Cornell NYC Tech Says Campus Residential Building Will Have No Impact On Roosevelt Island Transportation During Presentation Yesterday At CB 8 Meeting - Building Design, Height, Garbage Pick Up, Migratory Birds Safety And More Discussed

The Roosevelt Island (RI) Committee of Community Board 8 (CB 8) met last night for a presentation by Cornell NYC Tech of the proposed new residential building component of their Roosevelt Island campus.

Cornell NYC Tech Residential Building Rendering From You Tube Video

RI Committee Chair Larry Parnes began the meeting noting that after the presentation, the committee would decide whether or not to make any recommendation to the full CB 8 Board at its Land Use Committee meeting on May 14 and then after full CB Board recommendation the design will be reviewed by the NYC Public Design Commission.

There will be 356 units with up to 500 students, faculty and staff in this 26 story, 285 foot tall residential building. Here is the Cornell NYC Tech Residential Building presentation by Cornell NYC Tech Assistant Director of Government and Community Relations Jane Swanson and Blake Middleton of Handel Architects, representing The Hudson Companies, developers of the residential campus building (also the developers of Southtown).

Part A



Part B



Following the presentation there were questions from the audience. When it was my turn, I asked about transportation, garbage pick up and more. According to Ms. Swanson and Hudson Companies David Kramer, there would be no adverse impact on Roosevelt Island subway, tram and parking from the Cornell NYC Tech residential building.



The question and answers started here.



More questions on garbage collection, trucking construction materials and migratory bird safety



and concerns that the residential building is too tall creating a wall blocking the Cornell campus from the rest of the community.



Following the question and answer period the CB 8 RI Committee discussed whether they should make any recommendation to the full Community Board on the design of the Cornell NYC Tech residential building. A motion was made to approve the design with a modification to include a sidewalk curb cup for garbage pick ups. After some discussion and a straw vote, it appeared that the Committee would not approve the motion with 2 members approving (Mr. Parness and Ms. Polivy), 2 members disapproving (Ms. Berdy and Ms. Buck) and one member abstaining (Mr. Escobar).

Ms Berdy and Ms. Buck objected to the height of the building which they saw as creating a wall between the campus and the rest of the community.  (The building height was approved during NYC ULURP process). Mr. Escobar indicated in the straw vote that he was abstaining because he thought it important that the views of Ms. Berdy and Ms. Buck be presented to the full Community Board.

After much discussion among the Committee Members and with the Cornell representatives, Mr. Escobar voted to approve the motion with the condition added that the views of Ms Berdy and Ms. Buck be included in the minutes for the full CB 8 Board Members to review.

The motion to approve the design was approved.

Architect Blake Middleton responded to some of the community concerns noting:

The city is an ever changing place. NY will continue to grow. It is the nature of cities to do that. Successful cities. If this city, New York, stops growing, forget it, we're all in big trouble. The question is how do you plan, how do you do make it work in a way that is congruent with neighborhood needs as well as what the city and all who live and work here need...

Cornell NYC Tech Presentation On Roosevelt Island Campus Open Space Plan And Co-Location Building At Community Board 8 Meeting Tomorrow - NYC Planning Commission On Roosevelt Island/Western Queens Transportation Study Too

The Community Board 8 (CB 8) Roosevelt Island Committee will meet tomorrow to hear presentations from the NYC Department Of City Planning on the Western Queens Transportation/Roosevelt Island Study

Image From NYC DCP via Tri State Transportation Campaign

and Cornell NYC Tech campus on Roosevelt Island.

Image From Construction Tech Cornell

According to the Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Committee

Meeting Date:
Thursday, November 14, 2013 - 6:30pm
Meeting Location:
Manhattan Park Theater Club
8 River Road Roosevelt Island, NY
New York, NY

1. Introduction of new committee public members

2. Presentation by Department of City Planning of its Western Queens Transportation Study which includes the Roosevelt Island Bridge – joint issue with the Transportation Committee

3. Presentation by Cornell of:
a. The schematic design for the co-location building that they will be bringing to the Public Design Commission for preliminary review approval. This will include renderings, site plans, etc
b. The open space plan as part of the commitment to the BP’s office during the ULURP process.

4. Old business

5. New business

Jeffrey Escobar and Laurence Parnes, Co-Chairs

More information on construction of the new Cornell NYC Tech Roosevelt Island campus available here.

UPDATE 11/16 - Video of the NYC Planning Department Western Queens/Roosevelt Island Transportation Study presentation to CB 8 Roosevelt Island Committee here.

Cornell NYC Tech Lease With NYC Economic Development Corp Disapproved By Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Committee - Full CB 8 Will Vote On Lease Tonight And Manhattan Borough Board Tomorrow

Reported yesterday that:

... CB 8 Roosevelt Island Committee recommended disapproval of EDC lease with Cornell NYC Tech at last night's meeting.  Full CB 8 Board will vote on the issue Wednesday July 17. The EDC, Cornell and elected officials reps did not look very happy following the meeting. ...

Community Board 8 (CB 8) Roosevelt Island Committee (RI Committee) Member Ellen Polivy tells us why the RI Committee recommended disapproval of the NYC Economic Development Corp (EDC) lease with Cornell NYC Tech for the Roosevelt Island campus.

The CB8 Cornell committee voted unanimously to recommend a no vote to the full Community Board asking that our Chair vote at the Borough Board to deny the lease to Cornell. Reasons: not enough of our community agreements and protections are built into the lease to protect the community from Cornell defaulting on their agreements. We are hoping for the EDC to come back to us with a better lease agreement so they can have a unanimous vote at the Borough Board.

CB 8 RI Committee Member Jeff Escobar adds:

Simply put and speaking individually as a Committee Member but not on behalf of the Board: there were serious concerns and reservations among members of the Committee that the commitments made and negotiated with Cornell were not sufficiently incorporated and integrated into the terms and the provisions of the lease between the City and the Land Development Corporation, as to be assigned to Cornell, so as to properly protect and meet the interests of the community. Many commitments and items which were previously promised by Cornell to be either flushed out or better defined at the time of the execution of the lease were either "still being worked out," as was repeatedly stated by representatives of both Cornell and the EDC during tonight's hearing, or incorporated by reference rather than integrated as operable provision of the lease.

A lease of this size, type and magnitude should be well defined and leave no room for question as to what are the obligations of the parties under the leasehold, the milestone and timelines for certain commitments and events, terms and triggers of default, etc. It became very clear as testimony wore on that this clarity was not integrated within the lease; rather, the EDC thought it more proper to just attach the community commitments of Cornell as an attachment to the lease (vis-a-vis a letter drafted by Cornell, itself, which members of the community and the Committee stated at the meeting does not succinctly and specifically represent the expected community commitments by Cornell) rather than to take the time to review, craft and integrate each of the commitments as specific and actionable provisions, covenants, representations and warranties within the lease itself. It is for these reasons and others which gave members of the Committee pause and unwillingness to merely approve and rubber stamp the disposition, and persuaded the Committee to unanimously vote to disapprove the disposition at this time.

I asked Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Jessica Lappin, who negotiated the letter agreement commitments for the Roosevelt Island community with Cornell NYC Tech, for her reaction to the CB 8 RI Committee lease disapproval recommendation. Ms. Lappin replied:

I am confident that with Cornell, RICC, RIRA, RIOC, Community Board 8 and the elected officials working together the commitments made to Roosevelt Island will be met. Everyone wants this project to succeed for the benefit of Roosevelt Island and our city as a whole.

The Cornell commitment letter agreements to the Roosevelt Island community are here and here.

The EDC had no comment at this time.

During the July 15 CB 8 RI Committee Public Meeting, Cornell NYC Tech, EDC officials and a representative of Ms. Lappin's office were stunned at the disapproval recommendation by the RI Committee. They maintained that the commitments made by Cornell NYC Tech were fully enforceable even though they were included in the lease as an attachment.

Here's part of that discussion between CB 8 Board Members and the EDC, Cornell and Council Member Lappin representatives.



Full discussion by CB 8 RI Committee members is here.

Regardless of  tonight's CB 8 vote outcome, the Manhattan Borough Board (MBB) will vote on the EDC/Cornell NYC Tech lease Thursday morning. The MBB is made up of NYC Council Members from Manhattan and the Community Board chairs but only the NYC Council Members and the board chair that represents the area in which the project is locates votes on the matter, in this case CB8. The borough president also votes.

Community Board 8 will be meeting 6:30 tonight at The NY Blood Center to discuss this and other issues.  

EDC President Seth Pinsky announced yesterday that he was leaving EDC to join a real estate firm. According to Capital New York:

... Pinsky, who has served in the position since 2008, has spearheaded some of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's most controversial economic development projects, like the redevelopment of Willets Point, as well as some of its most lauded, like the agreement to create a Cornell-Technion campus on Roosevelt Island....

I would have loved to hear Mr. Pinsky's reaction when he was told of CB 8 RI Committee vote recommending disapproval of the EDC/Cornell NYC Tech Lease. Can you imagine?

UPDATE 7/18 - The Manhattan Borough Board this morning voted 10 - 0 with 2 abstentions to approve the EDC/Cornell NYC Tech lease for the  Roosevelt Island campus.

Speaker Christine Quinn abstained, as she does on all votes, and CB 8 Chair Nick Viest abstained as well. Mr. Viest explained that CB 8 could not come to an agreement at last night's meeting approving the recommendation of lease disapproval by the Roosevelt Island Committee nor could it reach an agreement on a separate motion to approve the lease. Therefore, Mr. Viest abstained.

The final agreement Cornell must now reach is with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp.

How Will Cornell NYC Tech Commitment To Roosevelt Island Community Be Enforced? - CB 8 Roosevelt Island Committee Public Meeting Tonight To Discuss The Issue

Manhattan Community Board 8's (CB 8) Roosevelt Island Committee will be meeting tonight to discuss the Cornell NYC Tech project. According to the CB 8 Roosevelt Island Committee:

Meeting Date:
Monday, July 15, 2013 - 6:30pm
Meeting Location:
Manhattan Park
4 River Road, Community Room,
New York, NY

Submission by the New York City Economic Development Corporation to the Manhattan Borough Board pursuant to Section 384(b)(4) of the New York City Charter of a lease to Cornell University to develop NYC Tech Campus on Roosevelt Island.
Old Business
New Business

Jeffrey Escobar and Laurence Parnes, Co-Chairs

A CB 8 Roosevelt Island Committee member reports:

The meeting is open to the public who will have an opportunity to speak.

We will not be revisiting the project. One of the concerns will be how the commitments made by Cornell are incorporated into the lease and what provisions exist for accountability and enforcement of these commitments. The presentation is being made by the Economic Development Corporation but Cornell is expected to be present.

As previously reported, Cornell's commitments to the Roosevelt Island community include:

... Council Member Jessica Lappin negotiated to secure many commitments from the Administration and Cornell NYC Tech. The city has pledged to contribute funding to a one-year summer ferry service pilot program and has designated an NYPD liaison to ensure continued safety and security on Roosevelt Island. The university has committed to:

· Undertake the most aggressive voluntary use of barging in New York City, which will reduce the number of construction vehicles on Roosevelt Island by more than half, as compared to traditional building techniques.

· Partner with New York City middle schools to create Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics (STEM) programs, with a special focus on girls. Initial pilot programs will begin at P.S./I.S. 217 on Roosevelt Island, M.S. 406 in East Harlem, and I.S. 204 and P.S. 111 in Long Island City, Queens. Starting this summer, Cornell NYC Tech will sponsor an immersion program for girls in these schools to learn coding, web design, robotics and mobile development under the mentorship of some of the industry’s top engineers and entrepreneurs.

· "Adopt" the local school on Roosevelt Island, PS/IS 217, by providing programming such as teacher training and support, after school programming, tech events, career day options, and hardware and software programming development.

· Conduct air monitoring throughout the project, including demolition, excavation and construction. The results of this monitoring will be posted on the construction website.

· Engage extensively with the Roosevelt Island community by creating a construction task force with residents and others; researching ways that technology can enhance the lives of the disabled and the older adults on the Island; providing computers and training to senior center members and the disabled community; providing a tech fair to advance technology education for the disabled; working with the community to program outdoor space for children....

and:

Click here for the Letter Agreement detailing the commitments made by Cornell NYC Tech to City Council Member Jessica Lappin, the entire City Council and the Roosevelt Island Community which are included as part of the lease agreement between the NYC and Cornell for the Goldwater Hospital site.  In addition to the commitments included in the lease agreement, NYC Deputy Mayor’s Robert Steel sent this letter dated May 2 2012 to Ms. Lappin regarding NYC contributing operating funds for a  pilot Roosevelt Island ferry service and NYPD monitoring security concerns for the new campus.

UPDATE 7/16 - CB 8 Roosevelt Island Committee recommended disapproval of EDC lease with Cornell NYC Tech at last night's meeting.  Full CB 8 Board will vote on the issue Wednesday July 17. The EDC, Cornell and elected officials reps did not look very happy following the meeting.

Stay tuned for more.

Roosevelt Island Cornell NYC Tech, Q102 Bus, Bicycle Sharing, Queensboro Bridge Access and Relocation of Goldwater Hospital Patients On Agenda For May 30 Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Committee Meeting

The Manhattan Community Board 8 (CB 8) Roosevelt Island Committee will be meeting on Roosevelt Island Thursday May 30. According to CB 8:

Meeting Date:
Thursday, May 30, 2013 - 7:00pm
Meeting Location:
Manhattan Park
4 River Road, Community Room
Roosevelt Island, NY

Introduction of co-chairs and committee members.
Discussion of role of Community Board 8 and the formation and role of this committee
Review of recent island issues reviewed by CB 8 and its committees
(a) Cornell-Technion Project/Cornell-Technion Task force
(b) MTA Q102/ Transportation Committee
(c) Queensboro Bridge Bike Access/Transportation Committee
(d) CitiBank Bike Share Program/Transportation Committee
(e) Relocation of Goldwater Residents/Health, Seniors and Social Services Committee
Volunteers to be public member
Public Session – open discussion

Jeffrey Escobar and Laurence Parnes, Co-Chairs 

During May 21 Roosevelt Island Community Coalition (RICC) meeting updating residents on Cornell NYC Tech project (here's video of full meeting at Part 1 and Part 2), Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Co-Chair Jeff Escobar reported 



on the CB 8 Roosevelt Island Committee goals and objectives.

Roosevelt Island Cornell NYC Tech Land Use Application Overwhelmingly Approved By Community Board 8 Wednesday Night ... With Conditions - ULURP Land Use Process Continues, Next Step Borough President, City Planning Commission and City Council

The Cornell NYC Tech Roosevelt Island Land Use Application passed its first test of the NYC Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) Wednesday night with the overwhelming approval of Community Board 8 (CB 8). The vote was 32 in support, one opposed, 3 abstaining and 1 not voting though there was an exhaustive list of conditions attached to the approval resolution representing the concerns of Roosevelt Island residents and the Roosevelt Island Community Coalition (RICC)

Here's  Part 1 of what happened beginning with a brief review of the project by Cornell NYC Tech VP Cathy Dove followed by CB 8 members discussing the resolution including conditions



and Part 2 (about 1 minute is missing between Parts 1 and 2)



According to the ULURP process, CB 8's approval has no decision making authority but its recommendations are advisory and establishes a record as part of the ongoing ULURP process.

Cornell's ULURP Land Use Application now goes on for review by the Manhattan Borough President's office, Planning Commission, NYC Council and the Mayor's office.

Image From Manhattan Borough President's Office Presentation (Page 19)

Will have more later including the CB 8 Approval Resolution, with conditions, and statement form Cornell NYC Tech.

Stay tuned.

UPDATE 1:40 PM:
Received this statement from RICC Co-Chair, CB 8 member and Roosevelt Island Residents Association President (RIRA) Ellen Polivy:

Congratulations to all the Island organizations who are members of the Roosevelt Island Community Coalition (RICC) for thinking through your needs and expectations,  read the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and spoke at the public hearings. Thanks to the RICC Board who spent hundreds of hours compiling and organizing and fought so hard at all the hearings and meetings to give Cornell an accurate picture of our community and our expectations. And thanks to the Roosevelt Island CB8 members who accurately represented the Community's concerns in writing the report that was voted on tonight. Cathy Dove's speech was a beautiful example of what can happen when a big development and a community works together. Tonight's vote was a win for everyone. We've got a long way to go, but we have a good start.

Ms. Polivy adds:

Here is the draft report that we voted on with a minor friendly amendment that requests that Cornell take the community's requests into account when dealing with parking spaces. The official document will be produced in a few days and you can replace this with that when we get it.

The other is a nice letter from Cathy Dove in response to our last meeting.

Tonight the Community showed its power. Thanks to RICC, Larry Parnes, Jeff Escobar and I were able to write a very good report that passed the Community Board overwhelmingly. It was a very successful document that creates a win-win-win-win. Everyone is happy right now. Us, Cornell, the elected officials....

The RICC Board is continuing our conversations with Cornell and Jessica Lappin and soon will be meeting with Scott Stringer's office for another stage in the process. It will be important for the City Planning hearings to get a huge showing from the Island.

The CB 8 Draft resolution with conditions set forth is here. It was approved with the addition of a "friendly amendment" not yet available in printed form. The "friendly amendment" was a recommendation to Cornell to increase the number of planned parking spaces for the project which Cornell wishes to limit in order not to encourage increased automobile traffic on Roosevelt Island. (Will have more on this subject soon)

Cornell NYC Tech VP Cathy Dove's letter to CB 8 is here. An excerpt:

On behalf of the entire Cornell community, many thanks to the members of the Community Board Task Force and the numerous residents, community groups and civic organizations of Roosevelt Island that we have met with over the past several months. Our meetings with the community began even prior to being named as the university who will build this transformational campus. To date, our Cornell team has participated in dozens of meetings with members of the Community Board, the Roosevelt Island Task Force, and various Roosevelt Island organizations including the Roosevelt Island Community Coalition (RICC). These meetings have been extremely informative, and will help ensure that Cornell is the best neighbor possible to the Roosevelt Island community

As part of this process, Cornell has received a number of questions from Roosevelt Island residents, board members, and organizations, and has responded in detail to those questions in forums, as well as in two separate documents. Those questions ranged from questions on the environmental review, to questions about the land use proposal and campus plans, to questions about Cornell’s role in the broader Roosevelt Island community. While we understand that the Community Board Office has distributed the written questions and our responses, we are also attaching them to this memo.

At the last public hearing, Linda Heimer did a wonderful job of summarizing resident questions and concerns. She appropriately recognized that Cornell cannot “fix everything on the Island,” but wants to make sure that we work closely with the community and “support positive improvements.” We completely agree and are committed to doing so.....

The written responses from Cornell NYC Tech referenced by Ms. Dove are here and Cornell NYC Tech Press release is below.

Manhattan Community Board 8 approved Cornell Tech’s Roosevelt Island Campus plan last night as part of New York City’s public land use review process. The plan now continues through the process with review by the Manhattan Borough President, followed by the City Planning Commission and City Council. The Community Board’s approval came exactly one year after Cornell University, with its academic partner the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, was selected by the City to develop the applied science and engineering campus. The Roosevelt Island campus will sit on a 12-acre site and is slated to open in2017, with full build out in 2037.

“Roosevelt Island has a fantastic history of innovation and civic participation, and we were still gratified by the interest and support of so many Islanders from day 1,” said Cornell Tech Vice President Cathy Dove. “We are appreciative for the support of our new neighbors and assure them that the construction and operation of the campus will be handled in a way that protects, respects and welcomes the rest of the Island. We look forward to continuing the dialogue about this innovative new campus with New Yorkers during the public review process and beyond.”

The Community Board approval caps a first year full of milestones for Cornell Tech, which will welcome its first “beta” class of students in January:

· Leadership Put in Place: In February, Dan Huttenlocher and Cathy Dove were chosen as co-leaders of the campus, and Craig Gotsman was chosen to lead the Technion-Cornell Innovation Institute. Soon after, former Twitter CTO Greg Pass joined Cornell Tech as the founding Entrepreneurial Officer to lead the campus’ collaboration with the tech industry and Deborah Estrin, an applied sciencetech pioneer, became the first full-time faculty member.

· Three of the world’s leading tech entrepreneurs – Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Qualcomm Founder Irwin Jacobs, and Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt – announced in September that they will provide ongoing guidance on the programmatic and physical development to help shape the vision for the campus.

· Temporary Campus Opens: Google allocated space in its Chelsea building free of charge to Cornell Tech while the university completes its campus on Roosevelt Island. The space allowed Cornell to launch its presence in NY in close proximity to tech companies and entrepreneurs with whom it will collaborate.

· Campus Plan Developed: Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne of Morphosis was chosen to design the first academic building for the planned campus on Roosevelt Island. The 150,000-square-foot building will serve as the flagship academic structure for the new campus. Other award-winning architects are contributing to the campus - the campus plan is being designed by Skidmore,Owings and Merrill and the landscape architect is James Corner Field Operations.

· Academic Programs Launched: Classes will start in January 2013 at the Chelsea campus for a “beta” class of computer science Masters of Engineering students.

· Partnership Formed with Dept. of Commerce: Cornell Tech announced a partnership with the U.S. Commerce Department to give students and researchers direct access to resources that will help them bring their ideas to market and grow their businesses.

“This is such an exciting time and place to be launching Cornell Tech, with the support of the City, our neighbors and the tech community,” said Cornell Tech Dean Dan Huttenlocher. “When our beta class arrives in January we’ll be debuting a new curriculum built on academic excellence, interdisciplinary focus and entrepreneurial spirit, all with the goal of spurring innovation and supporting economic growth in New York and beyond.”

Cornell Tech’s new campus is offering a distinctive model of graduate tech education that fuses educational excellence with real-world commercial applications and entrepreneurship, rooted in the latest academic research. Students, faculty and industry experts will learn and work together to launch ideas and create new ventures that have global impact. The campus will attract the best and brightest in technology, immerse them in an entrepreneurial culture with deep ties to the local business community, and spur the creation of new companies and new industries in New York City. The campus master plan reflects Cornell Tech’s commitment to innovation not only in the academic program for the campus but also in its physical development. The new campus will include up to 2.1 million square feet of development, housing approximately 2,000 full-time graduate students, by full build-out in 2037. The first phase will include up to 790,000 square feet of development, including the first academic building and reflecting all of the uses that will be in place at full build-out.

As Ms. Polivy stated, there is still lots to be done.

Report From Cornell NYC Tech VP Cathy Dove On Academic Goals And Vision For Roosevelt Island Campus - Video Presentation Of Project At CB 8 Land Use Committee Hearing With Questions And Comments From Residents Including 9 Year Old Girl Asking For Cornell's Help

Cornell NYC Tech Vice President Cathy Dove

Image of Ms. Dove at December 12 CB 8 Land Use Committee Public Hearing

sends this report to the Roosevelt Island community.

It was almost exactly one year ago – December 19, 2011 – that Cornell was chosen to build the applied sciences graduate campus on Roosevelt Island that we have now named Cornell Tech. For everyone at Cornell Tech, and for me personally, it has been a whirlwind year as we’ve worked hard to create an innovative new academic program and plan an open, sustainable physical campus here on the Island.

So for this week’s column I wanted to take a step back and share some thoughts about why Cornell is so committed to this campus and the impact it will have on economic development and higher education in New York and beyond. Over time we estimate that the impact from this campus alone will create thousands of jobs and have a huge impact on New York’s economy. Our mission is important and so we wanted to share some details of our approach with you.

First, though, let me share a quick update on our conversations with the Roosevelt Island community that are occurring right now as part of the official land use review process (ULURP). It has been wonderful to see so many people attend each of the meetings we’ve held with Community Board 8. We’ve heard a clear and consistent message from the community: Roosevelt Island strongly supports Cornell Tech but wants to make sure that the construction and operation of the campus are handled in a way that protects, respects and welcomes the rest of the Island.

We’ve been working hard to fully answer every question that we’ve received, and we’re pursuing potential solutions on some of the most commonly raised issues, including barging of materials to reduce the impact of construction. As I’m writing this column we’re preparing for a Community Board hearing on December 12, and I hope to see many of you at future meetings throughout this process.

But my goal for this column is to provide a deeper understanding of the academic goals and vision for the new campus, which can sometimes get lost in all of the vital conversations going on about the details of planning the physical campus.

Cornell Tech is designed to address two significant issues slowing innovation and economic development in New York and around the country. The first issue, identified by the City, is that the enormous growth of our tech sector is being held back by a shortage of top-level tech talent in New York. The second, broader challenge is that the way we innovate and commercialize research ideas in this country is changing, and universities and companies both need to adapt to remain at the forefront of technology innovation. It is time for new thinking about how industry and academia work together.

Cornell Tech is being designed with these challenges in mind. It is a graduate- level campus focused on the applied sciences and engineering, particularly those areas related to the information economy that play such a central role in New York City. With a burgeoning tech sector, the City is increasingly home to local technology firms as well as offices of national and global technology companies. In addition, almost every NYC-based industry is highly reliant on technology to drive its business. Cornell Tech is creating the academic environment to help power these companies, grow new companies, and develop whole new industries driven by technology and information.

We’re creating a distinctive approach to graduate education and research in technology. Our campus will foster the development of technologies that are rooted in the latest academic research and address real-world problems. We will create a campus culture that blends academic excellence and commercial impact together with societal good. Students and faculty – in close collaboration with industry experts – will learn and work together. And, befitting New York City’s role as the “capital of the world”, Cornell has forged an academic partnership with the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. Together the two universities will be offering dual degrees and innovative programs on the campus.

Research and education at Cornell Tech will be undertaken with potential commercial and societal outcomes in mind from the outset. The campus will be highly interdisciplinary, bringing both deep disciplinary excellence in core technology fields such as computer science and electrical engineering, and creating cross-cutting focal areas that we term “hubs”. Initially three hubs are planned, in Connective Media, Healthier Life, and the Built Environment.

The hubs serve as focal points for the research and educational mission of the campus, bringing together particular sets of disciplines that are most relevant to domains of particular commercial relevance in New York City. Thus all three initial hubs focus on areas where information technology is rapidly affecting large industry sectors in the city – the advertising, media and entertainment industries for the Connective Media hub, the health care and insurance industries for the Healthier Life hub, and the building, architecture and urban planning industries for the Built Environment hub. As technology and its relation to particular industry sectors changes, so will the interdisciplinary focal areas; thus the lifetime of hubs is expected to be from a few years to a decade or two.

In addition to conducting research that addresses real-world problems, the campus will offer a number of graduate degrees. The State of New York has approved five one year professional degrees including Masters of Engineering (M.Eng.) in Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Operations Research, a Master of Professional Studies in Information Science, and an Accelerated MBA for students with technical backgrounds. We are launching the first of these – the M.Eng. in Computer Science, in January 2013 on our Chelsea campus. In addition to these Cornell degrees, with Technion we anticipate offering three unique two- year dual degrees focused on the hub areas, which will result in both a Cornell and Technion diploma. Finally we will also have a number of Ph.D. students on our campus.

This is a new approach and a rare opportunity to create a new campus and curriculum from scratch. We’re extremely excited about the possibilities and so grateful to be creating this campus in a community with a history of innovation.

Below is video from the December 12 Community Board 8 (CB 8) Land Use Committee meeting referenced by Ms. Dove. During the meeting a motion was approved to vote on Cornell NYC Tech's ULURP application at the December 19 CB 8 Full Board Meeting. Also, here's a 40 page question and answer sheet on the Cornell NYC Tech Project and a letter from Ms. Dove setting forth the benefits of the project to Roosevelt Island and the rest of NYC.

The December 12 CB 8 Land Use Committee meeting began with a young Roosevelt Island girl asking for Cornell's help and continued with Ms. Dove and other Cornell NYC Tech representatives presenting their plan



followed by questions and statements from Roosevelt Island residents



and Community Board





8 members.

Community Board 8 Land Use Committee Meeting Tonight, May Vote On Roosevelt Island Cornell NYC Tech Project - Cornell Puts In Writing What It Will Do For Roosevelt Island Community And NYC

Cornell NYC Tech Proposed Campus (page 23 CB 8 Presentation)

The Community Board 8 Land Use Committee will be holding a Public Hearing tonight on the Roosevelt Island Cornell NYC Tech project. The committee may vote on the Cornell land use application tonight or wait until the full Community Board meeting on December 19 to vote.

The Roosevelt Island Community Coalition (RICC) is asking for another large turnout (previous meeting on October 22 and November 26 drew large numbers of residents) of Roosevelt Island residents for tonight's Community Board 8 Land Use Committee Public Hearing. According to RICC:

TONIGHT, December 12th, is our first -- and last--chance to speak to the full component of Community Board 8 before they begin approval process for the Cornell project.

These are the 50 people who will decide approvals and restrictions for the Cornell Project, and most of them barely know who we are or why we are so passionately concerned.

Please show up!

Community Board 8 Meeting

Wednesday, December 12th, 2012, 6:30 PM

Manhattan Park Theater Club

8 River Road (across from Gristedes)

According to the CB 8 Land Use Committee:

Meeting Date:
Wednesday, December 12, 2012 - 6:30pm
Meeting Location:
Manhattan Park Theatre Club
8 River Road, Roosevelt Island
New York, NY

Public Hearing: Cornell NYC Tech, 1 Main Street, Roosevelt Island - Cornell University and the New York City Economic Development Corporation are seeking a number of discretionary approvals to support and allow for the development of the Cornell NYC Tech applied science and engineering campus on Roosevelt island. The land affected by the proposed action is approximately 19-acre parcel located south of the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge and is bounded on the north and south by an existing roadway encircling the existing Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility’s Goldwater Memorial Hospital on the east and west by the New York City pier head and bulkhead lines. An approximately 123.4 acre portion of the project site would serve as the Cornell NYC Tech Campus and the remainder would be preserved for waterfront access and waterfront enhancing uses. In order to allow for the redevelopment of the project site, Cornell and NYCEDC are requesting: (1) Zoning Map amendment to change the project site zoning from R7-2 to C4-5 and to establish the Special Southern Roosevelt Island District over the project site (2) Zoning Text amendment to create a new Chapter 3, Article XIII to the New York City Zoning Resolution governing the Special Southern Roosevelt Island District, including special bulk, use, parking and public access controls for the Special District (3) Disposition of City-owned property from the City of New York (via the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS)) to the New York City Land Development Corporation (NYCLDC) which will dispose the property to the New York City Economic Development Corporation or any successor thereto for a subsequent proposed long-term lease or sale to Cornell (4) Amendment to the City Map to make a one-way loop road surrounding the proposed Cornell Campus (the Loop Road) and the connections between the Loop Road and the main street on Roosevelt Island part of the City’s formal street system

Cornell NYC Tech Vice President Cathy Dove sent this letter dated December 9 to CB 8 Chair Nick Viest (full copy of letter is here):

On behalf of Cornell University, thank you for your consideration of our land use application. We greatly appreciate the time and energy that not only you and your members, but also the staff of Community Board 8, have dedicated to this project.

As you are undoubtedly aware, Cornell has been maintaining an ongoing and open dialogue with the Roosevelt Island Community Coalition (RICC) and the Roosevelt Island community at-­‐large. Our dialog with the Roosevelt Island community predates Cornell's award in the competition in December of 2011 and will continue going forward.

 It is our understanding that over the past year, RICC has worked closely with a number of Roosevelt Island-­‐based leaders, businesses, community groups and other organizations. Based on their findings, the RICC developed a list of recommendations that they believe will enable Cornell NYC Tech to integrate into the fabric of life on Roosevelt Island and enhance the quality of life of its residents. The dedicated individuals of the RICC are to be commended for their hard work, all done on a volunteer basis.

The RICC has made several recommendations, and in keeping with its mission as the land grant university of New York State, Cornell has agreed to adopt a number of the recommendations put forth by the RICC.

 Cornell believes that these adopted recommendations are in alignment with the purpose and mission of the campus, will make a positive impact on the community, and will enable Cornell to be a good neighbor to all Roosevelt Island residents.

The specific RICC recommendations that Cornell has agreed to adopt include:
 • Provide space for community groups to meet and provide access for Roosevelt Island organizations to auditorium space, when available;
• Be fully compliant with ADA requirements such as incorporating accessibility features on campus such as a "looping" system for hearing impaired and disabled access (universal design);
• Investigate the feasibility of providing reduced rates for hotel space for Island residents, when accommodations are available;
 • Work closely with PS/IS 217 to implement Roosevelt Island pilot programs focused on tech education for middle school students. Work with other age groups too;
• Work with our Cooperative Extension Office, and designate a campus person to work on outreach programs with community;
 • Work with the community to program outdoor space for children;
 • Provide computers and help with computer training for members of the Senior Center;
• Create mentoring programs for the Island's population of post-­‐high school young adults;
• Create a "shadowing" program for Island middle school students to accompany scientists and observe academic/laboratory process;
 • Create an environment in which Cornell NYC Tech technology students can research ways that technology can enhance lives of older adults and the disabled;
• Provide consideration to Island organizations and services prior to working with outside organizations when feasible;
• Preserve the Goldwater WPA murals, and consider preserving and displaying other Island historic artifacts, where appropriate and feasible;
 • Provide Islanders opportunities to announce Island news and cultural events to Cornell faculty, students, and staff through electronic community bulletin boards, postings, and newsletters;
• Post Cornell NYC Tech employment and sub-­‐contracting opportunities and cultural opportunities via email, WIRE, blog, and local bulletin boards;
• Provide primarily non-­‐monetary support for community's cultural and religious events;
• Provide computer training for the disabled group, and investigate the donation of Dragon software; and
• Sponsor a "tech hackathon" to advance technology education for the disabled.

We believe these commitments are positive steps toward integration of the Cornell NYC Tech campus into the Roosevelt Island community, especially since they were agreed upon in a short period of time, less than one month since Cornell received RICC's recommendations.

 In addition to the many recommendations from RICC that have been adopted by Cornell, there are many additional benefits not mentioned in RICC's request that Cornell will bring to not only Roosevelt Island residents, but also to the entire region. These benefits include:

• The development of a world-­‐class institution that will enhance the visibility of Roosevelt Island and will spur job creation in the tens of thousands;
 • The introduction of a vibrant campus community that will help to support retail opportunities along the Main Street corridor;
• The creation of thousands of job opportunities, including campus operations, where a goal of 15 percent of available staff positions will be targeted to those living below the poverty line and job training will be provided;
 • The creation of two and a half acres of publicly accessible open space:
 • The development of an educational program that will impact 10,000 students and 200 teachers with a special focus on PS/IS 217 on Roosevelt Island;
 • The creation of a $150 million investment fund that will encourage and spur start-­‐up companies in New York City; and
 • The means to diversify New York's economy by contributing graduate students who will not only begin companies but will support and lead existing industries in New York City.

While Community Board 8's formal role in the ULURP process ends shortly, this process is just the beginning of what we believe will be a very positive and ongoing relationship with the Roosevelt Island community. We are so pleased to be joining this great community, and look forward to being model neighbors as we create a campus that is a source of pride for Roosevelt Island and the entire city of New York.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

Here's what happened during December 10 meeting of the CB 8 Cornell Technion Roosevelt Island Task Force.

Part 1



Part 2



Part 3



and Part 4



Update 11 PM - The Land Use Committee heard a presentation by Cornell representatives, statements and questions from Roosevelt Island residents and then asked questions of Cornell representatives. No vote was taken tonight but a motion was passed to vote on Cornell's application at the December 19 CB 8 Full Board Meeting.

Will post video of the meeting soon.

UPDATE 12/14 - Video of December 12 CB 8 Land Use Public Hearing.

Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Cornell Task Force Meeting Tonight, Full CB 8 Land Use Committee Public Hearing on Cornell NYC Tech Wednesday and Borough President Stringer Seeking Applications For 2013 Community Board Members - Are You Interested?

Received this message from Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer's office seeking Roosevelt Island residents interested in being considered as candidates to join Community Board 8 (CB 8).  From Borough President Stringer's office:

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer is appointing the 2013 class of Manhattan’s Community Board members, and one of them could be you – or your readers. We hope you can include this flyer in your coverage, which advertises three upcoming information sessions:

Thursday, December 13th 6:30 - 8:00 pm - Municipal Building, 1 Centre Street, 19th Fl

Tuesday, December 18th 6:30 - 8:00 pm - 163 West 125th Street, 8th Floor -

Tuesday, January 8th 6:30 - 8:00 pm - Municipal Building, 1 Centre Street, 19th Fl

More information on CB 8 here and CB 8 Chair Nick Viest discusses below how he got involved and what the Community Board does.



Later tonight, the CB 8 Cornell Technion Roosevelt Island Task Force will meet. Here's the Agenda:

Meeting Date:
Monday, December 10, 2012 - 6:30pm
Meeting Location:
4 River Road
Community Room
Roosevelt Island, NY

Continued Discussion of Cornell Technion Task Force recommendation/resolution.

Nick Viest and Jim Clynes, Co-chairs

On Wednesday, December 13 the CB 8 Land Use Committee will be meeting on Roosevelt Island. According to Agenda Item 1:

Public Hearing: Cornell NYC Tech, 1 Main Street, Roosevelt Island - Cornell University and the New York City Economic Development Corporation are seeking a number of discretionary approvals to support and allow for the development of the Cornell NYC Tech applied science and engineering campus on Roosevelt island. The land affected by the proposed action is approximately 19-acre parcel located south of the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge and is bounded on the north and south by an existing roadway encircling the existing Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility’s Goldwater Memorial Hospital on the east and west by the New York City pier head and bulkhead lines. An approximately 123.4 acre portion of the project site would serve as the Cornell NYC Tech Campus and the remainder would be preserved for waterfront access and waterfront enhancing uses. In order to allow for the redevelopment of the project site, Cornell and NYCEDC are requesting: (1) Zoning Map amendment to change the project site zoning from R7-2 to C4-5 and to establish the Special Southern Roosevelt Island District over the project site (2) Zoning Text amendment to create a new Chapter 3, Article XIII to the New York City Zoning Resolution governing the Special Southern Roosevelt Island District, including special bulk, use, parking and public access controls for the Special District (3) Disposition of City-owned property from the City of New York (via the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS)) to the New York City Land Development Corporation (NYCLDC) which will dispose the property to the New York City Economic Development Corporation or any successor thereto for a subsequent proposed long-term lease or sale to Cornell (4) Amendment to the City Map to make a one-way loop road surrounding the proposed Cornell Campus (the Loop Road) and the connections between the Loop Road and the main street on Roosevelt Island part of the City’s formal street system

40 Pages of Question And Answers on Roosevelt Island Cornell NYC Tech - Also, Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Cornell Task Force Meeting Tonight To Discuss Recommendation To Full Board

Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Cornell Technion Task Force will be meeting tonight. According to CB 8:

Meeting Date:
Tuesday, December 4, 2012 - 6:30pm
Meeting Location:
Manhattan Park Theatre Club
8 River Road, Roosevelt Island
New York, NY

Executive Session of Task Force to craft Cornell-Technion resolution

While the meeting is open to the community and anyone is allowed to attend, there will no public statements or comments taken. The purpose of this meeting is for the Task Force members to discuss among themselves the information they received from Cornell and all other interested parties in order to draft a resolution recommending action by the full board.

During the November 26 Cornell Roosevelt Island Task Force meeting, Community Board 8 Chair Nicholas Viest explains what will happen at tonight's meeting



Below are some answers from Cornell NYC Tech to questions submitted during the November 26 CB 8 Roosevelt Island Task Force meeting. (Full video of meeting is here). The full question and answer response from Cornell NYC Tech is here.

Q -  Looking for partnerships to support early childhood education (Page 1)

A - We are willing to work with all age groups of children on Roosevelt Island, although we plan to focus our efforts on students who are in middle school as this is a pivotal time to interest them in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. Our interaction will involve direct student interaction, support for teachers, and family engagement. We have initiated discussions with, and look forward to continuing to work closely with PS/IS 217 to determine the specific programs that will be most useful to make that school a model in STEM education. Re: timing, while significant programming requires faculty and graduate student involvement, in advance of having significant numbers of those resources we will be partnering with several NYC institutions who have demonstrated expertise in K-12 programming. We would be happy to have the next planning meeting with PS/IS 217 within the next 90 days to begin more detailed planning.

Q - Community needs its own environmental consultant, to be paid for by Cornell
An Environmental Management Report should be prepared for this project and be reviewed and concurred by all stakeholders. Should have independent consultant monitor construction (Page 2-3)

A - During the abatement, demolition and excavation of the site, a third party monitor will be appointed and information will be available to the community. As a requirement of the Remedial Action Plan (RAP)/Construction Health and Safety Plan (CHASP) governing hazardous materials, reviewed and approved by NYCDEP, third- party monitoring will be conducted to ensure compliance with these Plans. A P.E.-certified Remedial Closure Report will be prepared at the completion of each phase of the project to document and demonstrate that all remedial activities have been properly implemented.

In 2013, we will establish a Construction Task Force with the community which will receive regular and detailed updates and will ensure an on-going dialogue with the community about environmental concerns and construction generally.

Q - Should commit to security plan to address terrorism concerns (Page 3)

A -  All major universities, including Cornell, take security very seriously. Given our existing presence in NYC, we are familiar with some of the challenges of balancing the needs for security, with the desire for an open campus in the City. We have already begun planning and we will work with the appropriate experts and agencies on security issues.

Q - Should use barges. Barging is preferable, could expand to include ferry service and construction of permanent dock; explore ferry service as mitigation for traffic impacts; RIOC completed a ferry study (Page 4)

A - Cornell presented our work to date on barging to the community on 11/26/12. As indicated at that meeting there are several options that look promising and we are continuing the analysis as well as meeting with appropriate agencies to discuss the feasibility of the various options.

While the Cornell project is not dependent on ferry service, we agree that ferry service would be great for the island and therefore would like to work with other owners and stakeholders to achieve this goal.

As we continue to explore barging we will look for opportunities to utilize those facilities for passenger service. Currently our analysis shows that barging requires a set-up very different than passenger-oriented infrastructure, but we will continue to look for synergies.

Q - 50% of materials should be locally sourced (within 100 miles of site) (Page 6)

A - We are committed that our campus will be a minimum of LEED-silver. LEED provides credit for materials sources within a 500-mile radius (which for NYC includes a lot of water!), and all of our past LEED projects have achieved this LEED objective. We typically encourage both architects and contractors to help in achieving this goal – architects by specifying materials that can be supplied locally/regionally, and contractors by including local suppliers in the bid process. To achieve one LEED credit point, 10% (by cost) of the total materials have to be locally sourced and manufactured. To achieve two, 20% is the goal. We typically achieve both points as there is enough regional manufacturing to allow this without cost impact.

Q - Will Cornell be making concrete on site? ( Page 6)

A - Although we are reviewing the possibility, it is unlikely there will be a concrete batch plant on site. Extended permitting periods, environmental impacts (control of truck wash out, noise and dust, etc.) and the delivery of raw materials (gravel, portland cement, chemical additives) are all factors that are significant obstacles to making a plant a reality.

Q - Will Cornell help with the cost of the seawall that we all need to keep the Island intact and safe during storm surges? (Page 7)

A - We will not own nor control any portion of the promenade or seawall. The best protection against storm surges is raising the level of the site, as we are planning to do. To the extent that a barging plan impacts the seawall, we would make any necessary repairs at that location.

Q - Provide pedestrian access to 59th St. bridge (Page 8)

A - We think it is a great idea and are happy to initiate a study to examine the feasibility of pedestrian access to the 59th Street Bridge. However, construction of such a facility would be a significant capital investment beyond the scope of the Cornell campus.

Q - Disabled community is well respected on island and Cornell should make provisions for disabled, e.g. priority on buses (Page 8)

A - The Cornell campus is being designed in recognition of the needs of the disabled community and will be fully accessible.

Q - There would be 1,000+ vehicle trips each day on Main Street during the construction period for Phase 1. (Page 14)

A - The Draft EIS considers a worst-case scenario at the period of most intensive construction activities, and assumes that all materials will be brought in by truck (versus barging or other alternative methods that continue to be studied). With these conservative assumptions, the highest number of trucks in the peak construction period – the third quarter of 2015 – would be 67 per day, and the number of worker vehicles would be approximately 334. The number of trucks and worker vehicles would be less at other periods.

Moreover, not all of these vehicles would necessarily be on Main Street, as many of the workers would park at the Motorgate Garage because there will be only 100 parking spaces available at the Cornell site.

Q - What type of explosive materials will be used and its method of transportation to the Island? Method of handling the excavated soil, the existing ash layer (usually includes high level of metal including mercury), and the dust control? (Page 16)

A - Explosives will not be necessary to complete the rock excavation. All the rock material anticipated on site should be of a type that can be excavated by mechanical means.

Q -How is the helix ramp leading from the bridge to the island going to be improved to handle the huge heavy truck traffic anticipated? What would be the impact if the ramp had to be closed for repairs? (Page 18)

A- No improvements to the helix are proposed as part of the project. As with any transportation facility, including local roads, highways, and bridges, necessary repair would be conducted with the appropriate maintenance and protection of traffic and pedestrian flows, subject to review and approval by the entity having jurisdiction over the facility, which in this case would be RIOC. Cornell will be complying with the reduced load limits on the bridge and helix as approved by DOT.

Q - Why is there no modeling of traffic during AM and PM peak hours in the Study? Will there be traffic jams and backups across the entire bridge, on Vernon Blvd, and especially on Main St in the PM rush (it seems that there will be)? (Page 19)

A - The DEIS includes a detailed traffic impact analysis for the AM, midday, and PM peak hours and provides recommendation on potential mitigation measures where significant adverse traffic impacts were identified. On Roosevelt Island, no significant adverse traffic impacts were identified for Phase 1 and the impacts identified for Phase 2 could be addressed with the installation of traffic signals at two on-island intersections.

Q - Why is there no consideration of Cornell running its own shuttle buses for staff parking at Motorgate during peak hours rather than using overcrowded red buses? (Page 20)

A - The DEIS analysis identified the need to increase Red Bus service during peak construction and in Phase II to address anticipated increase in ridership, the cost of which would be paid for by Cornell.

Q - Construction trucks will be a truck every 8 minutes. (Page 23)

A -  During peak construction in the 3rd quarter of 2015 when an average of 67 daily truck deliveries were estimated, it is correct that there would be on average approximately one truck delivery every 8 minutes. However, as shown in Table 20-3 on page 20-12, the average daily truck deliveries during Phase 1 and Phase 2 construction were estimated at 37 and 21, respectively, which would be substantially less than what may be experienced during the peak quarter of construction.

 Q- Cornell must contribute to the Public Service Department in order to adequately increase the manpower that will be needed for maintaining security and safety for new residents and its facilities (referring to DEIS 4-4) (Page 24)

A - Cornell will have a security department that will work cooperatively with the Public Service Department and NYPD. As described in the DEIS, the proposed project does not meet the CEQR Technical Manual threshold for an analysis of police and fire protection services.

Q - No hazardous materials should be transported on main street (only barge) (Page 26)

A - To the extent that trucks are used either to bring in hazardous materials (e.g., fuels) or take out hazardous materials (e.g., asbestos removed prior to demolition or petroleum contaminated soil during tank removal or subsequent excavation), it would only be performed in strict accordance with the RAP/CHASP (e.g., covering of trucks containing soil) and applicable regulatory requirements, including those relating to state waste transporter permits and state/federal placarding rules.

Q - Privately Owned Public Spaces generally have 24 hour access – why should the public space on the campus be limited to certain hours? Concerned whether open spaces will be publicly accessible, and whether portion of waterfront connection will be enclosed (Page 37)

A - The public access area hours in the zoning text (open daily from 6am to 10pm between April 15th and October 31st and from 7am to 8pm for the remainder of the year) are the hours that apply to waterfront access areas under Article VI, Chapter 2 and accordingly are proposed for the development site given its proximity to the river on two sides. Hours of operation are included in the Zoning Resolution in virtually all cases where publicly accessible open space is required for development, as opposed to public plazas generating a floor area bonus. The reason for having stated public access hours is that there is a benefit to having hours of operation to control noise and promote a secure campus.

A maximum of 20% of the required open space may be covered, and some of this space could be located within buildings, provided that the space remains open and publicly accessible, and complies with the minimum height and other design requirements applicable to public access areas.

Q - What kind of academic research and what kinds of business will be here? (Page 38)

A - Because this is a tech campus, the research will be around data, software, and related hardware such as robotics and basic electronics. The businesses interested in locating on the campus are ones that will benefit from collaboration with the campus in these areas, either in the tech sector or in related industries.

Q - What is meant by "corporate co-location" use? (Page 39)

A - The first phase of the campus likely will include 100,000 square feet of corporate co- location space. The campus is designed to directly connect academic research with industry. The corporate co-location buildings will provide space for private companies, start-ups, entrepreneurs and other tech- related organizations that want to be located on campus with close access to the Cornell Tech students and faculty. Under our lease with the city, we are required to develop an academic campus including at least 620,000 sf of academic space, which will prevent the site from becoming a business district.

Click here for all 40 pages of questions and answers and here for the Cornell NYC Tech Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Cornell NYC Tech Presents Update On Use Of Barges, Zoning, Open Space And Other Issues To Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Cornell/Technion Task Force - Here's Video Of What Happened

 Image Of Barge Transporting Trucks To Governors Island From Corning Museum Of Glass

The Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Cornell Technion Task Force met last night. Here's video of what happened.

It began with a presentation by Cornell NYC Tech Director of Capital Projects and Planning Andrew Winters discussing the use of barges in the demolition of Goldwater Hospital and construction of Cornell campus. Here's what he had to say



followed by comments and questions from community members here



and here.



Will have more on the individual issues raised at last night's meeting in the coming days.

According to Roosevelt Island Community Coalition (RICC) Co-Chair (also President of Roosevelt Island Residents Association and Community Board 8 Member) Ellen Polivy:

Regarding the CB8 Cornell-Technion hearing. It was a great meeting. Great job each and every member of our community who participated. Thanks all of you for speaking and sending in your comments. Tonight we demonstrated the awesome power of a coordinated community. We were organized, focused and strong, a force to be taken seriously. The Roosevelt Island Community Coalition welcomes all community groups. Any group that wants to become a coalition member can send an email to ricommunitycoalition@gmail.com.

RICC Board Member Christine Delfico adds:

... information about how the public can comment follows but technically the deadline is "no later than 10 days after the Formal Hearing is held" by the lead agency and "no less than 30 days after a Notice of Completion has been issued". Therefore, sooner these are filed, the better.  Ellen Polivy is also fine to cc so RICC has a copy elpolivy@gmail.com and copying RICC at ricommunitycoalition@gmail.com

Jeff Escobar spoke with the Deputy Mayor's Office this morning, there are three ways to submit comments to the Draft EIS:

1. Via Mail to: Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination, 100 Gold Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York  10038

2. Via Email to: rkulikowski@cityhall.nyc.gov

3. Via the Webform at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mailoec.html.
In any correspondence, reference should be made to "Comments to Cornell NYC Tech DEIS."

If people wish to submit their comments electronically, they should do so via the email above and copy ricommunitycoalition@gmail.com.

The comments/issues raised re the DEIS will help shape what recommendations or requirements will be tagged on to the Task Force's resolution.

IMPORTANT CB8 MEETING:

Community members can and should attend the Dec 4th hearing - good for CB8 to see public scrutiny/present so that they do not rush into judgment.

Tuesday, December 4th
CB8 Meeting
6:30 PM
Manhattan Park Theater Club
Public can listen but not participate and this meeting is important because CB8 talks through their decisions.

Also, if you submit comments regarding the Cornell NYC Tech project, please send a copy to Roosevelt Islander so it can be shared publicly with the community.

More information on Cornell NYC Tech project at this previous post.

Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Cornell/Technion Task Force Update Meeting Tonight, Will Cornell Address Residents Health And Safety Concerns Over Main Street Truck Traffic And Use Barges For Demolition And Construction - What's The Benefit To Roosevelt Island Asks Resident?

Cornell NYC Tech Proposed Campus (page 23 CB 8 Presentation)

The Community Board 8 (CB 8) Roosevelt Island Cornell/Technion Task Force will be meeting tonight to receive an update from Cornell NYC Tech representatives and feedback from Roosevelt Island residents. According to CB 8:

Meeting Date:
Monday, November 26, 2012 - 6:45pm
Meeting Location:
The Manhattan Park Theater Club
8 River Road
Roosevelt Island, NY

1. An update by Cornell University on the Technology Graduate School on Roosevelt Island

Public Comment

2. A short presentation on green buildings and a request to use locally manufactured construction materials on the Cornell/Technion. Project by the Technical Services for the International Masonry Institute and Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union.

3. Feedback from Roosevelt Island residents on their issues/concerns

During October 22 Roosevelt Island Cornell/Technion Task Force Meeting, Skidmore Owings Associate Director Colin Koop discussed the Master Plan For The Cornell NYC Tech Campus as part of full presentation by Cornell NYC Tech representatives.



During the October 22 meeting, Roosevelt Island residents expressed strong disapproval of plans by Cornell NYC Tech to use trucks in the demolition and construction process on Roosevelt Island's only street - Main Street. Great concern was voiced over the detrimental health impact as well as traffic problems caused by the use of trucks but some say these concerns could be mitigated by the use of barges instead of trucks. Here's what one resident, Ali Schwaryi had to say about the use of trucks on Main Street.



Another resident, Theresa Munfakh asked what benefit will Roosevelt Island receive from being the home of Cornell NYC Tech other than its mere presence - how will Cornell NYC Tech improve Roosevelt Island outside the area of its immediate campus she asked.



During the November 8 meeting of the Roosevelt Island Community Coalition (RICC) Ms. Munfakh made the following points regarding Cornell NYC Tech's Draft Environmental Statement (DEIS):

1) The DEIS/EIS should state clearly that Barging is the method of transportation during the construction to bring material in and out. Trucking method should not be considered.

2) During the demolition of the hospital, all the hazardous material should be transported by barging. RI should not accept any other way.

3) There is no specific information concerning the type of foundations to be used. The concerns is if and what explosive materials are needed and the method of transportation. We all remember what happened recently on Second Avenue Subway Project.

4) The DEIS/EIS should include the right of Residents of RI to hire engineering firm /law firm to protect and assure that whatever is agreed upon will be executed and shall be paid by the city.

5) By closing the hospital and during construction, the residents of RI will be losing around 1,000 persons between staff and patients. That relates to loosing in revenue to the island for few years. Is it possible to figure the amount and do something about it?

6) RI has many old and beautiful trees that have to be protected and saved during construction. DEIS/ EIS should state clearly the method of protection.

7) RI as is has its own charm and surrounded by natural beauty. Cornell Science Center should not claim that the Center would beautify the Island. In reality it might create a negative impact.

8) Cornell Center project should include as a good gesture the replacement of the railing along the promenade. The Center will be using it as much as and could be more than RI Residents. The existing railing is deteriorated and does not meet NY City Building Code.

9) The restaurants/ retails that the Center intents to share with the residents of RI is because the 6oo students will not generate the required revenue and profits to attract and maintain businesses . The opposite could be true. After the Center maximizes its occupants, there will be a strong possibility to exclude RI Residents from its use. The Center can use safety and security as excuses to do that. We see this happening in Octegon. Outsiders cannot use its facility freely. The DEIS/EIS should state that this will never happen.

10) The mitigation Chapter requires more detail information in relation to cost, resource of the budget and who will implement these recommended mitigations.

11) What will be the solution for the unmitigated areas? Are we supposed to accept a problem without a solution?

12) While Cornell Center received the ground lease for no cost and the cost of construction, the case is not the same to RI. The staff and students will be using our facilities and benefiting from RI without adding their fare share to the cost of operation and maintenance. Rivercross pays RIOC annual fees. Does this apply to Cornell Center? It should, and it should be mentioned in the DEIS/EIS. The operation cost is to cover for:

a) Maintenance of the infrastructure/ roadways/ Utilities.
b) Repair and Maintenance of the Promenade
c) Repair/replace the railing along the promenade
d) Operating cost to maintain the safety, cleaning, etc... e) Maintaining the Helix ramp....

Also during the November 8 RICC meeting, CB 8 member and RICC Counsel Jeffrey Escobar explained the process required for the Cornell NYC Tech project to be approved. (Update 5:15 PM - added to last sentence - "approved, denied or changed")



Let's see if Cornell listened to Roosevelt Island residents during the October 22 meeting and have come up with some solutions to address the concerns expressed.

Here's the link to the Cornell DEIS and full video from the October 22 CB 8 Roosevelt Island Cornell/Technion meeting.

Stay tuned.