Update On Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Building 9 Construction Progress From Hudson Related Developer David Kramer - It's Going Up Fast, New Floor Of Concrete Poured Every 3 Days, Watch The Interview

Developer Hudson Related began construction on the 28 story Roosevelt Island Southtown Riverwalk Building 9 in November of 2022. 

I spoke with Hudson Related developer David Kramer last Monday at the building site about the construction progress. According to Mr Kramer, 

... We're now at the exciting stage of concrete where we pour a new floor every three days, so a three-day cycle. We're pouring the fifth floor tomorrow, which is Tuesday May 9th and we're pouring the sixth floor Friday and so basically, if you think about every three business days, we're pouring a different floor. We're getting to the top floor at the end of August. We're assuming we're going to top out this project at the end summer, end of August. 

Now this is sort of an exciting part of the construction where the concrete guys are really running the show and pouring a new floor every three days and they're followed behind by the plumbers, electricians, mechanicals and other subcontractors who will always be a few floors below where the concrete is poured....

.... Most important when we top out, we have a party and a Topping Out T Shirt... 

Mr Kramer anticipates Riverwalk Building 9 being completed by the end of 2024, beginning of 2025.

Here's the full interview with Mr Kramer.

and a photo montage showing the progress of construction at the site.

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 As previously reported:

... the lower eight floors of Riverwalk Building 9 will be acquired by Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital for workforce housing and the upper 19 floors will be market rate rental apartments.

Building 9 will have combined 7 thousand square feet of ground floor and below grade office space for the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp with a separate entrance and signage....

... Hudson Related will create a Public Commons space between building 8 and 9 that will include a new dog run. picnic tables, grill stations, amphitheater steps, porch swings, hammocks and cherry grove as shown below....

More information on Hudson Related $187 million Riverwalk Building 9 project from this RIOC Memo

 and this November 17, 2022 post.

Volunteers Ready To Clean Up, Remove Weeds And Beautify Shabby And Deteriorating Roosevelt Island Riverwak Commons Area Poorly Maintained By RIOC Says Southtown Resident - But Waiting 2 Weeks So Far For RIOC Boss To Approve So Work Can Begin

Roosevelt Island resident Josina Baez is sick and tired of the shabby and deteriorating condition of the Riverwalk Commons landscaping maintained by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) - or more precisely, its lack of proper care and maintenance.

Ms Baez writes:

Over the past few years the People’s (Riverwalk) Commons, because of lack of regular maintenance, has seriously deteriorated. Even the planting of annual flowers  was discontinued. 

New York City parks and numerous NY City local communities have volunteers who are assisting the NY Park’s department in taking care of their gardens. I believe we can do the same on Roosevelt Island. 

2 weeks ago with 2 other residents I met with Matthew Kibby, the chief of Roosevelt Island Grounds Dept. and we walked the Commons. Mr. Kibby having only +/- 10 people to take care of the whole island indicated that he would appreciate our RI residents help, but he had to get permission of his Boss for this to happen.

My request was: Clean up and weed and plant some annuals again. 

I DID NOT ASK FOR ANY FUNDS. 

I'm told this "Boss" sent my request to the RIOC LEGAL Dep't  and there it got stuck: no reply, no answer, no reason given for a YES or NO.

In the meantime the weeds are full grown plants by now and the Commons looks “run-down”. The Commons belongs to all RI residents, a place where residents come together to enjoy the outside, to socialize, to relax, to watch their children play. It also should be a place of beauty.

I spoke to Ms Baez today about her efforts to clean up and beautify the Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Commons.

Here's what she had to say.

 

As we finished our talk, RIOC groundskeepers were spotted cutting hedges around the Riverwalk Commons though according to Ms Baez and others, 

the groundskeepers should be using hand trimmers, not power trimming saw, to cut the hedges.

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Sneak A Peak Inside $4600 Roosevelt Island 2 Bedroom Apartment For Rent - How Has NYC Coronavirus Pandemic Shutdown Effected Roosevelt Island Residential Real Estate Market, Are You Staying Or Looking To Get Out?

Take a look at this 2 bedroom, 2 bath rental apartment at what looks to be the Riverwalk Court Condo building at 415 Main Street.



According to Cash Jordan, the broker in You Tube video:

Manhattan, its where the action is and living here is very convenient but this convenience comes at a cost because Manhattan is loud there's lots of noise and it's not exactly peaceful and that pretty much goes for all of Manhattan except for one specific neighborhood where you can have peace and quiet while still living in New York City's most popular borough. I'm not talking about the Upper West Side I'm not talking about the Upper East Side and I'm certainly not talking about anything downtown. I'm talking about Roosevelt Island....

... This feels like a park with hotels on it. It definitely doesn't feel like downtown or Midtown or even uptown. This seems like a really nice place to live...

...it's just one block from the subway and it's right next to the sky rail

I asked Roosevelt Island resident and real estate agent Kaja Meade:

How has the Coronavirus Pandemic and NYC shutdown effected the Roosevelt Island real estate market?

Ms Meade replied:

There is not enough data to say definitively. Overall activity in the real estate market, and on Roosevelt Island, is lower compared to past years - due to the city policies affecting the ability to do business as usual. Most landlords or owners on the island are on pause. However, there is still activity throughout the city. Over the past couple weeks things in NYC have begun to heat up. People are signing leases on Roosevelt Island.

Overall people should not expect rental prices to dip much. At least not in the long term. I think what folks can expect are an increase in concessions to spike interest and bring clients.

I think what’s important to remember is that this crisis is not based on the housing market/industry, and that NYC is NYC. Even though some (if not many) folks are considering relocating… there will always be people that want to come to the city.

Read more »

Roosevelt Island Homeless Using Riverwalk Commons Bench To Defecate Says Southtown Resident - It's A Health Hazard, RIOC Does Nothing And A Public Discussion Needed Say Residents

Last Friday, a Roosevelt Island Southtown resident took this picture of human excrement

on a Riverwalk Commons bench and sidewalk noting:

... This is a significant health hazard for the public community....

The feces remained thru at least Sunday afternoon,

before being washed away by the rain.

Another Southtown resident reported on Saturday:

The last four days as I have been leaving the island, there has been human excrement on the seats of the benches that flank the walk to the subway.

Apparently a number of homeless have stopped using the bushes due to the rat population and are now using the benches at night.

This is what we're up against with a growing homeless population and no social service to speak of. The same gentleman (who was seen doing this) spit at me Wednesday, ...  he screamed, "what, you too good for me now?" He also urinated in front of a young child, and became menacing when asked by the parent not to. Public safety declined to take any action, under DeBlasio's policy of not intervening unless they witness the event. video/pictures are not sufficient.

RIOC has done nothing to clean. There is also accumulating litter to the north of 475, and the cigarette butts in the Commons between 425 and 455 are in the thousands last time i photographed.

The dog run is never cleaned, and more folk are not cleaning after their dogs elsewhere.

Cleaning is not a priority on this Island: the Commons is never cleaned, the area north of 475 is awash in litter, the fruit stand has grease stains and food that attract rats,

...  I pulled a boat load of Starbucks trash out of the West Garden yesterday (the reason we have rats).

RIOC saw fit to spend $225,000 on useless holiday decorations, but can't clean or re-plant damaged grounds.

I'm not sure how to approach this, but i believe some action (beginning with a public discussion) is preferable to none.

The homeless issue was discussed during October 22 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee (PSC) meeting with Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety (PSD) Chief Kevin Brown and Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso



UPDATE 9 PM - Comments from readers:

• I have asked the homeless outreach team responsible for RI , to try to engage with the few homeless we have here. Sadly the homeless here are generally going to be 'hard to reach' and difficult to house/move on for various reasons. Stop and talk to them to find out why, they are all happy to chat (except the lady in black 😟) they are also happy to receive some food. We have no proof who 💩 on that bench ,it could have been someone drunk or an animal ?
• We seem to have more homeless people in the train station! This needs to be a topic for discussion in our community.
• Homelessness is a SEVERE health hazard for the homeless.
• Maybe there should be more public restrooms?

UPDATE 12/31 - More reader comments:

• A while back I asked a PSD officer what he was going to do about 2 homeless persons sleeping on the benches under the arcades. The answer was: As long as they don’t bother the others, we’re not doing anything about it. What do you think, PSD, are we bothered now?
• I have seen a quite sick homeless man for long time. He is installed between the subway building and Starbucks, leaving dirty clothes and belongings on the Starbucks outdoor chairs and tables, so no more enjoying that for me.
• That bum has been there since September. I have complained specifically to sbux. No action. I m going to start calling 311 soon. It is a disgraceful corporate policy to permit vagrants to domicile in the cafes. Nothing humane about it. They are mentally ill and should be removed. I don't care where to, just not sitting among paying customers. When public order is not maintained, your entire elected local and state government has failed. How these people use the franking privilege to boast about their dubious legislative achievements is beyond me. We also pay for our own 'public safety ' force, which is utterly ineffective. A pox on all their houses.
• I hope you never find yourself in such circumstances.
• BTW who do we speak with about all the people who let their animals pee and poop in the commons. There are kids and humans that lay down on the grass as well as play😣.The tiny no animals on the grass is not working. Perhaps some tickets are needed.

According to NYC Department of Homeless Services:

... What should I do if I see an individual or a group of individuals that appear to be street homeless?
For the most immediate response, New Yorkers who see individuals they believe to be homeless and in need should contact 3-1-1 via phone or mobile app and request outreach assistance. You should call 911 if the individual appears to pose an immediate risk to themselves or others or there is criminal activity.

What happens when I call 311 to report a homeless New Yorker in need of assistance?

• Individual calls 311 and a Service Request (SR) is created
• SR is evaluated and assigned to a service provider or a partner Agency, like NYPD, as needed
• If assigned to a service provider, outreach team is dispatched within an hour of receiving the request
• Service provider outreach teams attempt to locate that individual and if found directly engage the individual, assess for safety and encourage them to accept services and transition off the streets.

How do outreach teams engage a homeless New Yorker in need of assistance?
Experienced outreach teams from not-for-profit service providers canvass the five boroughs 24/7/365 as part of our citywide effort to identify and engage individuals who may be homeless, encourage them to accept services, and ultimately help them transition off the streets. Additionally, DHS performs joint outreach operations with community stakeholders and Agency partners, including the NYPD, the Parks Department, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Department of Transportation to utilize each Agency's expertise, engage more New Yorkers, and offer more supports. Outreach teams have helped approximately 2,000 homeless New Yorkers off the streets citywide, thanks to new investments and a doubling of the size of those teams.

More from NYC Department of Homeless Services here.

UPDATE 11:40

Public toilets might be a start. I think @RIOCny is working on a “comfort station” - maybe plans for that, with clear signage, could be of some use.

— Minnehanonck (@minnehanonck) December 31, 2019

There are restrooms open to the public on the island at both ends right? Can there be more signage to let the homeless population know they have options?

— hibernal worm (@indigogurt) December 31, 2019

Roosevelt Island Luxury Riverwalk Building Affordable Housing Waiting List Reopens For 25 Units, Get Your Application In Now - Also, New Hudson Related Roosevelt Island Rivewalk 341 Unit Affordable Housing Building Under Construction, Winter 2021 Planned Open Date

A Roosevelt Island tipster forwards this email obtained from Related Management announcing the re-opening of waiting list for affordable housing apartments in the Riverwalk Landing #4 (425 Main Street)

luxury apartment building.

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in Riverwalk Landing #4.  This exciting complex on Roosevelt Island has opened its waiting list for studio, one, and two-bedroom apartments under an affordable housing program.  Riverwalk Landing #4 is a luxury site featuring spacious modern apartments with a washer/dryer in each unit, a 24-hour attended lobby, on-site resident manager, health club, children’s playroom, rooftop party room and storage bins.  (Please note that some amenities require a fee.)  Roosevelt Island has easy access to both Manhattan and Queens.   

Enclosed is a preliminary application.  Please read through all sections carefully and print your responses clearly and thoroughly.  All areas of the application must be completed where applicable or it cannot be processed. 

The above-mentioned apartments are being made available to households with the following annual minimum and maximum income levels:

In regard to unit assignments, please note that a 2-person per bedroom standard will be applied for maximum occupancy consideration and that a 1-person per bedroom standard will be applied for minimum occupancy consideration.  Example:  A 3-person household may be considered for a 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom unit if the site has those unit types available.  Your application will only be considered for those unit sizes you check on the front page of the application.

Completed applications will be logged on a first-come first-served basis. 

When completed, this application may be returned by regular mail to the address below, or by email to ahgadmin@related.com.

Only the application should be submitted at this time. If your application is selected for further processing, additional information will be requested at that time.

If any applicant willfully submits false information, misrepresentations, or incomplete information, his/her application will be rejected.

Please make sure the head-of-household has filled out the entire application as completely and accurately as possible, signs the application, and then sends it to:  

Related Management

PMB #6174

1 Penn Plaza

New York, NY  10119

We look forward to receiving your application.

Very Truly Yours,

Related Management

The Tipster adds:

I hope lots of islanders apply ASAP.

According to Related representatives:

... they’re reopening the waiting list for building 4, Riverwalk Landing, which has 25 affordable units. Usually what happens is that there’s an initial list from the initial lottery, and at some point it gets stale or depleted and they re-open it.

but none of the units are currently available.

Below is the application for Roosevelt Island 425 Main Street Building 4 affordable housing units.

Riverwalk Landing Affordable Housing Application

As previously reported, Hudson Related currently has under construction across the street from 425 Main Street at 460 Main Street,

a 341 unit affordable housing building scheduled to open in December 2020/January 2021:

.... Riverwalk 8 is the eighth building completed by Hudson and the Related Companies in the Riverwalk neighborhood. The building’s 341 units are available exclusively to low-income, middle, and moderate income households ranging from 40 to 165% of AMI. The building contains a fitness center, yoga studio, children’s playroom, bike storage, party lounge, game room, library, and a 24-hour attended lobby....

... In late spring/summer 2020 Hudson Related will begin local media advertising, distribute flyers and conduct informational seminars on how to apply for the affordable housing units using NYC Housing Connects. 4 months prior to the expected start of unit leasing, the Housing Connects lottery will commence. Leasing is expected to begin in December 2020/January 2021....

Hudson Related is expected to post a web site this September with unit types, income ranges and projected rents for Riverwalk 8 at 460 Main Street.

Here's Hudson Related's David Kramer talking about currently under construction Riverwalk Building 8 and the future market rate rental Riverwalk Building 9 during May 29, 2019 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Development Advisory Committee meeting.



In January 2019, RIOC reported:

... The apartment quantity by size in Southtown Building 8 is broken down as follows:

• 81 - studio
• 158 - 1BR
• 51 - 2 BR
• 50 - 3 BR

Depending on family and apartment size, income-level based rents (calculated based on the AMI) will vary from a minimum of $505 a month for a studio; to $3,431 for a three-bedroom....

More info on Riverwalk Building 8 at this prior post.

Roosevelt Island Rivercross Arbitration Settlement, Westview Privatization & Southtown Riverwalk Buildings 8 & 9 Development On April 3 RIOC Real Estate Committee Meeting Agenda - In Executive Session Closed To The Public

Very important Roosevelt Island real estate issues

will be discussed tomorrow, April 3, during the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Advisory Committee. According to RIOC:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will now be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 5:30 P.M. at the RIOC Warehouse, 680 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.

Agenda:

1. Chair’s Motion for Executive Session to Discuss:

a. Rivercross Arbitration Settlement

b. Southtown 8 & 9 Environmental Assessment and Zoning Overrides

c. Westview Ground Lease Negotiations

2. Any Other Committee Business That May be Brought Before the Committee.

The meeting will be in executive session, closed to the public.

There is no indication that I can find on the RIOC web site about this meeting.

Stay tuned.

UPDATE 3/3 - The agenda has been amended to have the Southtown discussion in public session.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will now be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 5:30 P.M. at the RIOC Warehouse, 680 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.

Amended Agenda:

1. Discussion of the Southtown 8 & 9 Environmental Assessment and Zoning Overrides

2. Chair’s Motion for Executive Session to Discuss:

a. Rivercross Arbitration Settlement

b. Westview Ground Lease Negotiations

3. Any Other Committee Business That May be Brought Before the Committee.

Roosevelt Island Retail Update -Riverwalk Swan Nail Salon Closes Shop, BubbleCool Tea & Music Together Opening In The Coming Weeks Say Hudson Companies

The Roosevelt Island Swan Salon Hair and Nail shop in the Riverwalk Southtown complex went out of business today and closed up shop.

According to this sign posted on the store window, the Swan Salon closed because of personal reasons.

I asked the landlord of the space, Hudson Related, if a replacement tenant has been found yet. According to a Hudson Companies spokesperson:

New Swan Hair & Nail will be closing. New Swan proudly served the Roosevelt Island community since 2006 and Hudson & Related would like to wish New Swan all the best in their future endeavors.

In the near future, we look forward to enhancing the retail market to complement our ever evolving and growing community.

In other news, Hudson & Related look forward to the openings of BubbleCool and Roosevelt Island Music Together in the coming weeks.

Unlike the many vacant Roosevelt Island Main Street retail spaces, there has not been an empty Riverwalk store space for many years. Hope Hudson Related finds a new tenant soon.

Any suggestions for new retailers in the space?

Record High $1.87 Million Sale Of Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Condo - RIOC & Hudson Related Proposal For More Than 300 Affordable Housing Rental Units Next Door In New Southtown Riverwalk Building Too

The Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Court condo at 415 Main Street

Image of Rivewalk Court

listed for sale this summer at $2 million was recently sold for $1.87 million - a record high  price for Roosevelt Island.

A $1.87M condo on Roosevelt Island just set the record for the most expensive apartment sold in the neighborhood. https://t.co/eKwxd6MaMV pic.twitter.com/XcxO9oUaGy

— The Real Deal (@trdny) September 5, 2017

According to Bloomberg:

A condo on New York’s Roosevelt Island listed at $2 million missed that mark, but still set a price record.

Image From Bloomberg via Corcoran

The 1,433-square-foot (133-square-meter), three-bedroom apartment -- with a view of the midtown Manhattan skyline -- sold for $1.87 million according to listing broker Ben Garama of Corcoran Group,...

Apartment rents and co-op/condo sales are skyrocketing on Roosevelt Island. According to Streeteasy, there are 10 Roosevelt Island apartments currently for sale. 7 of those apartments are listed for over $1 million ranging from $1.035 - $1.843 million. The remaining 3 are listed from $800,000 to $925,000.

Also, according to Streeteasy, there are currently 30 Roosevelt Island rental listings with monthly rents ranging from $4,995 to $2,300.

Roosevelt Island, a community built as a place for low and middle income people to live in NYC is more and more becoming a neighborhood no longer affordable to them, particularly with the recent privatizations of former Mitchell Lama Roosevelt Island buildings. The arrival of Cornell Tech campus has also put the once unknown or ignored Roosevelt Island on the map of many seeking to live in NYC and may have a role in increasing rents and condo/coop sale prices here.

But, there may be hope for a return of some affordable housing coming soon to Roosevelt Island.

Read more »

Hudson Related Files Plans For Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Residential Building 8 With 21 Floors And 341 Units - Does RIOC Know?

According to the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

New rental building coming to Roosevelt Island https://t.co/RbcwTYwYOG

— CNYB Real Estate (@cnybrealestate) July 21, 2017

Related, Hudson file plans for eighth building in Riverwalk complex @trdny #rooseveltisland https://t.co/HjESzKHCcl

— The Hudson Companies (@TheHudsonCos) July 20, 2017

The Real Deal adds:

Related Companies and Hudson Companies have filed plans for the eighth building in their Riverwalk rental complex on Roosevelt Island.

The developers plan to build a 21-story residential building at 460 Main Street, according to documents filed with the city’s Department of Buildings on Wednesday. The building would have 341 units and span 253,974 square feet....

Click here for full article.

Read more »

The Times They Are A Changing - Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Condo Priced At $2 Million, $1 Million Plus Coops For Sale At Rivercross And Island House Too

A $2 million condo on Roosevelt Island is a sign of the times https://t.co/qAeThyJNO1 pic.twitter.com/QAw0yiEuhp

— Bloomberg (@business) May 30, 2017

According to this May 30 Bloomberg article:

... The Corcoran Group agent has listed a three-bedroom condo there for $2 million, the highest price ever sought -- or paid -- for a residence on the island, once home to a smallpox hospital and now bustling with construction of a new Cornell University campus.

With three-bedroom apartments in Manhattan selling for a median of $3.15 million, Garama says his potentially record-setting price is a bargain for homebuyers hunting for more space and who might consider the island over the more traditional alternatives of Queens and Brooklyn....

The $2 million apartment ($1395 per sq ft) is located in Riverwalk Court, 415 Main Street.

Real Estate web site Streeteasy reports of several million dollar plus apartments for sale at Roosevelt Island's Riverwalk, Rivercross and Island House buildings including:

• Island House 575 Main Street 3 bedrooms $1.325 Million ($800 per sq ft))
• Rivercross 531 Main Street 2 bedrooms $ 1,15 Million ($851 per sq ft)
• Riverwalk Place 455 Main Street 2 bedrooms $1.25 million ($1288 per sq ft) and

Streeteasy currently lists two apartment for sale less than $1 Million:

• Island House 555 Main Street 2 bedrooms $845 Thousand ($802 per sq ft).
• Rivercross 531 Main Street 1 bedroom $699,999 ( $708 per sq ft)

Streeteasy lists Roosevelt Island monthly rental prices ranging from $5950 for a 3 bedroom Manhattan Park apartment to $1960 for a Roosevelt Landings studio apartment

There is a growing concern among many current Roosevelt Island residents that they will soon be priced out of their homes.

Roosevelt Island Residents Ask Why NYC Department Of Environmental Protection Shutting Down Water In Riverwalk Buildings Today and Friday - The Answer Is Cornell Tech Construction Site Temporary Hydrant Removal

Residents of Roosevelt Island's Southtown Riverwalk Buildings



received notice from Related Rentals

that their water was scheduled to be shut down for a few hours today and Friday. According to a message sent to residents by Related Rentals last Monday:

We received notification from the Department of Environmental Protection this afternoon of a planned water shut down for testing at two scheduled times this week affecting all nearby buildings. Your awareness and understanding throughout the repair process will be greatly appreciated.

On Wednesday, October 26, water will be shut off from 9:00am through 1:00pm for approximately 4 hours.

On Friday, October 28, water will be shut off from 9:00am through 12:00pm for approximately 3 hours.

In order to prepare for this outage, we suggest the following:

• Fill containers with water to provide for your needs
• Close all faucets.
• Plan necessary clothes washing and showers ahead of time.

Reminder and update notices will be posted in the building ahead of the water disruptions.

Unfortunately this interruption is out of our hands and is caused by work being performed by the DEP. We thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation and apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.

Several residents were concerned about why the NYC Department of Environmental Protection would be shutting down the water for Riverwalk Buildings and asked:

Do you happen to know why the DEP is testing the water on Roosevelt Island? I'm getting nervous since my kids drink a lot of water :-).

Also:

We just found out ... that there will be no water in any of the RW buildings tomorrow 9-12- not 405, 480, etc. etc.- that whole section of the island. Supposedly EPA is checking something about the water tomorrow and Fri. If you have any more information about it please let me know thank you!

I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal yesterday:

The water is being shut off in Southtown Riverwalk buildings tomorrow morning.

I'm told that DEP is checking water quality in Roosevelt Island and I have been receiving emails from residents who are concerned about the water.

Does RIOC know what is going on with the water shut off? Any reason to be concerned about water quality?

RIOC Vice President of Operations Shelton Haynes replied:

It is our understanding that DEP has conducted testing today from 9am to 1pm and have an actual shutdown scheduled for Friday from 9am to 12pm. The purpose of the Test Shutdown is to confirm the functionality of the valves (x2) that will be closed during the actual shutdown on Friday. This is all in relation a temporary hydrant being removed (on Friday 11-4) within the Cornell Tech job site. We hope this was helpful.

Roosevelt Island Luxury Rental Building Residents Without Gas Since September 8 Due To Piping Replacement - Developer Hudson Related Providing Residents Complimentary Breakfast And Dinner From Riverwalk Bar & Grill

Residents of Roosevelt Island's newest luxury rental building, Riverwalk Point, at 480 Main Street, have been out of gas service since September 8. Last week, a Roosevelt Island tipster shared this photo of temporary gas trailer parked in front of 480 Main

and reported:

Emergency gas supply now on 5th day..no cooking in building, Riverwalk Bar & Grill has been on contract supplying breakfast and dinner.

In response to my inquiry about the gas outage, a Riverwalk Point resident replied:

It has been 10 days (since the 8th), we didn't have hot water for 3, but they brought the generator pictured above last Saturday to heat water. On last report Con Ed will be here early next week to inspect and they warned us it may be a few days after that before the safety check is done. There was a gas leak in one of the mechanical rooms. Related has been providing continental breakfast and dinner for the building since last week. Riverwalk Bar and Grill has been supplying all of the food.

Yesterday, I asked Hudson Related's David Kramer, developer of Riverwalk Point:

I understand there was a gas leak at Riverwalk 480 Main Street and that residents have been without gas service for the last 10 days.

Also, due to the gas leak, residents have not been able to cook.

Is that true?

Any statement from Hudson Related on matter including when there will be a return to normal gas service.

Mr. Kramer replied:

We determined that some gas piping needed to be replaced in the gas meter room of Riverwalk Point. The work itself doesn't take particularly long, but there is extensive coordination necessary with both DOB and Con Ed. In the meantime, we've been providing some light fare for the residents at breakfast and dinner to minimize their inconvenience, and we've handed out free electric hot plates for resident use. Needless to say, we are communicating with residents daily about the progress of the coordinating efforts with the agencies.

Riverwalk Point opened on Roosevelt Island in the summer of 2015. Hudson Related plans 2 more buildings (Riverwalk 8 &9) to complete the Riverwalk development in Southtown. Mr Kramer described the placement of Buildings 8 & 9 from the top of Riverwalk Point



during its 2014 construction topping out ceremony.

Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Buildings Featured In Phish Concert Advertising Promotion

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports:

My apartment building is featured in the Phish artwork for YEMSG and I couldn't be more excited. pic.twitter.com/6Cx2qD4QHJ

— The Phish Pheed (@ThePhishPheed) December 21, 2015

@wayfarersprayer @ThePhishPheed that's UWS right? These are the Riverwalk buildings on Roosevelt island

— jake beckman (@jakebeckman) December 21, 2015

You can check out the Phish Roosevelt Island and Queensboro Bridge artwork at their live streaming site for December 30 - January 2, 2016, Madison Square Garden Concerts.

Here's an interesting 2012 Charlie Rose interview with Phish's Trey Anastasio



and the Rolling Stone 2014 Reader's Poll of Top 10 Phish songs.

Roosevelt Island AVAC Garbage Removal System Out Of Service For Southtown Riverwalk & Roosevelt Landings Buildings - Garbage Bags & Smells Piling Up

Earlier today, I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelidato:

The Riverwalk buildings AVAC system has been out of service for several days.

I have been told it will be out for "a while".

Any statement on what the AVAC problem is and when it will be fixed?

Also, any statement on Roosevelt Landings AVAC system being out of service.

The Riverwalk AVAC room chutes have been closed

resulting in garbage bags and smells piling up in Riverwalk basements.

RIOC President Indelicato replied:

The Riverwalk Building AVAC system has a major jamb in the main pipe, from valves L-1 to L-4, since Friday. The sanitation department (DSNY) has cleared part of the main pipe blockage, from valves L-1 to L-2, but the pipe continues to be jammed from valves L-3 to L-4. The DSNY will continue to remove the blockage tomorrow morning. They may have the main pipe cleared by tomorrow Noon.

There is currently garbage in the chutes. The DSNY requires the cooperation from the building superintendents, by locking the garbage chutes, so that they can continue to clear the jam. DSNY workers are going over now to Riverwalk to see the superintendents.

The DSNY doesn’t inform engineering every time there is a jam, so this is the first that I’ve heard of this particular blockage.

The Roosevelt Landings is an electrical problem. It should be resolved this week.

AVAC jams are often caused by residents placing items into the chutes that are not intended to go down the chutes

 Image Of Riverwalk AVAC Valve From Envac Presentation

such as computers, broken up desks, basketballs and other large objects.

An upgrade to the Roosevelt Island AVAC garbage removal system was a subject of the September 29 Manhattan Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island committee.

Below is the Roosevelt Island AVAC Upgrade presentation

ENVAC Roosevelt Island AVAC Presentation

made by Envac representative Rosina Abramson (former RIOC President and Vice President).



Here's the full Envac AVAC Roosevelt Island presentation, including questions and answers from residents.

UPDATE 10/6 - The Riverwalk AVAC is working today.

Day To Night Roosevelt Island Time Lapse Video - Sky Changes, Building Lights Come On, Street Traffic And Tram Hops Back and Forth

POV!! Roosevelt Island Timelapse 2015 by Jake Estes http://t.co/BG9zL3HoDH http://t.co/Rs5ww6QM2c #Gopro #アクションカム

— Tryapp (@Tryapp_me) September 30, 2015

Roosevelt Island Timelapse 2015 from Jake Estes on Vimeo.

Click the full screen icon to see more clearly the sky change, Riverwalk building lights come on,street traffic and the Tram hopping back and forth as seen from Firefighters Field.

Roosevelt Island Condo & Coop Mortgage Seminar Presented By Amalgamated Bank Thursday January 22

Are you interested in obtaining a mortgage for a Roosevelt Island apartment? Rivercross Co-ops and Riverwqlk Condos are currently for sale. Maybe someday soon the Island House and Westview privatization will become a reality and you can buy an apartment in those buildings too.

If you need financing for a Roosevelt Island Co-op or Condo, tomorrow night's Mortgage Seminar from the local Roosevelt Island Amalgamated Bank branch may be of interest.

According to Amalgamated Bank:

Join us at our free Mortgage Seminar
Thursday January 22 at 7 PM
Roosevelt Island Branch
619 Main Street
New York, NY 10044

Amalgamated Bank's Vice President Eric Ruskiewicz held a prior mortgage seminar last July 14. Here's what happened.

Part 1 - Introduction to the seminar including discussion of Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) products and Interest Rates.



Part 2 - Discussion of down payment, fixed and variable rates, appraisals, points, application process and individual Roosevelt Island building financing requirements.



Part 3 - Fixed and Variable rate loans, credit reports and credit scores, Fannie May and Freddie Mac Loans. Mr Ruskiewicz noted that Amalgamated Bank does not sell the mortgages it makes in the secondary market but holds on to the mortgage for the life of the loan.



Part 4 - End of the mortgage seminar.

Roosevelt Island Concierge/Doorman Job Availabe At Hudson Related Luxury High Rise Riverwalk Building - Superior Customer Service Skills Required

Image From How I Save Money

Are you looking for a job on Roosevelt Island? Hospitality Online posted January 16 about a Concierge/Doorman position available with Related Management at one of their Roosevelt Island Riverwalk buildings. According to Hospitality Online:

Concierge/Doorman

Related Management, a premier national real estate management company, seeks exceptional full time lobby staff personnel for our luxury high-rise residential property on Roosevelt Island in New York.

Applicants must have superior customer service skills and the ability to set a positive example of service and integrity at all times. Personnel will be responsible for ensuring a professional and courteous environment for residents at their assigned locations, meeting and greeting residents and their guests, deliveries administration, general lobby access control/monitoring, door services and performing other applicable lobby responsibilities.

Job requirements

• Prior guest services, customer service or resident services experience in a luxury residential building or hotel required
• Effective written, oral and interpersonal skills
• Working knowledge of computers
• The ability to handle assigned levels of responsibility
• The ability to apply good judgment and maintain composure in high pressured situations
• High school diploma or equivalent, some college course work preferred
• Must have the ability to maintain our company's professional standards.

We do not discriminate on the basis of disability

Compensation: $16.87/hour

Click here for more information and to apply for the job.

Reported last December that a Related Riverwalk Resident Manager's position was available too.

Good Luck.

Roosevelt Island Real Estate Deathmatch, $1.3 Million Dollar Riverwalk Court Condo Or $1.275 Million Rivercross Coop - Which Would You Choose Asks Curbed?

New York City real estate web site Curbed tweeted yesterday:

If you had to choose, which of these Roosevelt Island apartments would you buy? http://t.co/i4pPfdZ8gW pic.twitter.com/f8nENVEL6x
— Curbed NY (@CurbedNY) September 23, 2014

and asks:

Imagine you have around $1,300,000 to spend on a place and you've narrowed it down to two apartments. How do you make up your mind? The answer is simple: you shove them into a metaphorical cage and let them battle it out until one emerges victorious. It's time for Real Estate Deathmatch....

The Roosevelt Island apartment comparison is between the $1.3 million asking Riverwalk Court Condo (Curbed Tweet picture on left)

Riverwalk Court Apartment Floorplan From Streeteasy

 and $1.275 Rivercross Coop (Curbed Tweet picture on right).

 Rivercross Apartment Floorplan From Streeteasy

According to Streeteasy, the Riverwalk Court condo has been on the market for 5 days. It was purchased in 2009 for $760,000.

According to Streeteasy, the Rivercross coop apartment has been on the market since May 2014, originally listed at $1.625 million

So, if you had $1.3 million, which Roosevelt Island apartment would you buy - Riverwalk or Rivercross?

Undocumented Roosevelt Island Water Main Cut During Cornell NYC Tech Construction - Southtown Riverwalk Apartments Getting Brown Water In Sinks, Toilets And Showers

Residents of Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Buidings in Southtown experienced problems with brown water coming from their sinks, toilets and showers today. From the Roosevelt Island twitterverse

@Rooseveltisland 405 main has dark brown water for the past 3 hours, as do some of the other buildings in southtown.
— Ilene Weinerman (@ilenewe) January 20, 2014

Residents from other Riverwalk buildings added this afternoon:

It's happening in 405. I was told it was a water main break.

and:

i am having the same problem in 465

and:

yes in 425, eeeew.

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

Residents of Southtown Riverwalk buildings are reporting having brownish water coming from their sinks, toilets and showers this afternoon

Some are being told it is caused by a water main break at building 7 construction site.

Does RIOC have any information on this matter?

RIOC Public Safety Department Director Jack McManus reported that an undocumented water main pipe was cut on the northwest side of the former Goldwater Hospital site

Roosevelt Island Water Main Break On Site of Cornell NYC Tech Construciton

during construction drilling for the new Cornell NYC Tech campus.

Worker Cleaning Up After Water Main Break

Public Safety Director McManus advises residents in Riverwalk buildings not to drink the tap water or take showers until more information is available.

NYC Department of Environmental Protection was on the scene of the water main break.

Unknown Roosevelt Island cables, pipes and other underground material beneath Goldwater Hospital may be a continual problem during Cornell NYC Tech construction.

UPDATE 7:04 PM - RIOC sent out the following advisory at 7:02 PM:

Earlier this afternoon, a Water Main Break occurred at the former Goldwater Hospital site during construction drilling for the new Cornell Tech Campus. Residents of Southtown Riverwalk buildings have reported "brownish" water coming from their sinks, toilets and showers. The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), who is overseeing the repair to the water main, advises residents not to drink or shower in the water until the water main is repaired and the water returns to its normal color.

UPDATE 1/21 at 8:30 AM - RIOC President Charlene Indelicato reports no further information from DEP regarding safety of water though she hopes to get an answer this morning.

UPDATE 9:35 AM - RIOC President Indelicato reports being told by DEP that the  Roosevelt Island water from Rivercross building south, including Riverwalk Buildings is unsafe for drinking and bathing until further notice.

UPDATE 9:50 AM - Related Management, the building managers for Riverwalk buildings sent the following notice to its residents today:

Date: January 21, 2014 Re: Contaminated Water Situation Please be advised that there is a contaminated water situation currently on the island and residents are experiencing brown water. PLEASE DO NOT BATH OR USE THE DOMESTIC WATER UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. The Department of Environmental Protection is on the Island performing tests and has not determined if the water is safe for consumption yet. The contamination occurred as a result of construction at the Goldwater Hospital and the pipe has already been fixed but we are still awaiting the water test results. As soon as we have more information we will share it with you. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

UPDATE 10:42 - According to RIOC:

Please be advised that due to a Water Main Break at the former Goldwater Hospital site on January 20th 2014, residents of Southtown Riverwalk and the Rivercross buildings should refrain from drinking or bathing in the water from their sinks, tubs, or showers until further notice. Residents should also refrain from drinking or bathing in water at the Sportspark facility and all other buildings south of the Rivercross complex. The Department of Environmental Protection is working to correct the problem. For further information you may contact the DEP directly at (718) 595-4200/ 4201.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

UPDATE 2:55 PM - NYC DEP Press Spokesperson confirms that Roosevelt Island water is safe for drinking and bathing. Also advises if water is discolored to let it run for a few minutes until it becomes clear.

RIOC adds:

Please be advised that residents in the Rivercross complex and all buildings south of Rivercross may bathe in and drink the water from their taps. If the water appears dirty, be advised that this is not a health issue, but taps may be run until the lines are cleared. Residents are advised to call 311 with any inquiries.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

Rivercross management sent the following memo to its residents:

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection has reported that the water serving Rivercross and the other water main break effected buildings on Roosevelt Island, is safe to use. If you see any discoloration in the water, let it run until clear. This is also the reason why the laundry rooms were shut; as the drop in pressure caused by the break, caused particulate matter to clog the machine filters and shut them down. They have all been cleared since and both laundry rooms are functioning normally.

and Related Management sent this memo to Riverwalk resident:

Please be advised the water is safe to consume and use. The Department of Environmental Protection has confirmed their findings moments ago and residents can resume using the water from the building’s water supply.

We apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Limo Driver Nearly Crashes Car Into Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Building Lobby Sunday Morning

A limo nearly crashed into the Roosevelt Island 425 Main Street Riverwalk building lobby yesterday morning. A Roosevelt Island resident shares this photo

and reports:

a photo of the drunken limo driver who took out a few pylons and just missed 425 Main Street front door.

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) 24 Hour Public Safety Blotter:

12/29/13 - 0749 - 425 Main St. - Vehicle Accident - PSD/NYPD responded. NYPD arrested subject

Fortunately, there were no injuries.