I spoke to FDNY Chiefs on the scene who report a worker was injured falling
approximately 15 to 18 feet into a hole at the Riverwalk building 9
construction site.
The rescued worker was in stable condition and transported to a hospital.
I asked building developer David Kramer of Hudson Related:
There’s been an incident this morning at construction site. Huge presence by
FDNY.
Not sure exactly what happened yet. Appears to be an injured worker. Do you
know yet what happened?
Mr Kramer answered:
This is what I understand: The worker was in the excavated area where we’re
doing Con Ed work. He fell from a 3’ ladder and unfortunately broke his leg.
DOB visited the site and didn’t issue any violations after characterizing the
situation as “worker error”.
As previously reported,
a worker was injured and rescued by FDNY at the Riverwalk building 9
construction site last August falling one floor from the 25th floor. The NYC
Department of Buildings did not find violations at the construction site.
I spoke with Hudson Related developer David Kramer last Monday at the building
site about the construction progress. According to Mr Kramer,
... We're
now at the exciting stage of concrete
where we pour a new floor every three
days, so a three-day cycle. We're pouring the fifth floor tomorrow, which is Tuesday
May 9th and we're pouring the sixth
floor Friday and so basically, if you
think about every three business days,
we're pouring a different floor. We're
getting to the top floor at the end of
August. We're assuming
we're going to top out this project
at the end summer, end of August.
Now
this is sort of an exciting part of the
construction where the concrete guys are
really running the show and pouring a
new floor every three days and they're
followed behind by the plumbers,
electricians, mechanicals and other subcontractors
who will always be a few floors below where
the concrete is poured....
.... Most important when we top out, we have a party and a Topping Out T Shirt...
Mr Kramer anticipates Riverwalk Building 9 being completed by the end of 2024, beginning of 2025.
Here's the full interview with Mr Kramer.
and a photo montage showing the progress of construction at the site.
... the lower eight floors of Riverwalk Building 9 will be
acquired by Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital for workforce housing
and the upper 19 floors will be market rate rental apartments.
Building 9 will have combined 7 thousand square feet of ground floor and below grade office
space for the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp with a separate entrance and
signage....
... Hudson Related will create a Public Commons space between building 8 and 9 that will include a new
dog run. picnic tables, grill stations, amphitheater steps, porch swings, hammocks and cherry grove as shown below....
More information on Hudson Related $187 million Riverwalk Building 9 project from this RIOC Memo
RELATED COMPANIES AND HUDSON CLOSE ON FINAL BUILDING OF ROOSEVELT ISLAND’S
RIVERWALK NEIGHBORHOOD
Riverwalk 9 will Complete the Quarter-Century Effort by Related and Hudson
to deliver a 9-Building Community with more than 2,000 Residences, Retail,
Restaurants, Parks, and more .
Project will Create 357 Much-Needed Apartments, including Workforce Housing
for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Employee....
Mr Kramer reported that the lower eight floors of Riverwalk Building 9 will be
acquired by Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital for workforce housing and the upper 19 floors will be market rate rental apartments.
Building 9 will have combined 7 thousand square feet of ground floor and below grade office
space for the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp with a separate entrance and
signage.
Mr Kramer added that the RIOC office space is:
... a sweetheart rent, probably not right
adjective to use, let's just say a below market rent that was part of the
negotiation....
Hudson Related will create a Public Commons space between building 8 and 9 that will include a new
dog run. picnic tables, grill stations, amphitheater steps, porch swings, hammocks and cherry grove as shown below.
Also, a portion of Firefighter’s Field will be closed to public access during construction of the Building 9 superstructure. This work will also include erecting scaffolding along the boundary between the south side of the Building 9 site and the north side of Firefighter’s Field, erecting of sidewalk sheds, and adding a temporary curb ramp and crosswalk.
Here's Mr Kramer's Riverwalk Building 9 presentation to the October 19 RIOC REDAC committee
More information on Riverewalk Building 9 from this RIOC Memo
Related Companies and The Hudson Companies today announced the closing on $185 million in construction financing for the ninth Riverwalk building, a development in the Riverwalk neighborhood of Roosevelt Island. The new facility will include workforce housing for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) employees, market-rate rental apartments, and office space. Wells Fargo provided financing for the housing development. The project was designed by Handel Architects and will be built by Monadnock Construction. Construction will begin in the coming weeks, with an expected completion in mid-2025. The $185 million project includes $111 million of financing from Wells Fargo. In conjunction with the closing, Related and Hudson are executing the ground lease for the site from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC).
“Riverwalk 9 is the realization of decades of hard work and resiliency through multiple challenges, including economic downturns and a global pandemic, to create new housing opportunities and further support the Roosevelt Island community and New York,” said Frank Monterisi, Executive Vice President at Related Companies. “We are proud to finally reach this monumental milestone, along with our partners at Hudson, along with Memorial Sloan Kettering, RIOC and Wells Fargo, for the Riverwalk Park neighborhood.”
“The start of work on Riverwalk 9 marks the culmination of a quarter century of work with our partner to build an entirely new and thriving neighborhood on Roosevelt Island,” said David Kramer, Chief Executive Officer of The Hudson Companies. “From our first planning meetings in 1997, we set out to bring these 19 undeveloped acres to life through mixed-income rental, condominium and institutional housing, dynamic retail, and beautiful new public open space. As we begin construction on the neighborhood’s final building, we’re proud to say we’ve achieved that vision. Thanks to our partners at Related, Memorial Sloan Kettering and RIOC, along with our funder Wells Fargo for their instrumental work in helping us reach this milestone.”
“The development of Riverwalk 9 marks the final phase of years of historical development at Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC),” said Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation President and CEO Shelton J. Haynes. “The timely closing of this deal is indicative of the hard work of all parties involved at RIOC and our partners at Related Companies and Hudson. I cannot wait to get shovels in the ground to unveil our latest investment that will continue the tremendous economic boom we are experiencing. Once completed, Riverwalk 9 will spur further job growth, create new housing, and contribute nicely to the beauty of Roosevelt Island.”
“Wells Fargo is excited to be a part of the final phase of the Riverwalk development with Related Companies, The Hudson Companies and Memorial Sloan Kettering, bringing much needed housing to Roosevelt Island,” said Brian Lucey and Anna Belobrovka, managing directors in Wells Fargo’s Commercial Real Estate group.
Located at 430 Main Street, Riverwalk 9 is the fourth development designed with housing for MSK employees as part of the overall Riverwalk neighborhood. The new 28-story building will consist of 104 homes for the MSK community with a range of studios, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom across eight floors, and 253 market-rate studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom residences.
The building will also include ground-floor office space for the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) and a commons space between the eighth and ninth buildings with new park lighting, a dog run, grill space, and acres of public open space. Amenities will include a fitness center overlooking the East River, a basketball court, a party room, a multi-sport virtual reality game room, and much more.
The start of work on Riverwalk 9 marks the culmination of a more than quarter century long effort by the Related-Hudson joint venture, which was designated by RIOC in 1997 to build the new community to fulfill the Island’s General Development Plan designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee. Once complete, the entire Riverwalk complex will include nine buildings with more than 2,000 condominium and rental apartments, 40 percent of which are affordable. The area also includes hundreds of institutional workforce apartments at a range of income levels in each of the nine residential buildings for employees of MSK, Weil Cornell Medicine and others.
At the same time, Related-Hudson has developed parks, daycare facilities and ballfields as part of the undertaking, along with much-needed retail along Main Street, where it owns 90,000 square feet across 33 stores. Since the joint venture was designated to take over the master lease for this half-vacant retail corridor in 2011, it has transformed the stretch through extensive renovations and outdoor seating areas, signage, lighting and benches. Today, it's a vibrant shopping area for Roosevelt Islanders. Riverwalk is a short subway and tram ride away from Manhattan’s Upper East Side and a one-ferry ride from Astoria and Long Island City.
For many people, the weekend is a time for a little bit of peace and quiet, especially early in the morning.
But for at least the last 2 Saturdays, the peace and quiet of some Roosevelt Island residents in Southtown was disturbed by the sounds of loud jackhammers at the Hudson Related Riverwalk 8 affordable housing building construction site (460 Main Street).
A Roosevelt Island resident reported Saturday, February 2:
Loud construction is normally not allowed in NYC on weekends. However, the new construction site has been jackhammering away all Saturday morning. How is this allowed? Our concierge seems to think RIOC is responsible. It’s really, really noisy!
The Department of Buildings allows for construction Monday to Friday between 7 AM and 6 PM. Construction done without an approved variance on weekends or on weekdays before 7 AM or after 6 PM is not allowed. Owners of one- or two-family homes may make alterations or repairs on Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM if their home is more than 300 feet from a house of worship.
Have you noticed the construction going on at the Roosevelt Island Tennis Bubbles between the Tram Station and Sportspark?
The construction is for facility upgrades being made to the Roosevelt Island Racquet Club which will include improvements to the walkways and lighting between the Tram Station and Tennis Bubbles.
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Information Officer Alonza Robertson adds:
The year-round indoor tennis facility has recently started its second stage of capital improvements.
Current construction upgrades include installation of more LED lighting for the courts, repair and replacement of corroded piping, new insulation, clubhouse improvements and a new water cooler for cooling.
These projects, which were permitted by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, have been in the design and engineering phase for the past 15 months. The facility’s management, in a binding resolution agreement with RIOC, also will make significant improvements to the walkways and lighting from the Tram Plaza to the entryway of the racquet club.
The construction work is expected to continue for 18 months.
... On July 1 the Library signed a lease for a property on the ground floor at 504 Main Street, which will be the site of a new Roosevelt Island branch. The new library will be more than double the size of the current library – which is only a short distance away at 524 Main Street – and is expected to be completed in 2017....
... The New York Public Library has already initiated the Roosevelt Island Library project with the New York City Department of Design & Construction (DDC), which begin working on architect selection, which, along with the contract development and registration process, will take approximately five months or so. Current projected schedule is to start design 12/2013 or 1/2014, start construction some time in 2015, and open the new branch in 2017, and the current budget is approximately $4.5 million....
In response to an inquiry from Roosevelt Island resident Matt Katz, NY Public Library Manager Carlos Chavez reports:
I am writing in response to your concern about the opening of the new Roosevelt Island Library at 504 Main Street. Thank you for your dedicated involvement with the planning of our new branch.
Construction is set to start September 2018 and conclude October 2019. The new Branch is opening early 2020. We appreciate your patience and support during this endeavor. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance in the future and I look forward to meeting you soon.
Yesterday, I asked Mr. Chavez:
Do you know why the Roosevelt Island new NY Public Library branch construction schedule is delayed?
We, the New York Public Library, are also asking the DDC why the project has been delayed. We have yet to receive an answer.
What has been communicated to us is that the DDC is working with our local elected officials to hold a public community meeting to address the delay, as well as the construction and opening dates I communicated to Matthew.
the beginning of work on the Roosevelt Island East River Ferry Dock or start of construction on new Riverwalk building 8.
I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal what was going on. Ms Rosenthal provided the answer:
New York City Transit and its sub-contractor Simpson & Brown are replacing anodes on the East Side of Roosevelt Island bulkhead to protect the steel shell of the 63rd St tunnel.
RIOC has learned that there have been increased sightings of vermin on Roosevelt Island due to our multiple ongoing construction projects.
While these projects are crucial to the development, maintenance, and modernization of our island, there is also the unfortunate danger of increased rodent activity, as they are displaced from their shelters. With this fully in mind, we are escalating all efforts on the island pertaining to extermination and garbage removal.
RIOC employs exterminators to service all indoor and outdoor RIOC facilities on a monthly basis and their next scheduled visit is this coming Tuesday, September 6th. The frequency of visits are subject to modification and we will investigate additional services for this current situation.
Also, notifications have been sent to all Roosevelt Island building managers to step up their efforts as well. We hope the community will assist us by making sure to dispose of all waste in proper receptacles and being proactive in keeping our island clean.
Click here for a live shot of the Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech campus construction site and NYC East River waterfront.
Roosevelt Island used to have web cams looking south from Southtown facing the Tram Station and looking north from the Octagon building but those web cams are no longer active.
If you have a Roosevelt Island web cam or know of one, please let me know and I am happy to share the link.
We all know Cornell Tech is currently building it's new campus on Roosevelt Island. In fact, there is a Cornell Tech Community Update Town Hall Meeting 6:30 tonight at the Manhattan Park Theater Club. You're invited to come to learn about the project and ask questions.
But did you know that Rockefeller University is also adding 2 acres to its existing 14 acre Manhattan East Side campus by extending over the FDR Drive right across the East River from Roosevelt Island? Have you heard the construction noise at night?
Earlier today, tugboats maneuvered a one thousand ton barge mounted crane next to the Rockefeller University East River construction site across from Roosevelt Island.
Rockefeller University Barge Mounted Crane Being Maneuvered Into Place Today
According to the Rockefeller University Stavros Niarchos Foundation–David Rockefeller River Campus construction update web site:
Superstructure “module” installation begins night of June 14
Beginning in the evening of June 14, prefabricated structural modules that have been built at a construction yard in Keasbey, New Jersey, will begin arriving by barge and will be hoisted into place by a 1000-ton barge-mounted crane – the largest such crane on the East Coast.
There are 19 modules weighing up to 1.5 million pounds each, to be installed throughout June and July. Each lift will take place between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., with the exact timing depending on a number of factors including the tidal flow of the East River. For safety reasons, the FDR Drive will be closed in both directions, between 61st and 96th Streets, during lift operations, and the East River Esplanade will be closed to pedestrian traffic between 63rd and 71st Streets...
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation–David Rockefeller River Campus initiative will add two acres and several buildings to the existing 14-acre campus of The Rockefeller University by extending the campus over the FDR Drive. The Niarchos Foundation–Rockefeller River Campus project will include new buildings with state-of-the-art laboratories, a dining commons, an academic center, and a conference center. As part of the project, the University will also repair the seawall along the East River and improve and beautify the public esplanade adjacent to the campus for the benefit of the greater New York City community.
More on the Rockefeller University Stavros Niarchos Foundation–David Rockefeller River Campus from this video
Are you a woman 18 years of age or older and in good physical condition interested in a NYC construction industry job? If yes, come to the Non Traditional Employment For Women (NEW) Roosevelt Island Recruitment Event 6:30 PM Thursday April 14 at Gallery RIVAA (527 Main Street).
Cornell Tech's Assistant Director of Government and Community Relations Jane Swanson reports:
Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW), is a wonderful organization that trains, and places women in construction careers – including carpentry, plumbing, and electricity. NEW serves as a direct pipeline for construction trades unions, providing women with skills and access to high paying jobs.
Cornell Tech, in conjunction with the Cornell Tech Community and Construction Task Force, is hosting a free outreach/recruitment event for women on Roosevelt Island. All are welcome! The event will be held on Thursday, April 14th 6:30 pm at Gallery RIVAA, 527 Main Street. Please note that you must rsvp to 212-627-6252.
Founded in 1978, NEW is a sector-based workforce development program that prepares women for careers in the construction, transportation, energy, and facilities maintenance industries. NEW focuses on skilled, unionized jobs in the trades with starting wages averaging $15 per hour, benefits, and a path to higher-wage employment. NEW primarily serves low-income minority women from all five boroughs in New York City. These careers enable NEW graduates to provide a secure future for themselves and their families.
The number of women construction workers in New York City has grown substantially as a result of a coordinated effort between NEW, labor unions, contractors, and government. With a commitment by these partners to place women in 10 percent of all new apprenticeship slots, more than 600 NEW graduates have found work as electricians, carpenters, plumbers, painters, ironworkers, operating engineers, and sheetmetal workers since 2005. An additional 225 women have found careers in the energy, transportation, and facilities maintenance industries. These women are changing their lives and the skyline of New York City.
Representatives of NEW, Kathleen Culhane and Jessica Suarez, spoke about construction job opportunities during the January 25 meeting of the Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Community & Construction Task Force meeting. Here's the very interesting discussion.
NEW also has a construction summer apprenticeship program for High School students as well.
If you or anyone you know is interested in attending the Thursday April 14 Roosevelt Island NEW Recruitment event at Gallery RIVAA (527 Main Street), please RSVP to to 212-627-6252
Image of Cornell Tech Campus Construction Seen From Queensboro Bridge From 1/25 Presentation
The Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Construction & Community Task Force quarterly meeting took place January 25.
Image From Cornell Tech January 25 Presentation
Cornell Tech Director of Capital Projects Andrew Winters provided the latest update on Roosevelt Island campus construction including status of:
Utilities infrastructure and Roadways,
Bloomberg Academic, Residential and Co-Location buildings and
Executive Conference Center and Hotel,
Mr. Winters took questions from the Task Force on:
Plans for hotel,
Landscaping Eastern Esplanade - will investigate Cherry Trees for area,
Job Opportunities for residents and
Air Quality monitoring
Followed by Cornell Tech's Jane Swanson describing an upcoming round table discussion between Cornell Tech and Roosevelt Island's Coler Hospital staff and patients to discuss how mobile technology can improve life of disabled population using mobile and wearable devices.
Here's the January 25 Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Community & Construction Task Force presentation slides.
Roadwork and Central Utility Plant – Work inside the Central Utility Plant continues with mechanical fit out and painting of the transformer vaults. Primary electrical distribution at the main feed from the street is underway. On the roof, screen wall posts are being installed and grouted in place. Roof flashing work is also ongoing. Enclosures for the rooftop mechanical units will be installed toward the end of this period. In the vault, cable racks and conduit installation work is ongoing. Utility infrastructure continues in the West Loop Road.
Co-Location Building – At CoLo, the first floor deck is being poured in the beginning of this period. Spray on fireproofing will also commence at the basement level. Steel erection continues and is currently on the 6th floor.
Residential Building – The superstructure will reach the 25th floor by the middle of the second week and form work will be underway for the 26th floor by the end of the period. Masonry in the interior continues as does mechanical and electrical sleeve installation throughout. Drywall for the Residential Building is being delivered via barge.
Bloomberg Center – At the Bloomberg Center, temporary lighting is being installed on the 3rd floor. Primary steel for the photo voltaic panel system is underway and will continue through this period. The second floor concrete deck will be prepped and poured in this period, and prep work for the 3rd floor deck will commence towards the end of the second week. Spray on fireproofing in the cellar will begin in this period.
... we will have a presentation from Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW). NEW prepares women for nontraditional careers in the construction, utilities, and transportation industries. It will be great to learn about their programs and to introduce them to Roosevelt Island....
RICC board members continue to stay involved with our elected officials and have attended important events such as the Dec 2015 Cornell Tech / 217 Start Up Event Presentation by Cornell rep about their roadmap for PS 217 and City Council Member Ben Kallos' State of the District.
Here are upcoming meetings we hope you can attend. Please spread the word to your members.
Please attend: Cornell Tech Community & Construction Task Force Meeting (public)
Monday, January 25th 2016 6-8 PM 546 Main Street, in the 12th Floor conference room
Note: Kicking off the meeting from 6-6:30 PM there will be a presentation by the Nontraditional Employment for Women organization (NEW, www.new-nyc.org). They specialize in training women for future employment in the construction, utilities and transportation industries. Please be prompt. For more information, please contact Jane Swanson Government and Community Relations at Jane.swanson@cornell.edu
Save the date: Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer 2016 State of the Borough:
Sunday, January 31st 2016 2PM
RSVP to this free event and hear how MBPO is supporting our borough: state-of-the-borough free tickets
Watch RICC Co-Chair & CB8 member Ellen Polivy interviewed Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright to find out how residents can make change through her office and legislation in Albany, NY. http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Rebecca-A-Seawright
2016 Cornell Tech Community Construction Task Force meetings:
January 25, April 25, July 25, October 24
All meetings are from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - open to the public
In an effort to continue an open dialogue between Cornell Tech and the community, this task force will meet quarterly.
Monday, 1/25 at 546 Main St. 12th Floor
Monday, 4/25 at Gallery RIVAA, 527 Main St.
Monday, 7/25 at Gallery RIVAA, 527 Main St.
Monday, 10/24 at 546 Main St. 12th Floor
Reminder, if you have concerns about construction or vehicles, please note the time, date, location, name on the truck and license plate and contact Jane Swanson at Jane.Swanson@cornell.edu or (646) 632 4907 for immediate action.
Sincerely,
Ellen Polivy and Judy Buck
RICC Co-Chairs
Just a reminder that the first quarterly meeting of 2016 for the Cornell Tech Community and Construction Task Force will be held on Monday, January 25th from 6 to 8 PM in the 12th floor conference room at 546 Main Street.
As we discussed at our October meeting, in addition to our construction and community updates, we will have a presentation from Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW). NEW prepares women for nontraditional careers in the construction, utilities, and transportation industries. It will be great to learn about their programs and to introduce them to Roosevelt Island.
NEW’s seven-week training course prepares women for nontraditional careers, with hands-on instruction in carpentry, basic electricity, painting, blueprint reading, and building performance; health and safety training; and trades math. Graduates earn salaries from $10--17 per hour and, after apprenticeship, wages may increase to as much as $45 per hour.
We hope you are able to join us in welcoming them to the island and learning about all the great programming NEW has to offer!
Roadwork and Central Utility Plant – At the CUP, a major milestone will be reached as the roof waterproof membrane nears completion. Installation of the roof top mechanical units, the backup generator, and the transformers will be completed in the first week of this period. Block work continues on the ground floor. Once the transformers are placed, concrete stairs into the transformer vaults will be formed and poured. Plumbing on the ground floor is ongoing. In the vault, utility rack placement and conduit installation continues. Existing gas line abatement will continue on the west roadway, preceding telecom, storm, and electric line installation.
Co-Location Building – At CoLo, steel erection continues and installation of the metal decking is ongoing. The first floor metal deck will be fastened and prepped for the concrete slab floor, which will occur in the beginning of the next period.
Residential Building – At the Residential Building, as the superstructure continues to rise, coordinated work with interior utility installation is ongoing with sleeves, pipes and conduits being cast in place. The superstructure will start on the deck of the 12th floor in the beginning of this period and will be forming the deck for the 16th floor by the beginning of the New Year. The loading dock and hoist will be fully operational at the start of this period. CMU block masonry is underway on the 2nd floor and will also begin on the 3rd floor by the end of this period.
Bloomberg Center – Steel erection on the mechanical floor will continue in this period. Temporary lighting will be installed on the second floor and the grounding loop around the building perimeter is scheduled to continue through this period. The metal decking is being prepped in anticipation of beginning the superstructure floor slab concrete pours which will begin in this period.
Cornell Tech's Community Space at Gallery RIVAA - Holiday Hours: please note that there will be no office hours on Wednesday, December 23rd. In addition Cornell University is closed from December 25th through January 3rd. We wish everyone a joyous holiday season and a safe and prosperous New Year.
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Due to continued Urban American Management facade work, the one lane traffic diversion will now include the area from 529 through 579 Main St., beginning Monday, 10/26/15, at 8 AM until further notice.
As a result, there will be NO PARKING, STOPPING OR STANDING on the West side of Main St. between 529 Main St. and 579 Main St. Monday- Friday from 8 AM- 6 PM until further notice. Flag persons will be on site to redirect traffic during these times.
We appreciate your cooperation during this project. Advisories will be issued to update the public on future developments.
Image of Roosevelt Landings Facade Work Facing Main Street
RIOC President Charlene Indelicato discussed the record amount of Roosevelt Island construction projects currently going on and efforts by RIOC to minimize residents inconvenience during her October 22 Report to the RIOC Board of Directors (video here).
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato reported to the October 22 RIOC Board of Directors meeting on current construction projects
Image of Main Street Con Ed Riser Construction Work Taking Place Past Summer
taking place on Roosevelt Island including:
Local Law 11 building facade work scaffolding on Main Street,
Cornell Tech,
Con Ed High Pressure Gas Line and Risers,
Emergency and regular maintenance work on Transformers and
Verizon High Speed Internet Connection To Sportspark
Ms. Indelicato said:
... I feel like an Air Traffic Controller because we have so many things going on and all of it has to be coordinated.
I know that it impacts the residents. I am very, very concerned, as is the rest of RIOC staff, that the various construction, which has to be done, is done in a manner that is least intrusive. That takes alot of work.
Permits were not required when I first got here.... since change is very hard, we are still in the process of sometimes discussing with various utilities, sometimes prodding various utilities, sometimes threatening various utilities into getting permits that in the rest of the world is as of course.
... We take complaints about the trucks and flag people and we appreciate people telling us what the issues are so we can address them.... PSD has gone above and beyond in the escorting and traffic control to make sure that it is as least intrusive as possible...
Here's RIOC President Charlene Indelicato's October 22 Board of Directors report .
... A presentation by Rosina Abramson of ENVAC. ENVAC served as consultants to the Department of Sanitation relating to the upgrade of RI's AVAC system.
Cornell Tech met with the manufacturer of the AVAC system and consulted with the current operators of the system. The manufacturer advised us that the current system would not support the extended length necessary to reach the campus without a major and very expensive upgrade, nor was it configured to receive recycling materials. Further, due to contractual obligations, it only accepts residential waste, not commercial waste, so we concluded that even if the AVAC system was to be expanded and completely refurbished, our campus would still require trucks to remove recycling and commercial waste. Cornell Tech is committed to reducing waste as much as possible and we will keep the community updated on our plans.
During Ms. Abramson's September 29 AVAC upgrade presentation to the CB 8 Roosevelt Island Committee, the Main Street Wire editor asked:
To what extent has Cornell expressed interest or disinterest in being connected...
to the AVAC system.
Ms. Abramson replied that the current Roosevelt Island AVAC System would not work for Cornell Tech. She reported that Envac recommended a new AVAC garbage removal system for the Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech campus that would be independent from the existing AVAC system but Cornell decided not to remove their garbage with a new AVAC system. Instead, Cornell Tech will remove its garbage using trucks going up and down the streets.
Here's the discussion.
Later, in response to a question from Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Alternate Delegate Helen Chirivas about Cornell Tech connecting to the AVAC system, Ms Abramson reported that Hudson Companies David Kramer, developer of the Cornell Tech campus Residential building, asked Cornell to reconsider a new AVAC system but Cornell refused.
According to Ms. Abramson the cost of the new AVAC system for Cornell Tech would be $12 million.
Here's the discussion.
I asked Mr. Kramer for a comment but he declined. Mr. Kramer is also the developer of the Roosevelt Island Hudson Related Riverwalk buildings in Southtown which uses the AVAC garbage removal system.
RICC is disappointed to hear that Cornell does not intend to pursue an independent AVAC system similar to that which services the rest of the Island. If anything, the prospect of greatly reducing truck traffic on our already congested, single street should have been a consideration. We hope that Cornell will rethink their position, and take the advice of both Ms. Abramson and Mr. Kramer of Hudson Related, who is the most recent adopter of the system for the Riverwalk buildings and is a full supporter of the technology, an introduce a new AVAC system to their campus.
Below is the presentation by Ms. Abramson to upgrade the Roosevelt Island AVAC system.
Part 2 - Questions and answers. Ms. Abramson reports that RIOC has not been willing to meet with Envac for over a year regarding the AVAC upgrade proposals. Also, questions about previous problem this past summer with Westview AVAC and current problem with Roosevelt Landings AVAC not working.
Part 3 - What happens if AVAC upgrade is not done?
Part 4 - Questions from CB 8 members about Rivercross AVAC, cost of upgrade and next steps.
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.
