Proposed License Agreement For Operation And Maintenance of Roosevelt Island's FDR Park With New York State Parks Department, Main Street Retail Update From Hudson Related & More On Agenda For May 6 RIOC Directors Real Estate Development Advisory Committee

 Image of Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park From Long Island City Gantry Park

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors Real Estate Advisory Committee is meeting tomorrow. According to RIOC:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.

Agenda:

Update from Hudson Related Realty on Retail Space and Current Developments

Discussion of Way-Finding Signage For Four Freedoms Park

Discussion of Proposed License Agreement with NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for Maintenance and Operation of Four Freedoms State Park

Any Other Committee Business That May be Brought Before the Committee

***

The Open Meetings Law of the State of New York requires that all public bodies conduct meetings, convened for the purpose of officially conducting public business, in a manner open to attendance by the general public to observe and listen.

Site of New Roosevelt Island Liquor Store And Former Home of the Grog Wine Shop

During January 15, 2014 RIOC Real Estate Committee meeting, Hudson Related's David Kramer provided this Main Street Retail update:

... Mr. Kramer began the update by reporting that he recently met Roosevelt Island resident and Mayor DeBlasio's Transition Chairman Carl Weisbrod. Mr. Weisbrod's first words to Mr. Kramer were:

When are we getting our wine store?

Mr. Kramer expects the Wine Shop to open soon. The Wine Shop is owned by the same owner as the Wholesome Factory organic grocer on Main Street. The Wine Shop lease was signed over two years ago, they are current on their rent, have their liquor license and are in process of getting building permit.

Mr. Kramer added:

... Hudson Related has successfully completed phase 2 of our program. Phase 1 was listening tour, strategy phase...

... Part 2 was the corridor upgrade ...  we're very pleased with how that turned out...

... Part 3  which is now we need some more retailers...

and using a football analogy:

... We're at the 50 yard line. We're not in the red zone yet but we're getting there....

Video of Mr. Kramer's full January 15 update is here.

We'll see how much closer we are to the Roosevelt Island Retail Red Zone tomorrow.

 Champagne Revelers At FDR Four Freedoms Park

Also, we may learn more about the operations and maintenance of the FDR Four Freedoms Park and what, if any, control RIOC has over the use of the park by Roosevelt Island residents and visitors. In the past, we have been told that the FDR Park Conservancy controls the area, not RIOC. However, if a license agreement with NY State Parks is only now being proposed for control of the property, RIOC may still have some authority to regulate rules and operations of the area.

April 2013 Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival At FDR Park

During February 27 2013 Roosevelt Island FDR Park Town Hall Meeting, I asked FDR Park Conservancy President Sally Minard about who controls the Park, the FDR Conservancy or RIOC. Ms. Minard said that the FDR Conservancy has ultimate control. Here the discussion.



Video of the full Roosevelt Island FDR Park Town Hall Meeting is here.

It will be interesting to see if RIOC tries to establish any control over the Roosevelt Island land occupied by the FDR Park or if, as RIOC Director David Kraut said during a November 2012 meeting on a Land Grab by the FDR Park, the FDR Park's "friends in high places" will control it.

Roosevelt Island Resident Asks FDR Park Conservancy To Allow More Food And Drink Into The Park And To Provide Transportation For Disabled - FDR Park Responds

From the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

Four Freedoms Park is now open! Happy Valentine's Day! Photo: Masha Nosova Drozdov #TGIF #HappyFriday #SoWhiteOutside pic.twitter.com/dsCtBXyaoe
— Four Freedoms Park (@4FreedomsPark) February 14, 2014

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Member and Roosevelt Island Parents' Network Coordinator Eva Bosbach shares the following correspondence with the FDR Four Freedom Park Conservancy:

I wanted to mention to you that we love the park, but would love it even more if it was possible to eat and drink there, especially as private parties do have events with catering there. There are many families who live on RI and are prevented from visiting your park (or visiting it relaxed, or for longer periods of time), as they are not allowed to feed their babies there.

Another point is transportation: Disabled citizens have no access to the Memorial, which is too bad - perhaps there could be a number a citizen could call to be picked up with a small bus or a golf cart, or even pre-book, to be able to visit?

I would appreciate if you could forward these wishes to the appropriate contact people in your organization. I am happy to be in touch with them for further co-operation.

Thank you very much

An example of a FDR Park visitor in a wheelchair

and Champagne revelers.

on a warm sunny day.

A FDR Park Visitor Experience representative responded regarding the Park rules:

At first glance, many of our regulations appear strict, but part of our mission is to preserve this monument to our great President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since we opened, we have strived to improve in order to make the park rewarding to all of those who visit.

Last summer, we designed a seating area for those who bring their lunch. It's located on the west side of the park with beautiful views of Queens. The area includes 5 tables with umbrellas and 25 chairs.

For those who do not bring their lunch, we offer a food station where sandwiches and salads are sold during the warmer months, 3 days a week. We hope to have the food station back by April.

We don't allow any food and beverage on the actual memorial for fear that it will damage the raw granite and invite unwanted vermin onto the lawn.

We agree with you that arriving to the park can be challenging. We wish that there was parking available for ADA visitors closer to our entrance.

To alleviate this concern we offer golf cart transportation to and from the tram and subway station. We receive calls and emails for transportation assistance. Typically its booked in advance at no charge to the visitor. We can usually provide transportation assistance without notice too although notice is appreciated.

We also offer the option of parking inside the park for ADA and offer wheelchairs to those who need it or even a mini tour of the park in the golf cart.

We offered this last year to a World War II veteran and it was a rewarding experience for us all.

Now that the red bus is no longer traveling to our side of the Island, we have added an additional street licensed golf cart to meet ADA transport needs.

We are constantly evaluating what we can do to make the visitor's experience a pleasant one. Suggestions are always welcome.

Here's the FDR Park food station

seating area adjacent to the Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital facing Queens

and the golf cart that can be used for transportation

to and from the Tram and Subway station.

Contact information for the FDR Park Conservancy is here.

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

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

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

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

The following is the proposed agenda.

1. Opening Remarks

2. Information Sharing On Korean Pavilion

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

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

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

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

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

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

See you there.

FDR Four Freedoms Park Explains Why It Was Closed For Snow Last Saturday Disappointing Roosevelt Island Visitor - Will Try To Keep Park Open Whenever Possible This Winter Even If Southpoint Park Closed They Say

Roosevelt Island got a little bit of snow last Saturday when resident Trevre Andrews tried to enter the FDR Four Freedoms Park (FDR Park) but was:

very disappointed 

to be greeted by a closed gate

Image From Trevre Andrews

and signage that said the Park was closed

Image From Trevre Andrews

due to weather (the sign actually said the park was "close").

I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato and the RIOC Directors:

On Saturday during the snow storm, a Roosevelt Island resident sent me the two attached pictures showing the FDR Four Freedoms Park closed during the day.

The resident was very disappointed in not being able to enter the park during the snowstorm.

According to the sign on the closed gate to the FDR Park, the Park was closed due to the weather.

No other NYC parks were closed during the snowstorm including Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park.

Why was FDR Park closed?

Does RIOC have any policy or requirement regarding the times that the FDR Park is open to the public?

Ms. Indelicato responded that the FDR Park was not within the jurisdiction of RIOC. Not sure if that is completely accurate but will explore the issue later.

I also asked representatives of the FDR Park why the park was closed on Saturday during the snow. Suzy Brown, Director of The FDR Park Visitor Experience, responded:

Although we hope to keep the Park open as much as possible this winter, we will always have to close the Park if weather conditions cause visitor safety concerns. Since the Memorial was constructed out of a very particular type of granite and is situated in a very specific location surrounded by water, we cannot simply follow the closure advisories of NYC Parks or NYS Parks.

We are able to clear the Park of snow, but since we can't use salt on the granite we have to be very careful if we feel that icy conditions are developing. Saturday was a particularly challenging day and very specific weather challenges were faced by many different locations throughout the City.

 The 9/11 Memorial had to close early in the afternoon on Saturday, and the High Line was unable to open until after 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. Our onsite staff felt that it was safest to close on Saturday. I apologize that we did not send out a notification, and that we had to use a makeshift sign. However, as I mentioned in my email, going forward we will be sure to send out email notifications about closings as soon as we have made the decision.

I am happy to report that we have also made arrangements with RIOC to keep our Park open whenever possible, regardless of whether or not Southpoint Park is closed. Unfortunately, there were many days last year when we had cleared our Park and were ready to open but Southpoint Park was not cleared and was kept shut, restricting access to our Park. This winter, even if Southpoint Park remains closed due to heavy snowfall, if we are able to clear the Four Freedoms Park sufficiently, our staff will then clear a path in Southpoint Park from the back East gate allowing pedestrian access into our back East gate until RIOC staff is able to clear all of Southpoint Park and open the front gate and Southpoint Park fully to the public.

Ms. Brown added:

Please note that the Four Freedoms Park will be closed on Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25th. Regular winter hours of 9:00 to 5:00 (closed Tuesday) will resume on Thursday, December 26th.

Going forward, the Four Freedoms Park will send e-mail notices to this contact list if the Park is closed or opening late due to inclement weather. Notification will be posted on the website and through social media and, whenever possible, signage will be posted at the Park.

Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy is concerned about the FDR Park workers. According to Ms. Berdy:

It is most unfortunate that the humanitarian legacy of President Franklin Roosevelt is not being executed by the administration of the FDR Four Freedoms Memorial Park.

In recent weeks, as well as last winter, the park staff sit huddled in a tiny unheated vehicle while on duty. There is no shelter for them as they stand at the windblown south end of the Island, speak with visitors and maintain the austere and pristine granite of the site.

The park is never closed due to inclement weather. Countless visitors to the park remark on the situation of the staff when they enter the RIHS Visitor Center.

It is well known that architect Louis Kahn died before completing his plan for the memorial. He may have intended to provide (seating and shade for the public and even) shelter for the park staff. Certainly, there is plenty of space on park property to provide an enclosed heated shelter for the comfort of staff and visitors.

The callous indifference of the influential and wealthy members of the FDR Four Freedoms Park speaks louder than the desire to maintain the architect's unknown intent.

Just in case the park administration says they are a poor not for profit, here is a listing of their Board:

John Dyson, Chairman of Millbrook Capital Management, Inc.,  Jack Rosenthal, President-Emeritus of The New York Times Company Foundation;, Katrina vanden Heuvel, Editor and Publisher of The Nation, Warren Hoge, Senior Adviser for External Relations to the International Peace Institute; and William Whitaker, ex officio, Curator of The Architectural Archives of the University of Pennsylvania, Ambassador vanden Heuvel; Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr.; Barbara Shattuck Kohn, Carl Weisbrod; Sally Minard; William R. Griffith, Secretary & Treasurer; James Polshek; and Gina Pollara.

Scenes From A Snowy Roosevelt Island Saturday - Southtown Sledding, Closed FDR Park, Good Shepherd Plaza, Blackwell House, Riding The Tram & More

Scenes from a Snowy Roosevelt Island Saturday.

Sledding on the much smaller Southtown Hill,
 

a closed FDR Four Freedoms Park,

Image From Trevre Andrews

Image From Trevre Andrews

Good Shepherd Plaza and Community Center,

Blackwell Plaza,

Manhattan Park,

Main Street,

Rivercross Lawn,

Riverwalk Commons,

Waterfront Promenade looking north,

looking south,

the Boat Prow,



inside the Roosevelt Island Tram cabin

 Image From Volker Hage

 and riding the Tram

 

in the snow.

Great Before And After Pictures Of Roosevelt Island's Southpoint/FDR Four Freedoms Park - Food Trucks Now Welcome At FDR Park

Paul Sahner's NYC Grid has some great pictures of Southpoint Park before the FDR Four Freedoms Park (FDR Park) was built and opened last October.. Remember Southpoint Park like this:

Image From Paul Sahner NYC Grid

Image From Paul Sahner NYC Grid

Image From Paul Sahner NYC Grid

Image From Paul Sahner NYC Grid

Here's what the FDR Park looks like now.

Image from Archpaper via PAUL WARCHOL / COURTESY FDR FOUR FREEDOMS PARK

More great before and after pictures of Southpoint Park and FDR Park from NYC Grid. Take a look.

Reported previously that the FDR Park Conservancy rules would not allow food and beverages other than water to be brought into the FDR Park. Apparently there have been some modifications to that policy since at least one food truck has been welcomed in the FDR Park.

Enjoy lunch and fresh berry basil lemonade at @KatchkieTruck @4FreedomsPark on this gorgeous day! pic.twitter.com/7RACNQ9RiB
— Great Performances (@GPfood) August 10, 2013

There will be no visiting the FDR Park for food trucks or other reasons during the next three days. According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Please be advised that Four Freedoms Park will be closed from Monday, August 12th to Wednesday, August 14th due to scheduled maintenance. The park will re-open to the public on Thursday, August 15th at 9 AM.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

FDR Four Freedoms Park Conservancy President Sally Minard adds:

The Park will be closed Monday and Wednesday next week. We are always closed Tuesday.

The scheduled work is to replace the road surface in the entry to the Park.

The surface installed just before the park opened to the public last fall was supposed to be a hard packed surface, ADA compliant for wheel chairs and scooters, and suitable for emergency vehicles as required.

The surface never performed as expected. It is slippery and breaks apart when wet. That is why we have maintained temporary gravel paths across the surface to provide safe passage into the memorial for visitors in all weather conditions.

The existing surface will be taken up and removed from the island. Asphalt will be laid. Crushed granite will be rolled into the surface when the asphalt is still wet to give the appearance of gravel. This surface is again ADA compliant and more attractive than asphalt alone, which was the other alternative considered.

I think visitors will be pleased with the aesthetics and the performance of the new surface. Most of the work takes place within the Park site. RIOC has issued a permit for the section of the work that is outside the Park site. As the area is continuous, the same surface will be applied throughout and in the same time frame. This small section, not the site, is within the transition area the Conservancy took responsibility for finishing and maintaining over two years ago. We are assured the project can be completed within the three days allotted.

UPDATE 8/13 -Yesterday, I asked FDR Park Conservancy President Sally Minard:

Has there been any change in FDR Park rules regarding visitors bringing in beverages and food other than water?

I understand that Food Trucks are now allowed into the Park. Can visitors bring their own food as well?

Ms. Minard replied:

No food truck is in the park. A food station is installed; will be open for business Friday-Sunday in August, between 11am and 4pm.

All food and drink is to be consumed within the defined food service area within the Park site but outside the built memorial. The rules against food and drink other than water inside the memorial are unchanged. Visitors can bring their own food and drink to be consumed within the designated food service area.

No one is required to purchase from the food station.

According to the FDR Park web site:

Today we welcomed our first food truck, Katchkie Truck from Great Performances and Katchkie Farm! We also welcomed our first food truck customers who were visiting the Park from Israel!

Featuring a menu inspired by the organic produce at Katchkie Farm, the Katchkie Truck offers fresh farm fare to FDR Four Freedoms Park visitors. The truck’s menu is designed thoughtfully and healthfully with seasonality in mind....

Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park 4th Of July Weekend Celebration Welcomes 100 Thousandth Visitor Saturday July 6 - Tell Mayoral Candidate/ NY City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Assembly Member Micah Kellner What You Think Of So Called Park

The FDR Four Freedoms Park Conservancy (FDR Park) invites the Roosevelt Island community to celebrate the 4th Of July Weekend

Image From FDR Park

and to welcome its 100 thousandth visitor. According to the FDR Park:

Join us at the Park to celebrate the 4th of July weekend and to welcome our 100,000th Park visitor!

Event details:

Where: Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park
Date: Saturday, July 6, 2013
Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

A Dixieland jazz band will perform. Complimentary refreshments and American flags will be provided.

Tomorrow must be a very special day. Normally, refreshments, other than water, are not allowed into the FDR Park.

NY City Council Speaker/Mayoral Candidate Christine Quinn and Assembly Member/NYC Council Candidate Micah Kellner are scheduled to visit the FDR Park for the event tomorrow. Go tell Ms. Quinn and Mr. Kellner what you think of this so-called Park.

Here's a time lapse video of the FDR Park's construction.

Champagne And Limo Service For Some Visitors To Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park, Only Water For Most Others - Ferry Service Coming To FDR Park From 34th Street This Summer

As previously reported Roosevelt Island residents and other visitors are not allowed to bring beverages or food of any kind other than water into the so-called FDR Four Freedoms Park. As one Roosevelt Island Mom reported:

outrageous! i was yelled at next to my kids (!!!) by the rude "park rangers" for my 4 years old holding a juice. fascism at its best

Except certain visitors to the FDR Park are treated more kindly like this happy group drinking champagne and toasting each other last Friday afternoon.

Other visitors to the FDR Park even received drop off limo service last Friday so they could avoid the rest of Roosevelt Island.

Later this afternoon the FDR Park Conservancy is holding a Summer Garden Party fundraiser. Tickets range from $250 to $10 Thousand. I wonder if they will allow people to eat and drink on their Kahn "Sacred Space" at the fundraiser?

Also, will the family of geese and their babies who made a temporary home next to the FDR Park lawn

Image From Denise Shull

still be there for tonight's fundraiser? They were not there last Friday.

In other FDR Park news, responding to my inquiry on the subject, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato reports that there will be a Roosevelt Island pilot project ferry service this summer between the FDR Park and 34th Street in Manhattan. Ms. Indelicato noted that no Request For Proposals or full RIOC Board approval is necessary to proceed with ferry service for the FDR Park. Ms. Indelicato believes that ferry service at the FDR Park will benefit all of Roosevelt Island and will provide data to justify a future Roosevelt Island ferry service in another part of Roosevelt Island. Will have more on this coming up.

The FDR Park has also taken over Southpoint Park land on the East Side of the Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital

gating it off from the public,

using the area as their own office space, parking lot

and garbage receptacle.

Who runs this place, RIOC or the FDR Park?

Pair Of Geese Make Nesting Home At Roosevelt Island's FDR Four Freedom Park - Geese Are Lucky To Get In, Must Not Have Had Any Beverages With Them Or Tried To Climb Wall

Roosevelt Island Wildlife Specialist Rosanna Ceruzzi shares these pictures of a pair of Geese

that have made a temporary nesting home at the southern tip of Roosevelt Island by a tree on the grounds of the FDR Four Freedoms Park. Soon, if it survives, there will be one more added to this family of Geese.

Glad the geese were able to get into this so-called park. They are lucky they did not have a cup of coffee or some other beverage with them.

No freedom to walk into Roosevelt Island 4 Freedoms Park w/ hot chocolate 2day workers incart would not let me in twitter.com/Rooseveltislan…
— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) December 29, 2012

Or try to walk on the FDR Memorial Wall as these visitors tried, but were turned away by a security guard, during April 13 Cherry Blossom Festival.



More on lack of Freedom at FDR Four Freedoms Park at previous post.

Roosevelt Island Louis Kahn Four Freedoms Park Town Hall Meeting and Q & A Tonight 6:30 PM At Good Shepherd Community Center - Extremely Short Notice, No Publicity And Don't Bring Any Refreshments

At 4:02 PM today, a little less than 3 hours before a so-called Town Hall Meeting on the so-called Louis Kahn (FDR) Four Freedoms Park, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) sends out an advisory informing the public about the meeting.

Here's the reminder from RIOC:

As a reminder, you are invited to attend the Four Freedoms Park Conservancy Town Hall meeting Today, 6:30 PM at the Good Shepherd Community Center. There will be a presentation discussing Four Freedoms Park. Immediately following will be a Q&A session with representatives of the conservancy.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

The advisory is referred to as a "reminder" although I did not receive any notice of this meeting before now. Apparently, there was an advertisement in the Main Street WIRE several weeks ago announcing this meeting but nothing else that I saw.

Do they really expect or want people to come out and discuss this issue? If yes, why such short notice and hardly any publicity?

A warning. Based upon my experience trying to get into the park last December, don't bring any refreshments to the meeting.

No freedom to walk into Roosevelt Island 4 Freedoms Park w/ hot chocolate 2day workers incart would not let me in twitter.com/Rooseveltislan…
— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) December 29, 2012

Gotta let it out.



UPDATE 11 PM - Here's what happened at the Town Hall Meeting. Conservancy President Sally Minard hosted the meeting with other members of her staff. About15 Roosevelt Island residents attended the meeting.

Part 1.



and Part 2.