms are currently closed for servicing. We
will let you know when the facilities have reopened.
I asked RIOC why the restrooms needed servicing days after they opened. No response yet.
Chief Jack McManus was beloved by many members of the Roosevelt Island
community.
As reported in 2019:
...
On Tuesday June 25, members of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee and other residents gathered together to tell Chief
McManus how much he has meant to our community and to thank him for his
service. It was a remarkable occasion of residents expressing their deep
personal affection and respect for Chief McManus and appreciation for the
positive transformation and professionalism he brought to the Roosevelt Island
PSD after years of tension and conflict between many in the community and the
PSD. There was much love, laughter and even tears in the room.
Watch the video of what happened. It was a wonderful time and Chief McManus
deserves all the respect, appreciation and love that was shown in the room...
UPDATE 9/9 - From RIOC:
Restrooms at the McManus Welcome Station are now open. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you kindly for your patience.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced last Friday:
Please be advised, due to needed maintenance repairs, the Southpoint Park Comfort Station is currently closed.
An update will be sent when the Comfort Station reopens.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
I asked RIOC today:
What type of "maintenance repairs" are needed at the Southpoint Park
bathrooms.
In the past there has been an issue of contaminated water at Southpoint
Park. Is contaminated water an issue regarding the Southpoint Park
bathrooms being closed?
When do you anticipate the problem being fixed and bathrooms opening?
RIOC Public Information Officer Amy Smith replied:
We have no knowledge of contaminated water as you suggested.
During the review of a maintenance work order, a leak was observed late
Friday afternoon. We have engaged professional plumbers to repair the
issue and anticipate the work to be completed this week.
3.
Authorization to Approve Amendment
of Lease with Riverwalk 8 Housing Development Fund Corporation and Riverwalk
8, LLC for Southtown Building #8 (Board Action Required)
... The Proposed Budget FY 2021‐22 projects capital improvements in the amount
of $11,910,000, a decrease of $27,882,000 over the Approved Budget FY 2020‐21
amount of $39,791,000....
... RIOC’s Proposed Budget FY 2021‐22 projects revenues of
$32,809,000, a decrease of $2,766,000 or 7.78% over the Approved Budget FY
2020‐21 amount of $35,575,000....
.... Commercial rents are projected to increase by $46,000 or 2.78% due to
contractual escalations.
Tramway revenues are projected to remain at same level as the Approved
Budget FY 2020‐21....
... For grant and community support, the Proposed Budget FY 2021‐22 includes
an extraordinary expense of $1,340,110, an increase of $172,519 over the
Approved Budget FY 2020‐21 amount of $1,167,591. This is mainly due to
increased costs for community service and the allocation of youth center
personnel cost to support such service....
RIOC attributes most of the decrease in capital improvement spending to the
completion of various projects, rescheduling of Sportspark renovation to
fiscal year 2022-23 and the postponement of work on Dayspring Church and
Motorgate Plaza/Atrium (RIOC Budget Page 1). Not sure what work on Dayspring Church was scheduled since it is now The
Sanctuary, a private Events Space/future restaurant.
The proposed budget does not address impact of Coronavirus Pandemic on
commercial rent and Tramway revenue.
Another item on RIOC Board Agenda for tomorrow is an
Amendment to Riverwalk Building 8 Ground Lease
which releases the developer, Hudson Related (Tenant), from constructing a
Comfort Station at Firefighters Field and:
... instead have Tenant pay RIOC the sum of $1,000,000 in full satisfaction of
its obligation under the Building 8 Lease with respect to the Comfort Station
Work, so that RIOC will have those funds available for other construction
projects on Roosevelt Island.
Reaction from Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy and Roosevelt Island Residents Association President Rossana Ceruzzi.
From Ms Berdy, deliberately all in CAPS:
YOU ARE HOISTING FRAUD ON THE ISLAND AGAIN. MEETINGS WITH NO PUBLIC INPUT ARE A SHAM
TEARING DOWN OUR CHERRY TREES TO BUILD A BIKE RAMP IS A JOKE. WE HAVE SEEN BIKERS DO NOT GIVE A DARN ABOUT SAFETY AND WILL STILL GO DOWN THE HELIX!!
WE GET A FEW DOZEN BIKERS ON A WEEKEND. THERE IS NO GROUNDSWELL OF BIKE RIDERS HERE.
LOOSING ANOTHER GREEN AREA IS SHOWING THE CONSTANT REMOVAL OF GREEN FOR CEMENT AND UN-NECESSARY PROJECTS..
WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANY RENDERING OF PLANS IN A YEAR, PRINCE SHAH...WHERE ARE THE PLANS IN A PUBLCI PLACE?
WE DEPERATELY NEED BATHROOMS AT FIREFIGHTERS FIELD. THE ONE BATHROOM AT THE TRAM CANNOT SERVICE THE DOZENS OF TOURIST AND ATLETES WHO NEED TO RELIEVE THEMSELVES. I ASSUME RIOC'S RESPONSE IS TO USE THE TREES AS TOILETS.
THIS PANDEMIC HAS LEAD TO AN EPIDEMIC OF BAD DECISIONS BY RIOC.
OUR PUBLIC SAFETY LEADERSHIP IS M.I.A.
WE HAVE NEW, INEXPERIENCED OFFICERS, WHO KNOW LITTLE OF THE ISLAND AND HAVE NOT BEEN TAUGHT HOW TO DEAL WITH THE PUBLIC. THEY ARE BODIES, BUT NO SOUL FOR THE JOBS......ROBO-OFFICERS. WHERE IS TRAINING AND INTERPERSONAL INSTRUCTION KEVIN?
SHELTON-
TIME TO BE OPEN AND HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THE FAUX-MEETINGS. TIME TO TAKE OFF YOUR MASKS AND BE OPEN AND PUBLIC.
From Ms Ceruzzi:
This is an open statement expressing opposition to the “Bike ramp” as listed in the 12/29/20 RIOC Board of Directors Agenda under “New Business”.
While it is always important to treat the community with respect, it is very important to do so when controversial plans are being discussed. This project it's yet another rush through job that has NOT been presented to the community for consideration and when residents feel ignored or pushed around, dialogue becomes difficult. This is another project that will chop down trees in exchange for a bike ramp. Do we have any alternatives? What is the purpose of it? Who will it serve? Why has the escalator been out of service for over a decade? Escalators that would provide service to seniors, disabled and alleviate the congestion on the elevators at Motorgate?
Most importantly the idea that RIOC is holding Board meetings where the public or Island representatives cannot speak up is unacceptable. Why were the public sessions stopped?
How can the community participate in the formulation of plans if no public session is held?
The pandemic should not be used as "the" excuse not to have public sessions in fact, Elected Officials have been holding Town Halls via Zoom platform regularly.
RIOC needs to be accountable to the community and the bottom line is that communicating with the community is a crucial attribute for the successful outcome of any venture.
We urge RIOC to reconsider this plan.
UPDATE 6:30 PM:
The Bike Ramp authorization was removed from RIOC Board Agenda tonight for further study.
UPDATE 9:30 PM - The RIOC Budget and Riverwalk 8 Lease Amendment were approved. Firefighters Field comfort station deferred.
$1 million allocated for Comfort Station to be used by RIOC for "Health & Safety" projects instesd. RIOC staff did not say what are Health and Safety projects and none of the Board Directors asked.
UPDATE 12/30 - Here's video of the RIOC Board discussion about the proposed Motorgate Bike Ramp.
Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy shares message she received from a visitor complaining about the Southpoint Park bathrooms.
According to the visitor:
Day before yesterday I went to Roosevelt Island for a walk. I had to use the bathroom but half of them were closed. I got into one bathroom and then got locked inside because the door was jammed.
I tried to push the door but that was so hard to push The bathroom was so hot i was about to lose my sense.
Then I screamed and a guy came and opened the door by the third time.
Do you think its a best way to welcome our tourists? I know I'm from New York.
What if someone from outside of New York got this same situation????
I hope you will unlocks all the door from the back and repair your door.
Ms Berdy adds:
... a common complaint that half the bathroom at the Southpoint entrance are closed and locked.
With the weather warming up, and Cherry Blossom Festival tomorrow, expect alot of Roosevelt Island visitors looking for a bathroom to use.
As you can see this porta-potty placement is extremely unfortunate.
I doubt it was deliberately placed to mar the view over Eleanor’s Pier.
So, could you please ask Royal Flush to move this unit close to the end of the sea-walk (perhaps by the Starbucks garbage enclosure). I’m sure a dire need for Royal Flush could definitely be addressed by walking a quick couple of yards south.
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Information Officer Alonza Robetson replies:
Thank you for forwarding your reader's question. The portasans belongs to our seawall railings contractor who dropped the unit off Friday in preparation for work in that area. Back on site today, after the weekend, the contractor moved the portasans inside the barricades of their approved work area at the Southtown West location.
Please be advised that, due to emergency plumbing repairs, the Octagon Comfort Station is currently closed until further notice. Portable toilets are on site today, Friday, April 28th. Due to the heavy use of the Octagon Field, they will be serviced and cleaned daily.
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.
