During the March 14, 2024 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Development Advisory Committee (REDAC) meeting, Acting RIOC Chief Operating Officer Mary Cunneen provided an overview of the Motorgate Parking Garage operations including total capacity, usage,
rates and a comparison with other nearby parking garages in Astoria and the Upper East Side.
Heres the REDAC meeting discussion of the Motorgate Parking garage.
... During the February 15, 2024 RIOC Board of Directors Real Estate Development Advisory Committee meeting, the new interim RIOC leadership of Deputy General Counsel Gerrald Ellis and Chief Financial Officer Dhru Amin discussed the upcoming May 1 parking rate increases for Motorgate customers.
The new Motorgate Parking rates (including tax) are proposed as follows....
During the March 14 REDAC meeting, Mr Ellis reported that the previously announced Motorgate rate increase for disabled customers will not be increased to $127.50 but will remain at $62.50. According to Mr Ellis:
...The disabled
rate was originally planned to go from
zero to $62.50 which is what it's
currently at, and then to increase again
from $62.50 to $125 per month. We
are not going to implement with respect
to the disabled rate.
In order to make
this neutral, what was
announced previously was a 2% increase for the resident rate. In order to
keep this revenue neutral that will have
to be a little bit higher, not
drastically. I think what we've landed on
is 3% ... resident rate. We
anticipate these changes
are set to take effect May 1st...
Ms Cunneen reported that there are 438 people on the Motorgate Parking garage waiting list and that the longest a resident is on the current waiting list is from April 2022. She added that Motorgate is currently not opening accounts for non-residents due to the current demand from residents for parking spots.
RIOC Board Director Ben Fhala asked Manhattan Park (which owns 39% of Motorgate to RIOC's 61%) Property Manager Brian Weisberg about participating in future renovations of the Garage:
... so that's it's sustainable for the next 30 years....
Mr Weisberg replied:
Let me just say that everything
is open for a
discussion. Perhaps
other housing companies can get on
board not just Manhattan Park and RIOC.
In February 2022, Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Committee Chairs toured the Motorgate Garage exploring ideas for increasing parking spots and RIRA's Frank Farance proposed expanding the garage by building an addition in the currently vacant quadrant of the area.
rate fee increase for customers. In April 2023, after much community
opposition to the Motorgate parking rate increases,
RIOC revised it's plan stating:
... After careful consideration, RIOC has adjusted the monthly permit rates
at the Motorgate Garage – aiming to be fair and equitable to all Island
permit holders.
General Update:
Monthly permit holder rates will experience an annual 2% increase to
accommodate rising operating expenses and allow for further upgrades to the
facility, effective May 1, 2024.
Disabled Monthly Parking Permit Holders:
Beginning May 1, 2023, the Disabled monthly parking permit rate will be
reduced from the proposed $125 rate to $62.50 only for existing enrolled
customers before April 6, 2023, at 11:59 PM for a period of one year through
May 1, 2024. On May 1, 2024, the Disabled monthly rate will be aligned with
the Senior Citizen parking rate. All new customers applying for the Disabled
monthly parking permit rate will be subject to the proposed $125 rate....
During the February 15, 2024 RIOC Board of Directors Real Estate Development
Advisory Committee meeting, the new interim RIOC leadership of Deputy General
Counsel Gerrald Ellis and Chief Financial Officer Dhru Amin discussed the
upcoming May 1 parking rate increases for Motorgate customers.
The new Motorgate Parking rates (including tax) are proposed as follows.
According to Mr Ellis the Motorgate garage ownership is a partnership between RIOC (60% owner) and Manhattant Park (40% owner) and that:
Manhattan Park is going to tell you that these rates are subsidized. They are all below market....
RIOC Director Howard Polivy said the Motorgate rates are much lower that similar facilities in Queens.
RIOC Director Ben Fhala added:
... This is a public Enterprise so
it doesn't really matter what the market
rate is as long as we're not losing
money and we have enough money set aside
to make renovations....
According to RIOC CFO Dhru Amin
... currently our monthly revenue is about $180-190,000 so annually
it's about 2.3... the management fees are
around a million so we are in a surplus although there are some maintenance items that do come up at times either with the elevator or other
things but I think at the end of the day we're still at a surplus....
... Resident monthly revenue is about $120,000, resident reserve monthly is about $38,000, diplomat is about $6,000 non-resident monthly is $13,000 and non-resident reserve
monthly is $1,000...
Based upon the revenue amounts, the vast majority of Motorgate customers are Roosevelt Island residents.
I asked:
Because of the huge backlog of people looking for parking, is there any opportunity to build more parking at Motorgate? Supposedly there's a fourth quadrant that there's was a plan to build eventually is that something that RIOC has looked into at all?
Mr Ellis replied:
Actively, not to my knowledge. I've seen the actual physical brackets where you could mount I beams to build out the rest of the quadrant. It's obviously built with that in mind that the fourth quadrant to be filled in. I'll say that we're going to continue this discussion talking about capital projects...
Here's the full discussion February 15 REDAC discussion of Motorgate parking fees.
In February 2022, Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Committee Chairs toured the Motorgate Garage exploring ideas for increasing parking spots and RIRA's Frank Farance proposed expanding the garage by building an addition in the currently vacant quadrant of the area.
During the June 13 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety
Department
(PSD) Community Engagement meeting,
residents and PSD Chief Kevin Brown discussed Roosevelt Island parking
problems.
According to a resident speaking at the meeting:
... parking is getting worse and worse every week on Roosevelt Island. Every spot on every street is taken...
and once Manhattan congestion pricing is implemented, Roosevelt Island parking will
be even a greater problem than it is now.
Residents suggested several solutions including PSD giving out more tickets,
towing cars illegally parked and limiting street parking spots to holders of
permit stickers given out by RIOC.
More on the idea of residential neighborhood parking permits in
NYC.
Roosevelt Island Residents Association member Frank Farance has proposed
increasing the capacity of Motorgate Garage by 500 sports.
As reported in February 2023:
... In February 2022, RIRA Committee Chairs toured the Motorgate Garage
exploring ideas for increasing parking spots and RIRA's Frank Farance proposed
expanding the garage by building an addition in the currently vacant quadrant
of the area....
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation has dropped the latest in a series
of increases for Roosevelt Islanders. The new Sportspark rates revealed
yesterday by a 400% increase in a press release and without community input
are shocking and unacceptable. I am calling on our Governor Hochul to
intervene in the rate hikes pricing people out of Roosevelt Island. From
parking to the pool, these hikes add insult to injury at an already
consequential time for people’s pocketbooks.
During the March 1 NY State Senate Budget hearing, Ms Seawright raised the issue of Sportspark and Motorgate price increases with NYS Division of Housing & Community Renewal (DHCR) Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas who is also the Chairperson of RIOC.
Ms Seawright asked Ms Visnauskas:
... We sent a letter recently with some questions about the newly implemented Motorgate garage fee and we got back a very disappointing and unacceptable letter... What I would like to do is set up a work group to examine this... I would ask that you comment on the garage and the Sportspark...
Ms Visnauskas replied:
We would be happy to work with you on a Task Force and to have a larger conversation with the community about both the Parking and the Sports Center. We understand that it's a challenge and the rates seem a little inconsistent, so happy to work with you on it...
As far back as 1991, Roosevelt Island disabled residents were allowed to park for free at the Motorgate Garage,
but not any longer.
Without any prior notice from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC), invoices were received last month by disabled residents informing them that their Motorgate Garage parking fees were increasing from zero to $125 per month.
During the January 17, Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee meeting, Co-Chair Erin Feely-Nahem asked RIOC Public Safety Department Chief Kevin Brown about the new charges for disabled people parking at the Motorgate Garage. According to Ms Feely-Nahem:
... what are we going to do if people can't afford to pay for their handicapped spots...
Ms Feely-Nahem also expressed concern about increased traffic congestion on Main Street caused by the parking increase at Motorgate Garage.
Here's the RIRA Public Safety Committee discussion on the issue.
Today, Roosevelt Island elected officials including Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, NY State Senator Liz Kreuger and NYC Council Member Julie Menin sent a letter to RIOC President Shelton Haynes regarding this issue. According to the letter:
We are writing to you regarding the recent monthly increase for disabled permit holders
at the Motorgate Garage at 688 Main Street. We ask that you pause on implementing this fare
increase and consider a more gradual approach which gives impacted members of the
community more time to plan financially and become familiar with the new payment structure....
Here's the entire letter.
On February 2, RIOC sent out this advisory regarding the Motorgate Parking rate increases.
Dear Resident,
RIOC has announced price increases for monthly permit holders at the Motorgate Garage at 688 Main Street. It is important to note that the decision to make increases was not made lightly. Critical infrastructure improvements have been made in the sum of a $20M investment to the Motorgate Parking Garage. With the rise of operating costs, upcoming projects, and worldwide inflation, RIOC has decided to raise its parking rates for the first time in over ten years.
RIOC's approach when examining parking rates centered around a fair and equitable increase for all monthly permit categories. The notification of rate increases began in September 2022. Recently, the disabled and handicapped parking monthly permits have sparked a discussion in the community. To clarify, while RIOC streamlined its monthly permit categories, we observed discrepancies among the rates for certain Island community members. The senior citizen rate is a total of $125. In the spirit of fairness, RIOC matched the senior citizen monthly parking rate to the disability/handicap category.
It should be noted that the average monthly parking permit in New York City is $570, nearly 360% more than what our seniors and handicapped population pay. While many New York City garages do not offer handicap or senior monthly permit rates. RIOC chose not to eliminate these categories as we recognize our incredible elderly and disabled communities.
While no one enjoys hearing the words "price increase," please know that RIOC hears the community's concerns and has considered them. With the Island community at the forefront, RIOC remains far below the city average. Notices for the handicapped/disabled and senior rates went out via email using the addresses on file from the vendor SP+ in December 2022, aligned with the vendor's obligation to give permit holders 30 days’ notice.
Also, to provide you a brief update, RIOC understands the growing need for additional parking on the Island, which is why President & CEO Haynes announced that RIOC has plans for a traffic study aimed to better understand and identify where areas on the Island that can be redesigned for additional designated parking areas and transform underutilized spaces.
We hope to have provided some clarity on the issue and appreciate your understanding in advance.
In February 2022, RIRA Committee Chairs toured the Motorgate Garage exploring ideas for increasing parking spots and RIRA's Frank Farance proposed expanding the garage by building an addition in the currently vacant quadrant of the area.
UPDATE 2/13 - This evening, RIOC sent out the following email announcement:
Dear Roosevelt Island Community,
I have spoken to countless Island residents and stakeholders and have had time to consider your feedback concerning the permit rate increases, specifically the disabled rate at the Motorgate Garage. RIOC remains committed to finding an equitable solution for all. However, RIOC cannot lower the $125 fee and adopt a more minor increase, as this would not be fair to our elderly constituents. In the spirit of impartiality, I must stand by my decision, as both groups should be treated fairly.
To that end, RIOC will compromise as today I am announcing that all Motorgate Garage rate increases will be postponed, to be effective April 1, to ensure ample time is given to all permit holders beyond SP+’s required 30-day notice. The ample notice should provide all permit holders, including our disabled community, more time to plan financially and become familiar with the new payment structure. In the coming weeks, SP+ will communicate the timeframe for crediting permit holders' accounts for those subject to the increase.
For more information or concerns, please contact SP Plus at 1-800-245-4714.
I appreciate your understanding.
Best wishes,
SHELTON J. HAYNES
President & CEO
UPDATE 4/10:
According to RIOC:
Motorgate Garage Monthly Parking Permit Holders,
After careful consideration, RIOC has adjusted the monthly permit rates
at the Motorgate Garage – aiming to be fair and equitable to all Island
permit holders.
General Update:
Monthly permit holder rates will experience an annual 2% increase to
accommodate rising operating expenses and allow for further upgrades to
the facility, effective May 1, 2024.
Disabled Monthly Parking Permit Holders:
Beginning May 1, 2023, the Disabled monthly parking permit rate will be
reduced from the proposed $125 rate to $62.50 only for existing enrolled
customers before April 6, 2023, at 11:59 PM for a period of one year
through May 1, 2024. On May 1, 2024, the Disabled monthly rate will be
aligned with the Senior Citizen parking rate. All new customers applying
for the Disabled monthly parking permit rate will be subject to the
proposed $125 rate.
Disabled monthly parking permit holders who were charged for April will be reimbursed by the Garage operator SP Plus.
RIOC remains committed to preserving and protecting the quality of life
for all community members while also providing the gold standard of
services to our Island community,” said RIOC President and CEO Shelton
Haynes. “The disabled community is the heart and soul of the Island, and
I thank them for their continued partnership. A special thank you to
the President of RIDA, Wendy Hersh, for furthering the discussion and
collaboratively working with RIOC to find a more fair solution for all
Disabled Parking Permit holders.”
“I want to thank President Haynes and the Roosevelt Island Operating
Corporation for listening to our concerns and working with us to develop
a more affordable parking permit rate for individuals with
disabilities,” stated Wendy Hersh, President of the Roosevelt Island
Disabled Association (RIDA). “We appreciated RIDA having a seat at the
table when it came time to re-evaluate these rates, and we look forward
to continuing this productive, open, and honest dialogue with RIOC in
the future.”
RIOC remains committed to preserving and protecting the quality of life
of all community members while providing the gold standard of services. A
special thank you to the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association for
furthering the dialogue and working with RIOC in a collaborative effort.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
about a doubling of the monthly resident parking fee to $350.
Many Roosevelt Island residents who are monthly Motorgate Garage customers asked questions similar to this resident:
Did you find out if residents are getting garage price hike? Everyone is freaking out.
This afternoon, Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) President Shelton Haynes sent out a letter about the Motorgate parking rate increases. According to Mr Haynes:
I understand some misinformation has spread concerning the monthly parking rates at the Motorgate Garage located at 688 Main Street New York, NY 10044. Please allow me to clarify what happened and give you the facts.
Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) and Manhattan Park (an entity with a share of the garage) have contracted a vendor, SP Plus, to oversee the garage operations. Subsequently, SP Plus has sent out an inaccurate notice to monthly parking permit holders advising of rate increases. RIOC will take action to correct the error by the vendor. However, I want to address your concerns regarding the mentioned increases within the notice.
For over 14 years, the rates have remained flat for all permit holders while area parking garage prices have continued to soar.
While still achieving our goal of providing the best quality of life possible and keeping it affordable – RIOC will be increasing resident monthly parking permit fees for the first time in over a decade by $25 per month. In comparison, non-resident fees will increase by $76.03 per month.
The improvements and elevated services will prove to be immeasurable.
The new rates will be going into effect November 14, 2022 for resident permit holders and non-resident permit holders. Working together, we will continue to spotlight the beauty of Roosevelt Island while being a model for other communities in New York State to follow.
For more information or concerns, please contact SP Plus at 1-800-245-4714.
A Roosevelt Island resident and Motorgate Garage monthly customer
shares this email sent from Motorgate parking operator SP Plus Parking of a rate hike increase to $350
from the current monthly posted charge of $160.
The resident asks:
Wtf is going on?
I asked the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) today for an explanation of the rate hike but no response yet. A Motorgate Garage attendant told me this afternoon that the parking rates for non-residents are going up even more.
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Please be advised, RIOC will begin interior and exterior power washing
at the Motorgate Atrium and the Helix area beginning the week of
4/25/22. All public areas will be cordoned off and protection will be
installed at the interior entrances within the garage. Elevator access
to the garage will be maintained at all times. Directional signs will
be posted within the Atrium to guide access to the elevators. The
anticipated duration of this project is two months.
Yesterday, work was being done washing the exterior of the Motorgate Atrium
As a new resident of Roosevelt Island I was shocked to learn of the wait list
for monthly parking spaces at the only garage on the island. Is this an area
that is being addressed? I understand the concern to keep the amount of cars
on the island to a minimum but offering parking to local residence should be a
priority for the community.
I have never seen the garage full so I am curious who we need to contact
to open up more spaces for residents who should be the priority for parking.
As a person with a disability transportation is key and having to park off the
island is not something that is sustainable. I wish I knew this was going to
be an issue prior to moving to the island. Now with the new hotel, I am sure
that parking will be an even bigger issue.
I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Information Officer Amy
Smith if there was a waiting list for monthly Motorgate parking garage spots
and:
...How many parking spots are in Motorgate and how many are available on a
monthly basis?
Has anything happened to reduce the amount of monthly parking spots?
Ms Smith answered:
While the construction performed improved Motorgate Garage from a safety
standpoint by expanding disabled spots and adding safety zones on each
floor, as well as corrected structural damage like leaks and waterproofed
surfaces, it was never meant to expand the garage.
These improvements, combined with an increased number of residents opting to
drive rather than take public transportation due to COVID-19, as well as a
general increase in Roosevelt Island residents, has given way to a wait list
for a spot in Motorgate Garage.
A Motorgate Parking staffer said there are at least 200 people on the
monthly parking waiting list and no idea when more spaces would become available but there are daily parking spots available.
Here is the latest update from New York State for May 21, 2020
Enjoying Memorial Day While On PAUSE
Memorial Day is a special time when we honor those who committed the ultimate sacrifice for our country. This year, as we continue to face the threat that COVID-19 poses to our community, let us also commit to doing everything we can to ensure we remain as safe as possible over the long holiday weekend.
When enjoying our many beautiful public spaces (the promenades along the East River, Lighthouse Park, Meditation Lawn, Meditation Steps, Good Shepherd Plaza, Blackwell Park, Riverwalk Commons, Southpoint Park and FDR Four Freedoms State Park), please remember to maintain social distancing whenever possible.
Wear a mask or face covering whenever you cannot maintain a safe distance of at least six feet from someone else.
Avoid gathering in groups of more than ten people. In order to discourage large gatherings, all public grills will be removed while NYC remains on PAUSE.
By working together, we can do our part to help make everyone safer. RIOC wishes all Roosevelt Island residents and their families a safe, happy and healthy Memorial Day weekend.
Tram Passenger Limits
In an effort to ensure social distancing and reduce spreading COVID-19, the Roosevelt Island Tram will be limited to a maximum of thirteen (13) passengers until further notice. POMA, the tram’s operator, has installed social distancing decals on the tram cabin to inform passengers how far away they should be standing from each other. Please note that the number of passengers may be changed in response to COVID-19 infection rates.
We ask all passengers to continue to wear masks or face coverings in public where social distancing cannot be practiced. The Tram remains closed from 1:00 AM until 6:00 AM to ensure that disinfecting measures can be performed on the cabins. Regular tram service resumes at 6:00 AM each day and continue until 1:00 AM the following morning.
Mask and Hand Sanitizer Giveaway from Mayor’s Office and Assemblymember Seawright
Everyone is invited to come to Good Shepherd Plaza on Tuesday, May 26th from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM to receive a free face mask from the Public Safety Department (courtesy of the NYC Mayor’s Office) and free hand sanitizer from Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright. Everyone will be required to observe social distancing procedures. A special thank you for Lynne Shinozaki, Joyce Short and Andrew Kunkes, Manhattan Borough Director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs.
PSD and RIOC also wish to thank the following people for their continued generosity in donating hand sanitizer and masks during the COVID-19 crisis:
NYS Senator Jose Serrano
Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright
Councilmember Ben Kallos
Farmers Market Resumes This Saturday
The Farmers Market will resume this Saturday in Good Shepherd Plaza from 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Please note the new start time. Click here for more information: rioc.ny.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=284.
Note: there will be NO Food Scrap Drop Off collection. If you wish for the Compost Program to return, please follow @SaveNYCCompost on twitter for more information.
NY Forward – Reopening NYC and Roosevelt Island
When will New York City reopen? The best place for information is the New York Forward Regional Monitoring Dashboard, which can be found by clicking here: forward.ny.gov/regional-monitoring-dashboard
As of this morning, the NYC region only meets 4 out of the 7 criteria to begin reopening. Please refer to the dashboard regularly for the very latest information.
Reopening RIOC
The region may still be closed due to COVID-19, but RIOC is already working with Governor Cuomo’s office on a plan to safely reopen our offices as soon as possible. Please watch future RIOC Advisories for the latest information on this effort.
Tikkit Helps RIOC Help You
Tikkit is not just the best way for the public to report a problem, it also helps RIOC do a better job. Every time you use Tikkit to report a problem, it is forwarded to the appropriate department for handling. That department is accountable for making sure the problem is addressed as soon as possible. This data helps give us a live picture of our strengths and weaknesses, which help us serve you better.
Tikkit is easy to use from your smartphone or computer and even allows you to attach a photo of the problem. It’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Click here to get started. rioc.tikkit.us/login
Motorgate Changes Coming in Early June
Due to ongoing Motorgate repair work, significant parking and traffic pattern changes will be coming to the north sections of 5B, 6B, 7B and 8B in early June 2020. Please keep an eye out for signs and obey posted speed limits.
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Motorgate Garage repair work will begin on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 in Sections 6C, 7C & 8C (south building). No Parking will be allowed in these areas after Midnight, November 19, 2019. Violators will be towed at car owner’s expense. After November 20, 2019 customers may park in 6D, 7D & 8D. Please Note: Speed bumps have been installed for safety. Please look for the attached notice to begin appearing in and around Motorgate.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) sent out this advisory at 9:05 AM:
Due to Police Activity, Main Street from 2 River Road to 40 River Road and Motorgate Garage will be shut down until further notice. We apologize for this inconvenience.
The incident began shortly after 7 AM. At approximately 10 AM the NYPD Emergency Services Unit talked the man down.
UPDATE 5:30 PM - Roosevelt Island resident Frank Farance witnessed the incident. Mr Farance shares these photos and reports:
Thank God that the jumper was talked down, did not take his life, and accepted help.
NONE of the photos include the jumper. The jumper is on the other side (south-facing). The first photo is around 08:30-ish when NYPD ESU was still negotiated with the jumper.
The second photo is the air cushion that was quickly inflated.
The third photo is the last moments where officers are pleading and reaching out to the jumper.
Moments later (and not in photos), the negotiations appear to be successful as the officers have switched from Negotiation to Rescue: officers taking precautions to safely extract the jumper from the ledge.
I prayed several times for the jumper, my prayers were answered, and we were all very relieved for the jumper to have turned away from suicide.
... Phase I of the Motorgate Improvement Project will be starting this week. Please click the following link for details from past releases that discuss the scope of work taking place. rioc.ny.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=116
Sections 3D, 4D, 5D, 6D, 7D & 8D in the south building are now closed to parking. Cars found parked in these sections will be towed. Please note that the rooftop will remain open throughout construction.
RIOC staff has scheduled the work to occur in a way that allows the facility to remain open throughout construction. Work will take place Mondays through Fridays only between the hours of 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. We do not anticipate night or weekend work to be necessary at this time. If that changes, we will let you know.
Please note that the traffic pattern on the fourth floor of the garage has been changed significantly to accommodate this closure. The below graphic demonstrates the new traffic pattern.
For the safety of all patrons and pedestrians, please drive slowly while in the garage. Adhere to all traffic signs posted throughout the garage and watch for new signage. Please follow the directions of the contractor’s flagman, PSD, and Motorgate personnel.
We expect Phase I of this important project to be completed in the fall of 2019. Since this kind of work cannot be performed during the winter months, Phase II will begin in spring 2020. All construction is expected to be completed in late 2020....
Roosevelt Island resident, activist and Motorgate user Frank Farance believes changes to the Motorgate traffic pattern and installation of speed bumps in Motorgate during the renovation creates unsafe conditions. According to this excerpt from June 10 message sent by Mr. Farance to RIOC and posted as a comment to this post:
... imagine how you'll feel when a motorist, during the morning rush, hits a speed bump and pulls down the conduit that impales and kills another motorist, or a child in the passenger seat. And then think about how easily it will be to demonstrate RIOC's culpability, via some expert witness citing (say) some of the sources below. Absolutely dangerous, Motorgate staff have already received complaints, but they say this is RIOC's work.
The speed bumps in Motorgate should be immediately removed because:
(1) Speed bumps are dangerous because there isn't enough clearance.
(2) According to NYC Building Code, RIOC would need to change the height advertised at Motorgate's entrance from 6'10" (82 inches) to 6'2" (74 inches), which would exclude many vehicles, including park-and-ride vans used for car pools.
(3) A vehicle can hit the beam because the speed bumps are installed directly below the beams, which maximizes the hazard
(4) Speed bumps should not be used in a facility with Low Clearance.
(5) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recommends distance of 200-300 feet between speed bumps, these speed bumps are installed approx 50 feet apart, i.e., too close.
(6) Conduit from the cameras was originally installed wrong, i.e., in the middle of the roadway which reduces clearance by 2 inches, which further aggravates the Low Clearance problem.
(7) A vehicle making contact with the conduit can bring down the whole line of conduit (approx 500 in the A aisle), which can impale other vehicles driving in the lane causing injury or death
(8) With section 4D closed off, there is no signage for detours, and vehicles are crossing over from 4C (garage entrance) to 4A with traffic in both directions, including over the speed bumps.
(9) The speed bumps reduce the surface area (36.75 sq-in/wheel, Vehicle Dynamics Institute) where the wheel touches the ground and, thus, increases the load from 3000 lbs/sq-ft/axle to 6,000 to 9,000 lbs/sq-ft and, thus, further deteriorates the surface, e.g., a 6000 pound car does as much damage as an 18,000 pound vehicle.
(10) Vertical acceleration at the speed bump is approx 8 m/sec/sec (gravity is 9.8 m/sec/sec), thus a 3000 lbs/sq-ft/axle is compressed into (say) 9,000 lbs/sq-ft and further amplified by vertical acceleration, a factor of (8+9.8)/9.8, i.e., 16,350 lbs/sq-ft-/axle, or as if the vehicle had weight approx 33,000 pounds.
(11) Speed bumps can grab/drag undercarriage of low suspension vehicles, such as sports cars. If this happens, it will completely block the aisle and jam up Motorgate.
(12) A vehicle can impact the beam, possibly with dangerous or catastrophic consequences to the structure.
(13) There is no signage indicating a speed bump.
(14) Residents will suffer damage to their vehicles as these speed bumps are equivalent to driving over 4-inch curbs....
Another Roosevelt Island resident and Motorgate Garage user Cheshire Kitty added:
I asked RIOC President Susan Rosenthal:
Do you have any comment on Frank Farance's June 10 email regarding potential safety hazard of speed bumps recently installed on the 4th floor of Motorgate garage....
... What was the reason for installing the speed bumps?
Does RIOC intend to reconsider the placement of the 4th floor speed bumps? Or will they remain in place?
RIOC Chief Operating Officer Shelton Haynes replied with the following statement late Friday afternoon June 14:
As RIOC enters the final stages of contract negotiation with the contractor who will be doing the necessary repair work on the Motorgate structure, I wanted to update the community on a few items.
We expect work to begin in about a week or so. Please note that all work will be done in strict adherence of New York City Building Code regulations. At least two fire exits will remain accessible near the work area at all times during construction.
Speed bumps have been installed at various locations in the garage to control speed throughout the parking facility once construction begins. Required clearances between the top of the speed bump and the ceiling structure have been maintained. These temporary speed bumps have been installed for the safety of Motorgate customers, parking garage staff, construction crews and RIOC/PSD personnel during construction. Two-way traffic in these areas is necessary to allow Motorgate to remain open while the necessary repair work takes place. This traffic pattern has been thoroughly reviewed and approved by RIOC, its subcontractors and consultants.
All signage that is contrary to the new traffic flow is already in the process of being blocked. New signage is in the process of being installed. Please note that traffic flow through Motorgate will continue to be monitored throughout construction. All safety measures and signage will be adjusted accordingly as conditions and realities dictate. In the meantime, we encourage all customers to go slow and be careful while they drive through the garage.
We appreciate your ongoing cooperation throughout this project.
Here's the May 9 RIOC Operations Advisory Committee meeting discussion
of the Motorgate Garage Improvements Project.
UPDATE 6:45 PM - Just heard from another Roosevelt Island resident:
My car bottomed out on the speed bumps!!
I reported it on line.
UPDATE 6/18 - And another resident:
Every time I go by now, even at 4 miles an hour, everything in my car shakes!!!
It’s not a smooth bump, it’s too ruff of a bump and too high.
Motorgate Garage Improvements to Begin Week of June 3rd
As announced on April 30, 2019, a phased renovation for the Motorgate garage will be starting shortly. The improvements will address deficiencies in the space. The work will be phased to allow for the continued use of the garage as construction progresses.
What’s happening:
Repair concrete surfaces to remove cracked, spalled, and delaminated concrete.
Install slip resistant topping coating as needed.
Replace the existing expansion joint material.
Repair & upgrade the existing drainage system.
Apply a waterproofing system on the parking deck, ramps, walkways, and curbs.
Re-stripe the parking spaces and install new wayfinding signage.
Install electric car charging stations.
What to expect and when:
Effective June 1, 2019 and throughout construction of sections 3D, 4D, 5D, 6D, 7D & 8D, monthly rates for patrons with reserved parking spaces will be adjusted accordingly.
Beginning June 3, 2019, sections 3D, 4D, 5D, 6D, 7D & 8D in the south building will be closed. No parking is allowed in these sections after midnight on June 2, 2019. Violators will be towed.
As a reminder, we expect phase 1 work to be completed in the fall of 2019. No work will occur during the winter months. Construction activities will resume in spring 2020. We anticipate completion of all construction activities in the fall of 2020.
What residents can do to help:
Your continued patience and cooperation is appreciated as we require residents to temporarily relocate their vehicles within the garage.
Please observe and comply with temporary modifications to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic patterns.
For your safety, please stay out of construction areas and other areas as posted.
Community advisories with detailed updates on the Motorgate garage improvements will be sent out as the project progresses. To receive alerts visit rioc.ny.gov and sign up for Island Community Advisories.
Here's the May 9 RIOC Operations Advisory Committee meeting discussion
As part of the ongoing initiative to improve the Island’s infrastructure, a contractor was selected to complete improvements in the Motorgate garage that will address deficiencies in the space. The work will be phased to allow for the continued use of the garage as construction progresses.
What’s happening:
Repair concrete surfaces to remove cracked, spalled and delaminated concrete. Install slip resistant topping coating as needed.
Replace the existing expansion joint material.
Repair & upgrade the existing drainage system.
Apply a waterproofing system on the parking deck, ramps, walkways, and curbs.
Restripe the parking spaces and install new wayfinding signage.
Install electric car charging stations.
What to expect and when:
Over the next few weeks, monthly patrons impacted by the first phase of work will be notified. Patrons will be relocated as necessary to accommodate the work schedule.
Phase I — first half repair work is scheduled to be performed in Spring 2019 through Fall of 2019
Phase II— second half repair work is slated to be performed in Spring 2020 through Fall of 2020
What residents can do to help:
Your continued patience and cooperation is appreciated as we require residents to temporarily relocate their vehicles within the garage.
Please observe and comply with temporary modifications to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic patterns.
For your safety, please stay out of construction areas and other areas as posted.
“Residents have been living with the effects of the deterioration of Motorgate for too long; accordingly, we are happy to move forward with this extensive project to address those problems.” said Susan Rosenthal, President and CEO of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation.
The Motorgate Garage management company, SP+, will be contacting monthly parking customers regarding any relocations or other necessary information. In addition, advisories with detailed updates on the Motorgate garage improvements will be sent out to the community as the project progresses. To receive alerts visit rioc.ny.gov and sign up for Island Community Advisories.
UPDATE 12:20 - The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse asks:
Do these improvements include updates to the smell of rotting carcasses that plagued us all last summer?
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) and Gallery RIVAA will host an opening reception for the new exhibit of Fall For Arts Festival Murals at the Motorgate Gallery Friday evening, April 5 from 6:30 to 8 PM
Join us for the unveiling of the 2018 Fall for Arts Festival murals being added to Roosevelt Island’s Motorgate Gallery, located in the Motorgate Garage Atrium.
Includes, a reception in the Atrium with live music from Roosevelt Island band The Jazz Kats, light refreshments, and a tour of this unique art.
Artists will be on hand to give insight into how they interpreted last year’s theme-Exploring Your Freedom: Uniting a Nation.
Healthy Building International Inc. has been retained by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) to conduct water sampling and analysis at several drinking water fountain locations in parks and playgrounds across Roosevelt Island, RIOC President and CEO Susan Rosenthal said Tuesday.
The tests are designed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the water and to confirm its acceptability for consumption. The samples will be compared with the relevant federal Department of Environmental Protection (EPA) contaminant levels of microbials, metals and inorganic substances.
A plumbing engineer selected from RIOC’s newly formed A&E (Architectural and Engineering) Services committee (a panel of qualified, multi-disciplined architects and engineers) will help RIOC officials interpret the results, draft and consider potential solutions. The water analysis and a downstream review is focused on each specific point of water line connection to each actual fountain or public use spigot or valve.
RIOC announced last Friday that it was immediately shutting down water fountains after concerns, raised by Roosevelt Island resident Frank Farance about potential water source lines, prompted the agency to schedule the analysis.
“As-built drawings” – the final set of drawings a contractor files to document work, changes, construction processes and the location of all elements of the work completed and maintained - were not archived for work at all the parks and playgrounds built in the early 1970s and maintained thereafter. Those drawings document whether the playground fountains are connected to the irrigation lines or domestic water lines in the area. Without the “as-built” drawings for the other drinking fountains on the Island, RIOC cannot be certain about the connection source of all the other fountains.
RIOC had the “as-builts” for Southpoint Park’s drinking fountain from 2010 and can verify that the water is from its domestic line not the park’s irrigation system.
It was revealed during a recent water use disagreement with Wildlife Freedom Foundation (WFF), which runs cat sanctuaries on the Island, that the WFF water hose was using an irrigation line connection for its Southpoint sanctuary. (WFF has since said it was willing to continue to use “not potable,” irrigation water for their Southpoint sanctuary).
In addition to this project, The A&E services committee is expected to help RIOC manage capital projects, infrastructure maintenance and repairs – including the Sportspark renovations, the FDR Hope Memorial, the Firefighters Field comfort station/bathroom construction, future Lighthouse renovations, elevator consultant and Motorgate repairs - more efficiently and simply put, “get things done more quickly,” Rosenthal said.
MOTORGATE
At our June board of directors meeting, another group, Architecture and Engineering Group, P.C. (AEG); was awarded a contract to re-inspect the entire Motorgate facility, conduct a parking analysis and prepare documents for the plans to repair the garage. More details will be forthcoming.
WORKLISTS for the Tram Platforms, HELIX ramps and graffiti at the Prow
While major construction on both the Tram platforms and the Helix is complete, you may have noticed workers completing a series of additional tasks which include some additional asphalt and materials finishes.
The additional work – which includes concrete finishing work on the platforms and on the Helix’s upper ramp (the return ramp to Queens from Motorgate), repaving and repair of the Flat Plaza (where the RI flagpoles are located), undersides work, installation of guardrails on the lower ramp; and lane, asphalt and crosswalk striping at both ends of the ramp – also includes fixes to incomplete or incorrect installations or incidental damage to existing finishes, material, and structures; and must be completed by the contractor prior to final payment.
“We have been informed some of this work may cause travel delays on the Helix or at the Tram stations at Roosevelt Island and midtown Manhattan during the next couple weeks. As soon as we have more details, we will advise,” Rosenthal said.
Graffiti removal at The Prow, the metal dingy-like boat structure that juts out into the East River near Octagon Park has begun. RIOC crews are using Prosoco-brand paint remover which is environmental friendly and works well on metal.
After application, the product “cures” for up to an hour, before the surface is brushed and then power-washed with regular water. This step may have to be repeated several times to remove some of the Prow’s toughest graffiti spots.
Once the surface is free of graffiti, RIOC grounds crews will apply a wax-based product as a protective layer to make any new graffiti easier to remove with just a power washer as the layer of wax (and the new graffiti will “melt” away. A new layer of wax is then reapplied.
The work on the Prow and other graffiti-defaced areas around the Island is expected to continue through September.
Fourth of July Activities
RIOC is proud of have hosted more than 8,600 visitors to our Fourth of July Family Fireworks viewing event last week.
Many thanks to our partners at Cornell Tech and FDR Four Freedoms State Park, NYPD, FDNY, RIOC’s grounds, facilities, and other staff members especially our entire cadre of PSD officers, most of whom worked on foot, bike, car and from aerial viewing spots – vetting incoming car traffic at the Roosevelt Island bridge, handling crowd control from Lighthouse to Southpoint parks; and manning designated security posts from 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
“I’d also like to extend a special shout-out to Erica Spencer-EL and Jessica Murray, the director and manager of our Community Affairs Department for leading the event coordination task group and their diligent contributions to what became a record-breaking, memorable day,” Rosenthal said.
“We’ve scheduled debriefing meetings this week with our teams to review the event’s logistics to see how we can improve for next year,” she said.
MORE OUTDOOR MOVIES
Be sure not to miss RIOC’s ongoing slate of outdoor movies in Southpoint Park this summer, next up include:
Friday, July 20: Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi; (rain date July 27)
Saturday, July 21: The Fifth Element; (rain date July 28)
Friday, August 3: Black Panther; (rain date August 10)
Friday, August 17: A Wrinkle in Time; (rain date August 24).
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.
