As previously reported, former Roosevelt Island Disabled Association President Virginia Granato passed away on April 30. Last Saturday, June 10, friends and neighbors of Ms Granato held a memorial service at Roosevelt Island's Good Shepherd Chapel
#Celebrate Virginia. Community activist leader former President of the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association. TODAY
1:00pm Good Shepherd RI pic.twitter.com/pYNhfkbj1d
There was a lovely service and commemoration for Virginia Granato in the Chapel at 1 p.m. The elevator had been working before the service. At 2:15 p.m. the elevator was not functioning leaving 8 persons, most of them in wheelchairs stuck upstairs in the Chapel.
PSD was contacted and they called the elevator maintenance company.
While the residents waited, neighbors brought them refreshments. and others brought drinks and food and kept everyone informed as the time wore on. One of the guests from the event sang songs. Michael Shinozaki chatted with everyone to pass the time and texted Chief McManus of the situation.
911 was called twice at 3;17 p.m and 3:37. Since no one was stuck in an elevator the situation was not considered urgent. (911 did know about where Roosevelt Island was).
Some of our visitors used motorized wheelchairs that weigh between 400 and 650 pound with the passenger. This means that there is no way to carry the rider and chair safely. To use a ramp out of the Chapel there was nothing available to hold the weight and could be safe at a steep angle. Nancy Brown has life support equipment on her chair and there was no way to safely move her without her chair.
After PSD chief Jack Mc Manus arrived he had conversations with 911. They did not seem to comprehend that this situation could be dangerous and no further assistance was sent. Two EMS crews came into the chapel but did not want to move anyone. The PSD officers and chief stayed with the group and provided information and updates.
It was a long afternoon as many were uncomfortable and felt trapped.
Finally, at 5 p.m. the elevator repair person arrived. Within 30 minutes he had the elevator operating so everyone could leave.
Looking around the Chapel we realize that it is so dangerous to have one elevator and no other safe way to leave if you are not able to walk steps.
The Roosevelt Island Historical Society Invites You to a Reception for the Exhibit
The Chapin Collection:
Photographs Assembled by Reverend Oliver Chapin at Octagon Gallery, 888 Main Street Wednesday, August 31, 2016, 6 pm - 8 pm
The exhibit, currently open, continues through September 1, 2016.
Reverend Oliver Chapin lived and worked on Roosevelt Island from 1964 until his death in 1999. He was the Protestant Chaplain at Coler Hospital until 1997 and the full-time Protestant Episcopal Vicar of the Church of the Good Shepherd until 1999. During that time, Reverend Chapin amassed an extensive array of maps, books, photographs, and manuscripts about the island. As Roosevelt Island's first historian, he lead tours and gave lectures about island history. His collection forms the basis of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society's archives.
Metropolitan Hospital. The hospital occupied the facility vacated by the city asylum from 1894-1955. (Roosevelt Island Historical Society Archives)
Now, the RIHS is delighted to present a selection of Reverend Chapin's photographs. Most of the pictures in the collection depict Roosevelt (formerly Welfare) Island from the early years of the 20th century through the 1950s. The display includes images of the Roosevelt Island chapels and a photo of Mae West, who spent several days at the workhouse on Welfare Island.
The exhibit opened on August 6 and will continue at the Octagon gallery through Thursday, September 1. Please join the Roosevelt Island Historical Society for a reception on Wednesday, August 31 from 6 pm to 8 pm.
The reception and show are FREE and open to the public.
DIRECTIONS: Take the Tram at 59th Street and Second Avenue or the F train to Roosevelt Island. After leaving either the tram or the subway station, take the Roosevelt Island red bus north to the last stop. Walk a few steps to the Octagon.
The Roosevelt Island Historical Society thanks Bozzuto Management and RIVAA for the use of the Octagon Gallery.
The use of Roosevelt Island Community space by various local groups is an important issue for some residents. If you are interested in using Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) community space, plan on attending two upcoming RIOC meetings next week.
According to RIOC:
A meeting for scheduling permit requests for the Good Shepherd Community Center will take place on Monday, February 22nd at 9 AM at the RIOC main office (591 Main Street).
A meeting for scheduling permit requests for the Cultural Center will take place on Thursday, February 25th at 9 AM at the RIOC main office (591 Main Street).
These meetings will address permit requests that fall between the dates of April 1, 2016 and June 30, 2016. For more information, or to reserve a seat and receive a permit application, please contact Donna Masly at 212.891.6540 or email permits@rioc.ny.gov
... RIOC Director Howard Polivy provided an overview of Roosevelt Island community spaces including at Sportspark, Good Shepherd Community Center and the newly renovated Cultural Center space. Mr. Polivy emphasized that use of the community center spaces will "evolve" over time. RIOC President Charlene Indelicato added that all of the Roosevelt Island groups seeking community space:
... must be treated in a fair and equitable manner...
noting that Public Authorities, like RIOC, are under a great deal of scrutiny from NY State. Ms. Indelicato added that the intent of RIOC is not to make money on the Cultural Center
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Please be advised, due to floor re-surfacing, the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street) will be closed starting Thursday, January 28th through Saturday, January 30th. The Center will reopen for normal operating hours on Sunday, January 31st. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Frank Farance shares these photos of the new
Image From Frank Farance
Good Shepherd Chapel Floor.
Image From Frank Farance
As reported Monday, January 11, the Good Shepherd Community Center Chapel Floor was replaced earlier this month. Members of Roosevelt Island religious organizations that use the Chapel say that they were not given adequate notice of the floor replacement and:
... that Church objects were damaged and worship services disrupted due to the floor replacement...
RIOC disputes that adequate notice was not given to the religious groups about the floor replacement.
Hopefully, the Chapel Floor re-surfacing will be completed in time for Sunday services.
UPDATE 5:50 PM - Roosevelt Island St Cabrini Catholic parishioner Frank Farance comments below that religious groups who use the Good Shepherd Chapel were upset they were not notified of the Good Shepherd Chapel floor replacement. Mr. Farance says that Church objects were damaged and worship services disrupted due to the floor replacement.
I asked RIOC President Charlene Indelicato to comment on the matter. Ms. Indelicato replied:
All three parishes were notified last week that Good Shepherd would not be usable this weekend. Each one had alternate arrangements through myself and their parish managers. Public safety was also notified and instructed to allow access to set up/move what was necessary for mass at times that weren't listed on the booking report.
The Chapel of the Good Shepherd has been a community center for Roosevelt Island residents... but it was originally built in 1888-9 to serve as an Episcopal mission to the Almshouse on then-named Blackwell’s Island....
... From 1997 to 2002, state assembly representative Pete Grannis and the New York State legislature allocated a series of state grants, totaling $312,000, towards the restoration of Good Shepherd...
... The chapel was commissioned by George M. Bliss (1816-1896), an important New York banker, who began his career in the dry goods business. Through successful speculation during the Civil War, he amassed a large fortune, and in 1869 he joined Levi P. Moron, later a Vice-President of the United States, in a banking business under the firm name of Morton, Bliss & Company. In his later years he served as Treasurer of the Protestant Episcopal Mission Society which administered the Chapel of the Good Shepherd.
Today the chapel serves a new and more general purpose, as a community center for the residents of the island’s new housing complex. It has also been rededicated to serve as an ecumenical place of worship....
Fr. Thomas Kallumady cannot be here tonight so he has asked me to go on record and explain what is happening to our faith community at Good Shepherd.
We have been asked by RIOC several months ago to pay up front for our use of GS by a term of six months. Fr. Has explained to RIOC that we don’t receive our collections 6 months in advance and that it is not possible for us to pay for our mass times 6 months in advance. After much negotiation RIOC agreed, but stated they want three months in advance and if we don’t give that to them, we would lose our mass times. Fr. Again informed RIOC that we don’t get our collection three months in advance, but only monthly. We could not do this. We had not heard back from RIOC and continued to make our monthly payments.
For those here tonight who are not Catholic, our mass times are universal, international mass times. They do not change parish to parish, state to state, country to country.
At our parish council meeting last night, Fr. Shared with us the email he received from Donna Moseley. It stated that we were to pay three months in advance by April 1st or we would be locked out of GS and they would have personnel at the door to make sure we could not enter.
Not only were we deeply offended with the tone RIOC took with us, the timing of their negotiations puts us out of our worship space at the beginning of Holy week, with Easter Sunday on the 5th.
When Good Shepherd Chapel was built it was built with the intent of being used as a worship space. However and why ever worship space changed into a community center left us with a serious issue. RIOC states to us that anyone who rents space at GS must pay in advance for that space. We are sure that RIOC understands the differences between for profit and not for profit. How can any church that depends on its collections to pay the rent be treated as a for profit that can pay in advance.
We have lost revenue by the closing of our thrift shop. We are operating on a month to month basis. We would like our faith communities of residents on Roosevelt Island to come together to discuss with RIOC a way we can continue to worship in our space and have the respect of RIOC while we additionally respect the requirements of the for profits that also occupy the same space. We are NOT asking that we not pay rent, only that we pay as we and other faiths in the same space have always paid, month to month.
Thank you.
Here is the email sent from RIOC to Father Kallumudy regarding fees for the use of Good Shepherd Community Center:
Good Afternoon-
Attached you will find your invoices for April, May, and June. The total permit fee is $2540.00. Payment must be received IN FULL before you may enter the Good Shepherd Community Center in April. We will have staff present to ensure compliance with our permitting policies.
Just to reiterate, as is RIOC policy across the board for ALL permits, no one will be permitted into the Good Shepherd Community Center if the permit fee is not received prior to your first scheduled date.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Today, I asked RIOC President Charlene Indelicato:
During last night's RIRA meeting, it was reported that RIOC is seeking 3 months rent in advance from the local Catholic Parish for their Mass times at the Good Shepherd Community Center.
It was also stated that if the 3 month rental fee was not provided to RIOC by April 1, the parish would be "locked out" of using Good Shepherd.
Is that true?
Any comment on this matter.
Ms. Indelicato replied that RIOC must treat all organizations seeking to use RIOC controlled premises, such as the Good Shepherd Community Center, on a first come equal basis.
She added that if the St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Parish wants to pay for the use of Good Shepherd Chapel on a monthly basis they may do so but that will not guarantee the Catholic Parish's use of the Chapel for the next month if another group pays for it before Cabrini.
During last evening's RIRA meeting, the RIRA Common Council approved a motion asking RIOC to maintain the monthly fee
for Roosevelt Island religious organizations using Good Shepherd Chapel.
Roosevelt Island is a growing community with a variety of organizations, both established and new, seeking low cost or no cost meeting space. It is an ongoing issue not only with the Catholic Parish's use of Good Shepherd but other groups such as the Main Street Theater & Dance Alliance's use of the recently renovated Cultural Center.
... invites you to join Rabbi Moritt for our Fall Adult Education Class:
Exploring the Women of the Bible
Thursdays, December 4, 11, & 18 7:30 pm
At first glance, the women of the Bible appear to take a back seat to the better-known male characters.
Join Rabbi M as we explore both the better- and lesser-known women of the Bible, and how they are key to the history and transmission of Judaism through biblical and Midrashic legend.
Our Shabbat service on 12/12 @ 7:30 pm, and our annual Chanukah Candle Lighting & Party on 12/21 @ 4 pm.
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Operations Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
The Committee will meet to discuss the Good Shepherd Community Center Roof Repair Project.
The subject of replacing the landmarked Good Sheperd Community Center Roof was discussed during the November 28 RIOC Operations Committee meeting. As reported in this previous post:
... Also discussed was the replacement of the Good Shepherd roof - whether the roof will be a slate roof as was it's original condition or some other less expensive material such as fake slate or asphalt....
Although repairing the roof with the original slate material was approved at a prior RIOC Board meeting, some RIOC directors are becoming increasingly concerned with the higher initial cost of the slate and may wish to use a less expensive material to repair the roof.
Here's the discussion at the November 28 RIOC Operations Committee meeting.
You Tube Video Of Good Shepherd Roof Repair Discussion at November RIOC Operations Committee Meeting
and southern portion of the Plaza are open to the public.
During the November 28 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Operations Committee meeting (audio webcast here), RIOC VP Of Operations Fernando Martinez reported on causes for delay in the Good Shepherd Plaza Restoration Project including drainage installation problems by the contractor that were corrected and weather delays.
Also discussed was the replacement of the Good Shepherd roof - whether the roof will be a slate roof as was it's original condition or some other less expensive material such as fake slate or asphalt.
Here is the Operations Committee discussion on subject.
You Tube Video Of Ops Committee Discussion of Good Plaza Restoration Project
Mr. Fernandez took me on a tour of the Plaza recently and discussed the restoration project
Image of Good Plaza Shepherd Restoration Work Being Done Last Saturday
A Roosevelt Island resident sent the following message to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Leslie Torres:
I was flabbergasted to see in the "In Briefly" column in the November 5th WIRE that the new completion date for the renovation of Good Shepherd Plaza has been moved 8 months to May of 2012. I then went to "The RIOC Column" looking for an explanation and expecting apologies to the community for exposing them to 8 more months of inconvenience, dirt and dust. As you know, there was no word about it there.
The delay on this project certainly looks like RIOC mismanagement. Don't the residents of Roosevelt Island deserve an explanation?
Ms. Torres responded:
I am sorry you are being inconvenienced by the construction of the plaza and want to assure you that we at RIOC are cognizant of the need to get the plaza completed and fully committed to managing the project to completion.
As you may know, the process for RIOC to undertake any construction project is set by statute. It starts with an RFP (Request For Proposals) from several construction bidders. Once bids are received the RIOC Board decides on which bid to accept (usually the lowest qualified bidder), while also taking into consideration the requirements that minority and women owned businesses be favored, and a review of the contractor's construction history. The contractor for the plaza had done work successfully on other island-related projects in the past, including z-brick repairs which is similar to the installation at the plaza. All of these considerations were fully reviewed by RIOC staff for the plaza project and presented to the Board.
Once the Board decides on a bidder at a public meeting, RIOC staff then enters into a contract with the bidder to complete a project. For the plaza project, we entered into a contract with the construction company to reconstruct the plaza, install new light fixtures, and install an effective storm drainage system. The contract provided for a start date of July 7th and completion by October 5th. Unfortunately the company did not start construction until August due to their employees' vacation schedules, and the initial materials submitted by the contractor for plaza construction being rejected by RIOC's Engineers due to poor quality. Despite these delays, the contractor assured us that the project would be completed on time. However, upon starting the project, the company did not provide sufficient qualified manpower to perform the work correctly. For instance, the contractor installed the trench drains and concrete substrate poorly and such installation was consequently rejected by the RIOC project engineers. As a result, the contractor's staff was replaced and the trench drains were ripped out and reinstalled correctly, at the contractor's expense.
The project has also experienced certain unforeseen conditions. For example, upon excavating the site, we discovered that water had been infiltrating the chapel's foundation, causing a deterioration of the foundation. We also found that some of the plaza's concrete substrate had collapsed. We decided to address these conditions by installing a concrete band around the building perimeter, and to replace the concrete substrate. These tasks were added to the contractor's scope of work which entitled him to additional time to complete the project. An additional 36 calendar days were added and the contract completion date was revised to November 10th, a date which will unfortunately not be met.
We also note that since the plaza work is weather sensitive it must be suspended during the winter months. When the project shuts down for the winter, the entire plaza will be opened to the public except for a small staging area in the north west corner of the plaza. The contractors will come back in March to compete the North side of the plaza and the sidewalk in the front of plaza. We also note that the contract has a liquidated damages clause of $200 per calendar day (which in effect means, if the completion date is missed, the contractor is liable to RIOC for $200 penalty for each day the project goes over schedule). However, the impact on the community use of the plaza will be that the entire plaza will soon be opened for the winter months and then a portion (approximately 1/3 of the plaza) will be closed in the spring.
As you may know, RIOC has worked with many contractors on many projects and some have come in on time and/or early (soccer field) and some have not (the plaza). We considered the possibility of replacing the contractor due to his initial poor performance, but found this would not be cost efficient and would prolong the completion of the plaza project even further. We too lament that this project has not gone according to its intended time line and we apologize to the community for the delay.
Thank you for your email.
Very truly yours,
Below is the original schedule of work for the Good Shepherd Plaza Restoration Project.
Phase 1 covering the Southern portion of the Plaza will take place from July 28- September 6
Phase 2 covering the Northern portion of the Plaza will take place from September 6 - 23
Phase 3 covering the Eastern sidewalk will take place from September 26- October3
I asked RIOC Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez what work will be done during these various phases but have not received a response yet. According to RIOC's Request For Proposals for the Good Shepherd Plaza Renovation Project, the scope of work for the project includes:
Removal and disposal of existing concrete and brick pavers, light poles and trench drains.
Excavation and disposal for installation of new pavement sub-base.
Installation of new precast concrete unit pavers and concrete curbs and sidewalks
Installation of new trench drains with connection to existing storm drainage system
Relocation of existing planters, benches and signs
Installation of new light poles and extension of existing electrical service
Good Shepherd Plaza as of last Saturday looked like this.
UPDATE 11 PM - Roosevelt Island resident David Bauer asks:
Why would a capable contractor agree to a July 7 start if employees were on vacation in July? How could the basic drainage work have been put in place without being noticed by RIOC inspectors? Based on what RIOC has contracted for, at what point will the $200 per day damages take effect? The project excavation along the Good Shepherd foundations was less than one foot deep; where did the new indications of water infiltration appear that were not evident by an inspection of the interior?
As a side note, it is counter intuitive that in a period of high unemployment a contractor's forces take vacation in the middle of what is the normal peak work period.
Received the following Good Shepherd Plaza renovation update from Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Planning Committtee Chair Matt Katz.
I have put together some notes on our meeting and I’m sharing them with you prior to presenting them to the RIRA Common Council on April 7. They are not based on a recording or transcript and so, may reflect a somewhat different perspective than your recollections. I hope I have touched on the high points. RIRA Council Members will have an opportunity to discuss the meeting on April 7; others may address the project during the Public Access portion of the Council agenda.
Below is Mr. Katz's report.
Good Shepherd Plaza Renovation Project Town Meeting – March 25, 2010
Attending: RIOC: Rosina Abramson, Tom Turcic; Santo Verta; RIOC Board of Directors: Fay Christian, Howard Polivy, Margie Smith; RIRA Planning Committee: Ashton Barfield, Dolores Green, Matthew Katz (Chair), Joyce Mincheff, Ellen Polivy, Lynne Shinozaki; Rivercross: Marianne Russem; RIHS: Judy Berdy; WIRE: Dick Lutz; Resident Community: Helen Chirivas; arriving late: Paco Bozzano-Barnes (RIRA), Vicki Feinmel, Nurit Marcus, Fernando Martinez (RIOC).
Katz welcomed the group, saying that, while the meeting was under the auspices of the RIRA Planning Committee, a formal sub-committee had not been formed and that the meeting was, at least at present, an ad hoc response to Abramson’s request to discuss the Good Shepherd Plaza renovation project with community stakeholders. He noted that the invitation list included management and tenant representatives from the building complexes abutting the Plaza; RIOC, RIOC Board and RIRA reps; as well as organizers of the events that use the space. Approximately half of those invited were attending.
Turcic, RIOC Chief Engineer, presented the plan. He said there was little change involved, and that the proposed HVAC upgrade was the only element that requires approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The cooling tower in the Chapel belfry is to be replaced by a ground-level condenser just west of the side entrance that will be covered by a wooden barrier. The red slate pavers are to be replaced, drainage will be reconfigured, bench locations are to be reconsidered and the tall lights will be replaced by ten-foot lights similar to the ones on Main Street and with new eight-foot lights at the west entrance doors. Russem said the Plaza is dim and asked if three lights each on the north and south sides would be sufficient to make the area brighter.
Turcic indicated that subsidence has caused drainage problems. The north-south-running drains on the east and west sides of the Chapel will remain, but the other north-west-running drain, located near the back of the Chapel, would be replaced by east-west-running trench drains where the concrete stripes now break up the red tile pattern. In addition, the squared-off concrete apron at the eastern (apse) end of the structure would be rounded to conform to the shape of the building. Chirivas asked if there would be any interior Chapel work and Turcic responded, “No.”
Christian asked what color the proposed herringbone brick would be. Turcic said it could match the present color with concrete pavers, still broken up by concrete stripes. Smith asked why the present red pavers would be replaced using a small herringbone pattern. Turcic said that the interlocking pattern would last longer. When asked about existing stocks of z-brick, Turcic said there was none left and that it was no longer manufactured. He said that the Plaza sub-base was crushed concrete covered by sand, and noted that two-inch bricks would replace the existing, more fragile one-inch pavers.
Mincheff advocated placing a bocce court in the Plaza; Turcic suggested perhaps using another venue. Turcic mentioned that the sixteen existing concrete bollards are in poor condition and questioned whether they should be replaced or removed. Green advocated removing them. Russem said she was concerned about the bench placement blocking performance sight lines for audiences and suggested placing concrete chess/checkers tables with permanent seating in appropriate spots.
Russem advocated using larger, more substantive planters around the Plaza and Marcus asked if built-in irrigation could be channeled to raised planters. Turcic noted that moveable planers could be moved to accommodate specific functions and events. Shinozaki asked whether a disabled ramp could be installed at the west entrance noting that the side-door elevator often breaks down. Turcic cited the extreme slope at that entrance and the involvement of the Landmarks Preservation Commission that this would require. Berdy noted that the side-door steps and ramp are “shot,” and Turcic said that door would be replaced.
Turcic said that Alex Herrera of the Landmarks Conservancy was assisting in the choice of a wooden barrier to camouflage the HVAC installation. Reflecting an idea proposed by RIRA President, Frank Farance, Katz asked if this potentially noisy machinery could be installed on the Island House side of the north plaza and connected to the Chapel ductwork using conduits underneath the pavers. Turcic thought the condenser assembly wouldn’t add to the noise, either on the Plaza or in the community room abutting it. It was noted that the garbage dumpster adjacent to Island House is “offensive,” and Martinez said that the Trellis needs to keep up with collections. Mincheff thought the Trellis fencing should be the same as the HVAC fencing.
Bozzano suggested canopies to provide shade on the Plaza similar to those used in Spain. Turcic said these had not been considered so far. Bozzano asked if alternatives to air conditioning might be considered that would not use energy and thus, would not add to global warming. Turcic said the air conditioning upgrade already had been put out to bid, and noted that the current Chapel cooling tower is not operational and therefore, Good Shepherd will not be cooled this summer. Katz said he would alert the Island concert promoters to this situation. Turcic noted that the existing cooling system was inefficient and would be replaced by a more efficient method that can be directed to the level where people are congregating. He said the new system would cut energy costs by half.
Russem asked who controlled the concrete seating area directly adjacent to Rivercross. Nobody knew.
Katz asked the group to consider next steps. Abramson suggested another meeting to discuss design elements such as herringbone brick (or another surface), planters, moveable furniture and so on. She noted that construction would probably start in the fall (September? October?) so as not to disrupt summer activities and would require about three months to complete. Katz noted that the Fall for Arts performances would need another venue in this case. Turcic said that bids are expected back April 5.
The April RIRA Common Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 7 at the Good Shepherd Community Center (8 PM). Prior to the start of the Common Council meeting there is Public Session providing an opportunity for the public to present any issues of concern to the Council.
RIOC Community Relations Specialist Erica Wilder sends the following information regarding the use of the Good Shepherd Community Facility which will now be scheduled by RIOC. From Ms. Wilder:
To All Roosevelt Island Community Groups and Organizations:
Attached please find the new procedures for scheduling and use of Good Shepherd Community Center, effective 1/15/09. The permit will appear on the RIOC website shortly. All events already scheduled for 2009 will continue to be honored, however, we do ask that all users enter into a Permit with Donna Masly, as described herein, meeting all appropriate requirements and conditions. Note: access restrictions will be effective the first week of January, as we have immediate security concerns.
Good Shepherd Community Facility
Scheduling and Use Rules, Requirements and Procedures
(eff. 1/15/09)
The Chapel of the Good Shepherd, a New York City Landmarked building, was acquired by the State of New York for use as a Community Facility as part of the master planning for Roosevelt Island. The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) a Public Benefit Corporation of the State of New York, is responsible for the maintenance and administration of the Good Shepherd Community Facility. Procedures for reserving use of the facility follow:
Scheduling – All scheduling for use of Good Shepherd (GS) interior spaces (including chapel, community room, meeting room) must be reserved in advance with Donna Masly, RIOC Program Coordinator, by calling (212) 832-4563 for an appointment, or via the GS Permit form on the RIOC website – www.rioc.com/. Permits will identify any special conditions regarding permitted use. Elected officials and government agencies should contact Erica Wilder, RIOC Director of Community Affairs at (212) 832 -4540 X349.
Security Deposit – All those obtaining permits for the use of GS spaces must pay a security deposit at the time the Permit is issued. Security deposits will be returned after inspection by RIOC and a determination is made that the premises are restored to the condition in which they were delivered.
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.
