There Are 8 Million Stories In The Naked City - This One Begins With A Hospitalized Infectious Disease Carrier Climbing Staircase Escaping Welfare (Roosevelt) Island Up To Queensboro Bridge And Then Walking Across To Manhattan

There are 8 million stories in the Naked City - this one begins climbing a staircase up from Welfare Island, (now Roosevelt Island) to the Queensboro Bridge and then walking across to Manhattan.

The 1962 TV Program Naked City episode titled Carrier gives us a look at the Welfare (Roosevelt) Island staircase to the Queensboro Bridge.

Screenshot From You Tube

According to the You Tube episode description:

After 14 years of self-imposed exile, a young woman who carries a deadly infectious disease leaves Welfare Island (now called Roosevelt Island) for Manhattan, alerting the NYPD to a potential plague.

Watch the full Naked City episode of Carrier. The Welfare (Roosevelt) Island scenes are at the beginning and end.

From 1919 to 1955 there was vehicle and pedestrian access from the Queensboro Bridge to Welfare (Roosevelt) Island. According to Neil Tandon writing for the Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS):

... The Elevator Storehouse, opened in 1919, housed an elevator that transported cars and people from the Queensboro Bridge down to the present-day Tramway Plaza. In addition, it contained storage space and a reception ward for the island's Metropolitan Hospital. The building, whose main lobby was on its top floor, was nicknamed the upside-down building and was featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not for its peculiar design. With the opening of the Welfare Island Bridge, the building closed in 1955 and was demolished in 1970.... 

Image of Elevator Storehouse From Greater Astoria Historical Society

Great views of the trolley stop, passenger elevator, and vehicle elevators which used to serve Roosevelt Island (nee Welfare Island) from the Queensboro Bride.

Thanks much, @Emma12438! https://t.co/9U3qnB8qJu pic.twitter.com/47QlhmUbQu

— The Fox and the City (Blair Lorenzo) (@foxandcity) July 3, 2021

All the bridges should have stairs but it’s crazy, even reckless in these days of ecological catastrophe, that there are no stairs leading from Roosevelt Island onto the 59th St. Bridge. pic.twitter.com/EQcs8kgNHg

— elliot sperber (@elliot_sperber) July 10, 2021

I don’t think there are any stairs to Roosevelt Island inside the Queensboro bridge. There is supposedly an unused passenger elevator from Queensboro Bridge down to Vernon Blvd in LIC. @NormandeauNewsw https://t.co/uwLCpgHH8H

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) July 11, 2021

According to the NYC Ambulance History Facebook Page:

The top floor of the Elevator Storehouse, as it was known, was a ‘Reception Hospital’ or ER, where patients were evaluated and treated before being put on the elevator for transfer to one of three hospitals on the island: Metropolitan, City or Island. The first two were relocated in the early 50’s while the shell of Island Hospital remains standing. The Elevator Storehouse served as the central materials supply depot for the Department of Hospitals.... It was demolished to make way for the Roosevelt Island Tram.

And:

The only legal way for pedestrians or bicyclists to get across the Queensborough Bridge for a long time was. (starting at Manhattan side) take the stairway at the south side of the bridge at 59th street to the upper_ level.

Then use the narrow walkway alongside the southern (eastward heading) roadway - which had lots of girders sticking through it... - _halfway_ across the bridge until you were over Welfare Island.

Then... another stairway sticking _out_ from that walkway, over the water, and leading to a passageway _under_ the lower level which took you over to the roof of the hospital building. (There might have been another stairway to get back up the flight).

Then... you'd go across the roof of the building to the elevator and be brought down to street level of the island...

In 2015, Cornell Tech Assistant Director of Government & Community Affairs Jane Swanson reported that Cornell Tech raised the subject of pedestrian access from Roosevelt Island to the Queensboro Bridge with the NYC Department of Transportation during the Bloomberg administration in 2013, but at that time the Bloomberg administration was not interested in pursuing a feasibility study due to its scale, complexity and cost.

Ms. Swanson added that Cornell Tech was:

... very much in favor of this.... Providing pedestrian access to the Queensboro Bridge is something that we support very much....

and:

... we would love this idea to pursue it but it probably is a long shot... never say never and we are open to all sorts of different ways of approaching it....

Here's the discussion.

In 2019, a Roosevelt Island resident asked former Roosevelt Island Operating Corp President Susan Rosenthal about pedestrian access to the Queensboro Bridge and Ms Rosenthal responded as follows:

HEY SUSAN! Has RIOC ever investigated the possibility of reinstating access for Roosevelt Island residents to the Queensboro bridge?  I recently came across some old news articles and found that RIRA made a presentation to Community Board 8 back in 2007 to try and convince them that – for multiple reasons, including safety, the growing Island population and strain on public transit and general connectivity – it was important to reinstate pedestrian access to the Queensboro bridge from Roosevelt Island. 

See http://uppergreenside.org/blog/2007/04/11/roosevelt-island-queensboro-bridge-access/.  CB8 unanimously approved RIRA’s proposal for conducting a feasibility study to physically connect Roosevelt Island to the Queensboro Bridge pedestrian and bike path, but the trail seems to end there.  A few online articles reflect that DOT did not seem to take the request seriously.

I understand that the bridge is under the City’s control.  That said: Would RIOC support residents in a push to raise this issue again at Community Board 8 and/or with the Department of Transport? 

The importance and utility of creating this link has only grown since 2007.  The Island population continues to grow.  Two new Riverwalk buildings are planned right next to the bridge.  We now have Cornell Tech.  A hotel is being constructed, and an Executive Education Center.  Amazon will be building its new HQ2 directly south of the bridge in Long Island City.  The ferry and Tram are great, but a walking link to Manhattan and LIC would be transformative for the Island (and frankly, they seem like a good idea from a safety/evacuation plan point of view). 

There are so many people and entities on the Island (including RIOC) that would benefit from this increased connectivity.  What can we as Roosevelt Island residents do to push this issue?  If RIRA were to raise this again, could it count on RIOC’s support?  Would RIOC be willing to play a role in bringing together representatives from Hudson Related and Cornell Tech to urge them to support this proposal? 

SUSAN: Yes, having such an elevator or stair connection to the 59^th Street Bridge does seem to be a good idea in theory, but several feasibility studies have shown we don’t have the land area on the Island to build it. We would suggest that you contact City Council Member Ben Kallos’ office directly to inquire more about other current plans being discussed. 

There Once Was A Stairway To Roosevelt Island From Queensboro Bridge, Take A Look - When It Was Welfare Island

At one time, there was a stairway from the Queensboro Bridge to Roosevelt Island, then Welfare Island. The Twitterverse gives us a glimpse of that stairway.

A glimpse of the stairway to Welfare Island, now Roosevelt Island. (Though the elevator from the Queensboro bridge was closed by 1966) pic.twitter.com/SsGeSyqW4W

— Daniel Walber (@DSWalber) October 7, 2016

As reported in October 2015:

From 1919 to 1955 there was vehicle and pedestrian access from the Queensboro Bridge to Roosevelt (then Welfare) Island. According to Neil Tandon writing for the Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS):

... The Elevator Storehouse, opened in 1919, housed an elevator that transported cars and people from the Queensboro Bridge down to the present-day Tramway Plaza. In addition, it contained storage space and a reception ward for the island's Metropolitan Hospital. The building, whose main lobby was on its top floor, was nicknamed the upside-down building and was featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not for its peculiar design. With the opening of the Welfare Island Bridge, the building closed in 1955 and was demolished in 1970....

 Image Of Elevator Storehous Ramp To Queensboro Bridge  From Judy Berdy Roosevelt Island Historical Society

Image of Elevator Storehous From Greater Astoria Historical Society

UPDATE 10/9 - I asked Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy:

Was there once a stairway from Welfare Island to Queensboro Bridge?

I know there was an elevator.

Ms Berdy replied:

There was the storehouse building that had 5 or 6 elevators which were for vehicles, including a fire truck and heavy trucks that delivered to the institutions on the island. There were a few elevators for pedestrians and those arriving and departing on the trolleys used.

The only stairs that I know of were at First Avenue and at Vernon Blvd. leading to the upper level which was originally for pedestrians. There were 4 towers and each also had an elevator.

The massive helix was never built, but it would have been fun for skateboarders.

This is about Benjamin Levitan, the Elevator Storehouse architect.

and Normandeau Newswire tweets:

@Rooseveltisland There is a now unused passenger elevator from bridge roadway down to Vernon Blvd

— Normandeau Newswire (@NormandeauNewsw) October 7, 2016

UPDATE 10/18 - Frank Farance tweets:

@DSWalber Those aren't stairs to Roosevelt Island, they're in Manhattan 59 St betw 1-2 Av, remnants still visible. https://t.co/kFJrHSV5pE pic.twitter.com/mjZ0TdSeXh

— Frank Farance (@farance) October 18, 2016

and comments here.

UPDATE 1/24/22 - More on access from Roosevelt Island to Queensboro Bridge  here including video from 1962 Naked City TV program showing staircase.

You're Invited To Opening Reception Of All Aboard To The Past Queensboro Bridge Trolley Photo Exhibition By Sid Kaplan At The Octagon Gallery Thursday July 17

Image From The Roosevelt Island Historical Society

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) will host an opening reception for a new photography exhibition by Sid Kaplan showcasing the Queensboro Bridge Trolley at the Octagon Gallery (888 Main Street) Thursday evening July 17 from 5- 8 PM.

Image From Roosevelt Island Historical Society

According to RIHS President Judy Berdy:

ALL ABOARD TO THE PAST: The Queensboro Bridge Trolley
Photographs by Sid Kaplan
Now on exhibit
Octagon Gallery
888 Main St.
Open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
RECEPTION: Thursday, July 17th 5-8 p.m.
on view thru July 24

Here's the last Queensboro Bridge Trolley



and more Queensboro Bridge Trolley history from a prior post and here.

The Queensboro Bridge Trolley Does Not Stop At Roosevelt (Formerly) Welfare Island Anymore - Or Anywhere Else, Here's Why

According to the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

Welfare island before it was Roosevelt island how much I ❤️ this theghostofqueenspast's photo http://t.co/jkBQqqrI3k
— Karla Espinoza (@KeePisces) May 17, 2014

Abandoned Stations by Joseph Brennan explains what happened to the Queensboro Bridge Trolley:

... The very last trolley line in the city, it ran just over a mile and a half from the underground terminal at 2 Ave to a street terminal at Queensborough Plaza. The primary reason it was kept open was the trolley station at the middle of the bridge span over Welfare Island (now Roosevelt Island), which was the only access to the island until a bridge was built from Queens in 1954. The Queensborough Bridge Railway was finally eliminated in 1957. The outboard lanes of the bridge were converted to auto lanes, and the underground terminal was converted to garage space for city vehicles....

NYC Roads adds:

... Two trolley lines were provided on the outer lanes of the lower level. The trolley service, operated by the Queensborough Bridge Railway, went back and forth between stations at each end of the bridge. The trolleys also stopped at two other stops on the bridge: one above Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City, the other above Roosevelt Island. From these stations, trolley riders descended a small staircase to a catwalk underneath the roadway, where they entered an "upside down building" (the entrance was on the roof) in which they took elevators to street level. Trolley service ended with the completion of the Roosevelt Island Bridge in 1955. The old elevator buildings were demolished in 1970....

and here's the last Queensboro Bridge Trolley.



Perhaps one day, Roosevelt Island pedestrian access to the Queensboro Bridge will return. Stay tuned for upcoming post with more info.

Local history is so cool.

Unusual Roosevelt Island On Film Tonight at 6:30 PM - See The Last Trolley Over Queensboro Bridge & Bridge's Centennial Celebration

You Tube Video of Last Queensboro Bridge Trolley Ride

The Roosevelt Island Public Library is hosting:

A series of presentations by Judith Berdy of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society, featuring our unusual Island on film!

Tonight at 6:30 PM the films shown will explore the Queensboro Bridge and it's relationship to Roosevelt Island lying right underneath. According to the Roosevelt Island Historical Society, tonight's films will be:

Modern Marvels: New York Bridges © 1999 A &E Television Networks
The story of the Queensboro Bridge and its construction. The bridge celebrated its centennial in 2009.

New York’s Last Trolleys © 2008 Sunday River Productions

Nostalgic Trolley Tour: Queens Trolleys © 1999 Mark I Video

Both videos bring to life the sites, sounds and bumpy rides of the trolleys that rode over the Queensboro Bridge from 1916 to 1957, and show Welfare Island in the 1950’s.

You Tube Video of Queensboro Bridge Centennial From Streetsfilms

More on the Queensboro Bridge Trolley from NYC Roads:

... Two trolley lines were provided on the outer lanes of the lower level. The trolley service, operated by the Queensborough Bridge Railway, went back and forth between stations at each end of the bridge. The trolleys also stopped at two other stops on the bridge: one above Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City, the other above Roosevelt Island. From these stations, trolley riders descended a small staircase to a catwalk underneath the roadway, where they entered an "upside down building" (the entrance was on the roof) in which they took elevators to street level. Trolley service ended with the completion of the Roosevelt Island Bridge in 1955. The old elevator buildings were demolished in 1970...

Image of QB Trolley Cars from Abandoned Stations - columbia.edu, David Pirmann Collection

and Abandoned Stations:

... The very last trolley line in the city, it ran just over a mile and a half from the underground terminal at 2 Ave to a street terminal at Queensborough Plaza. The primary reason it was kept open was the trolley station at the middle of the bridge span over Welfare Island (now Roosevelt Island), which was the only access to the island until a bridge was built from Queens in 1954. The Queensborough Bridge Railway was finally eliminated in 1957. The outboard lanes of the bridge were converted to auto lanes, and the underground terminal was converted to garage space for city vehicles....

Last year's Columbia University Roosevelt Island Transportation Study proposed a Queensboro Bridge Cultural Center with an updated 21st Century version of elevator access to the Bridge from Roosevelt Island.

Image by Columbia University Transportation Study Group

Wouldn't that be cool.