Crosswalk Needs Painting, Pedestrian Walkway Flooded From Construction, Motorgate Parking Problem? Report Your Roosevelt Island Concerns And Complaints To New RIOC Online Tikkit Tracking System Starting Today

Do you have a Roosevelt Island concern or complaint that you want fixed or addressed by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC). How about a crosswalk that needs to be painted,

a construction related issue,

It would be really great if the construction on @Rooseveltisland didn’t flood the pedestrian walkway everyday. People like to get to work without soaked socks. pic.twitter.com/eYy1eUBZbm

— Henry VII (@HenryWolfAI) July 29, 2019

a Motorgate Parking problem

I guess we are now allowed to park on the curb at the Garage? @RIOCny @Rooseveltisland pic.twitter.com/FuDEPWR57O

— Bhangeri (@bhangeri) June 21, 2019

or anything else that can be resolved by RIOC.

According to RIOC:

As of Monday, July 29, 2019, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) will be replacing the Citizen Request Tracker with Tikkit.

Tikkit has easy-to-use on-line forms designed to capture concerns and complaints from our residents, employees and stakeholders. Users can even use their smartphones to attach images or other documentation to help RIOC see the exact nature of the issue.

Once an issue is logged into the Tikkit system, the user can track RIOC’s progress in addressing the problem via automatic notifications. Users will also be able to respond directly to the notification without having to go through the extra step of logging back in to Tikkit.

How to Use Tikkit

1. Go to https://rioc.tikkit.us and enter your email address to get started.
2. Enter your email address in the login form.
3. Check your email inbox and/or spam folder. You’ll receive a sign-in link from Tikkit.
4. Click the link. You are now signed in! Note: You will stay signed in until you sign out.

Click here for more info.

Let Roosevelt Islander Online know too.

It would be useful for the issues raised through the RIOC Tikkit system to be publicly available for the community to see what they are and how they are resolved.

A similar system began in 2010, RI 311 See Click Fix allowed the public to track issues submitted to RIOC.

NYC Runs Haunted Island 5 & 10K Race Coming To Roosevelt Island Saturday - RIOC Addresses Early Morning Race Noise Amplification Pollution Complaint

Image From NYC Runs

According to NYC Runs:

NYCRUNS Haunted Island 5K & 10K
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Firefighters Field - Roosevelt Island • 425 Main St Roosevelt Island, NY 10044

Rumor has it that Roosevelt Island has been overrun by all manner of scary things. Join us in the madness for this Halloween 5K & 10K with a superb after party including a great live band and a Halloween themed post-race spread. Goblins and ghouls of all ages are welcome.
Event schedule and times

Start time: The 5K begins at 9:30 AM; The 10K begins at 10:00 AM Address: 425 Main St. New York, NY

Courses: Please see our standard 5K and 10K course maps. You will enjoy one of a kind views of Manhattan, Queens, and beyond!...

Click here for more information on the Haunted Island race.

Last Sunday, there was another 10K race starting at Firefighters Field across the street from Southtown Rivercross apartment buildings. A resident reported about that race:

it's great that RI hosts monthly fun runs etc here on the streets and promenades. I only think it would be respectful of the organizers to refrain from playing their PA systems at 645am today.

also shouldn't the race organizers at least attempt to schedule the races on days that the subway service isn't curtailed?

This complaint was submitted to Roosevelt Island 311 See Click Fix about last Sunday's 10K:

noise pollution

why is the PA system for the 10k road race blasting and blaring today 630am on a Sunday morning? why is public safety doing nothing but helping assisting.

a little consideration would be appreciated

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) responded to the See Click Fix complaint:

We apologize for your inconvenience this past Sunday. The event was a permitted event, which is why Public Safety allowed it to take place. Any permitted events in the future will not be allowed to begin before 9am, and amplified sound will not be allowed any more than thirty minutes prior to their start time. Further, any speakers permitted will be pointed in the direction of Queens to help control the impact of their sound on the island. Please feel free to reach out with any additional questions.

Thank you

Saturday is also the Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade starting at 12 PM. There is no F train service to Manhattan from Roosevelt Island this weekend.

UPDATE 1-/24 - According to RIOC:

Notification issued 10/24/2014 at 4:06 PM. A 5K/10K race will take place around the perimeter of Roosevelt Island beginning at 9:30 AM on Saturday, October 25, 2014. There will be no parking on this date from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM on the West Roadway from the Tram to the Subway. From 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, there will be no Red Bus service at the Subway going North. All northbound bus passengers may utilize a temporary bus stop located on the East Roadway at 425 Main Street. Expect minor disruptions in Q102 and Red Bus service during that time.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

Welcome To Roosevelt Island Motorgate Garage (Vomitorium) Says RIRA Planning Committee Chair Frank Farance Showing Combination Of Bird Poop, Vomit, Urine, Broken Windows, Filthy Benches And More

Image From Frank Farance

A September 2 report was made to Roosevelt Island 311 See Click Fix concerning dirty and dangerous conditions at Motorgate Plaza:

Feces and garbage, dangerous broken glass window

Red Bus Stop At Gristedes/ Motorgate New York, New York
Next to bench is two broken glass window panes broken by a man in a wheelchair parked there all day. Dangerous for kids and dirty as well. He discards food and garbage as well as feces onto the floor all day. This is a serious health and safety hazard.

 Image Of Motorgate Atrium

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Planning Committee Chair Frank Farance takes us on a tour of the Motorgate Garage and surrounding area. According to Mr. Farance:

... The RIOC Vomitorium (Motorgate) - A Welcome Mat To Visitors.

More RIOC incompetence: Visitors are welcomed to a combination of vomit, urine, excrement, dead animals, rotting food, broken windows, and filthy benches (some occupied by homeless people). There are urination steaks that run twenty feet long. There is bird poop every five feet (no exaggeration). And if you arrive via red bus at the Motorgate stops, be sure to avoid stepping in puke or bird poop

According to Wikipedia: The Latin word vomitorium, plural vomitoria, derives from the verb vomō, vomere, "to spew forth."

What is truly amazing is that RIOC lets this continue. It seems that they make a big fuss every couple years and power wash the place, but the area needs regular maintenance several times a week. The Motorgate staff washes the floors every day, which is why the floors inside the atrium are better maintained than outside, which is RIOC's responsibility. In other words, most other organizations seem able to clean their premises better than RIOC....

Images From Frank Farance (More Here)

Take a walk with Mr. Farance through the Roosevelt Island Motorgate Garage area.



The Motorgate Atrium was power washed by RIOC last June.

Crazy Male Jogger Reportedly Assaulting Bike Riders On Roosevelt Island Bridge Walkway - Take A Bike Ride From Upper East Side To Roosevelt Island's Lighthouse Park And Upcoming Bike New York Roosevelt Island Events

Take a cool bicycle ride from the Upper East Side to Roosevelt Island via the FDR Promenade to the Queensboro Bridge, thru Long Island City, over the Roosevelt Island Bridge and then to Lighthouse Park.



But watch out for this.

According to a NYC District 5 See Click Fix report:

There's a crazy male jogger not staying on the right side, but purposely running on the left side of the RI Bridge (when ever he see's a biker), grabbing bikers and assaulting them if they don't stay off the walkway with their bikes. Whether their riding or walking with their bikes. This person looks (white, '5''10, 200 lbs.), and he does this around 8 or 9 in the morning. I have to get me a "gopro" camera to catch this person in action.

Image Of Roosevelt Island Pedestrian Walkway and Grated Bike Lane

This report is unconfirmed. The Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department is not aware of any such incidents.

Also, Bike New York's Roosevelt Island Community Outreach Manager Caitlin Goodspeed spoke during the October 1 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Session about upcoming Bike NY Roosevelt Island events including:

... a ride to the beautiful Astoria Park this Saturday at 11:30am! We'll have a picnic in the park (dessert provided by Bike New York) before making the 2.3 mile ride back to Roosevelt Island. It's our last Saturday ride in the Summer Ride Series so you won't want to miss out! Email me at cgoodspeed@bikenewyork.org to register for this free ride...

and:

... We're still looking for volunteers to help us count commuters on Roosevelt Island this Monday (Oct. 6) from 6am - 10am! If you're free that morning and would like to help, please send me a message or email me asap at cgoodspeed@bikenewyork.org. All volunteers will receive a free t-shirt, breakfast, and a big hug!

Here's what Ms. Goodspeed said



during the October 1 RIRA Public Session.

Swarming Bees Making Hive In Roosevelt Island FDNY Call Box At Octagon Bus Stop Reports RI 311 See Click Fix

Roosevelt Island See Click Fix 311 reports on August 17:

Beehive in fire call box

Image From Roosevelt Island See Click Fix 311

There are bees swarming and making a hive in the FDNY call box in the island out front of the Octagon bus stop. Dangerous!!

Do you have a Roosevelt Island issue or problem that can be fixed by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)? If you see a problem or an issue on Roosevelt Island that needs to be brought to the attention of RIOC and fixed, click on RI 311 See Click Fix,

RI 311 See Click Fix Image From RIOC

report the issue and then monitor RIOC's response to the problem.

Roosevelt Island Street Lights Out By Blackwell House Pathway - RIOC Installs Temporary Lighting But It Shines Into Neighboring Apartment

A Roosevelt Island resident recently asked:

I'm wondering if this is something you may be able to answer?

Are the lights behind the Blackwell House ever going to be fixed? That area is really dark at night and the lights are never turned on for the pathways, new kids playground, or the fountain plaza.

I suggested contacting RI 311 See Click Fix, which was done:

Lights out in multiple areas. Around and in front of Church, next to Blackwell House, behind Rivercross lawn and towards Subway.

RIOC installed temporary lighting behind Blackwell House

But at night the temporary light

shines into at least one neighboring apartment. The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports:

Listen, fully understand that the path behind Blackwell House has to be lit. But Really?!?!?!? @Rooseveltisland pic.twitter.com/g8TquwLfuW
— Trevis Dane Wimer (@TDaneNYC) March 8, 2014

which drew this response from a solar power advocate.

Set up solar PV array on that outside wall @TDaneNYC @Rooseveltisland
— Aye Buchery (@ibookery) March 8, 2014

High Temperatures Cooking Roosevelt Island Tram Passengers Says Rider - Another Year Goes By And Nothing Is Done By RIOC To Cool Down Hot Tram In High Temps

Image Of Heat Exhaustion From AltaVista For Illustrative Purposes Only

Summer is coming and it's starting to get really hot and muggy in New York City particularly on the Roosevelt Island Tram which has no air conditioning or cooling system of any type. Today temperatures are expected to reach 90 degrees.

Residents of Roosevelt Island have taken to RI 311 See Click Fix to beg, plead and cry for some type of cooling relief when riding on the Tram.

Here are two RI 311 See Click Fix reports from residents yesterday:

Tram

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! When its hot can you PLEASE have the tram operators leave the doors open when docked? We really need the cross ventilation. Some operators do this - and say it's common sense. Others refuse. PLEASE make it a policy! Thank you.

and:

Another winter has gone by and the tram still has no cooling controls, nor do the tram stations, which now with the new imprisoning glass sarcophagus cook waiting passengers in the noon day sun.

This is not a new problem and it is an issue which was discussed last summer by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board Of Directors and Staff. As previously reported last July 12:

... During the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) June 25 Operations Committee meeting (full audio webcast of meeting here), RIOC Director David Kraut asked RIOC VP of Operations Fernando Martinez what can be done to prevent passengers, particularly children and older people, from passing out from heat exhaustion on the Tram.

Mr. Martinez explained that when the Tram was redesigned, it was decided not to include air conditioning in the Cabins because of the added weight which would reduce the number of passengers permitted to ride in the Cabins and the time needed to charge the batteries.

Mr. Kraut said that now that we have a greater experience of the Tram Cabin heat problem, let's look for a solution to the problem. It might be some sort of fan or air conditioning system that RIOC was not aware of but perhaps other people might have the solution.

Mr. Martinez said the matter will be discussed with Tram Operator Poma.

Here's the discussion.



Yesterday, I sent the following question to Mr. Martinez:

...during recent Operations Committee meeting, subject of cooling the Tram Cabins during very hot weather was discussed. Have any plans been made for fans, air conditioning or any other method of cooling down the Tram Cabins during hot weather?

Will update when an answer is received.

An answer was never received. Maybe this year?

More on Roosevelt Island Tram air conditioning from previous posts here and here.

UPDATE 10:40 AM: Readers respond:

• A-C, pleas!!
• or fan at least...
• Anything!
• I would not ride the tram in this weather it is to dam HOT

Update On Overnight Queensboro Bridge Construction Work Keeping Some Roosevelt Island Residents Awake - NYC DOT Taking Steps To Mitigate Noise and Adjust Lights

Image From Trevre Andrews

Reported last week on some Roosevelt Island residents being kept awake at night by construction noise and bright lights on the Queensboro Bridge :

... Every night this week (as well as between the 16 and the 20th of july), there has been extremely loud jack hammering on the queensboro bridge, between 10pm and 3-4am. The level of the noise is really unbearable. They also use huge projectors to give light to the workers....

I sent the following inquiry to the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT):

Several Roosevelt Island residents who live near the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge have been upset at the overnight construction noise and lights coming from the Bridge into their apartments between 10 PM and 4 AM.

Can the Department of Transportation provide any information regarding the overnight work which is being done on the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. When will it be completed and is there any way to reduce the noise and lights keeping Roosevelt Island residents awake at night?

The NYC DOT replied:

work currently is being performed to resurface the roadway on the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. The project takes place in two phases—milling and resurfacing—and work is being performed during the day, and in some cases overnight. The resurfacing project will create a smoother riding surface, and alleviate bumpy conditions, which we received complaints about in the past.

and:

We checked our records, and it does not appear that we have received any 311 complaints about this issue. Please note that steps are being taken to mitigate noise related to this active construction project, including using newer equipment and mufflers. With regard to lighting, the roadway lighting is essential for worker safety during overnight shifts. DOT is reminding the crew to take a look at the lights, and where possible, adjust them to make sure the lights are directed only at the roadway.

The project will be completed in the fall, based on weather.

Thank you DOT.

Overnight Queensboro Bridge Construction Work Keeping Some Roosevelt Island Residents Awake

Image From Trevre Andrews

On August 2 a Roosevelt Island resident reported to RI 311 See Click Fix:

Every night this week (as well as between the 16 and the 20th of july), there has been extremely loud jack hammering on the queensboro bridge, between 10pm and 3-4am. The level of the noise is really unbearable. They also use huge projectors to give light to the workers.

Do you have any information of how much time this will last, or if they could stop working during the night, allowing everyone to sleep? 

Earlier today, another Roosevelt Island resident told me that last night he could hear the loud noise of Queensboro Bridge construction work from his apartment at 455 Main Street - 4 buildings away from the bridge

Hope you get a good night sleep tonight.

UPDATE 8/6 - More from Roosevelt Island Southtown residents on Queensboro Bridge construction noise:

Me too in Riverwalk Crossing. Because it's so humid out, we keep the windows closed and the AC on. Otherwise, it would keep us up. :(

and:

I am going to buy earplugs tomorrow, it has been terrible in the past week, and who knows how long this construction will go on. I could not find any information about it online.

UPDATE 8/9 - NYC Department of Transportation reports they will take steps to mitigate the problem. More here.

Roosevelt Island Drug Use - Public Safety Says They Are Aware Of Problem and Increasing Patrols

Image From RI 311 See Click Fix

According to a June 10 report submitted to the RI 311 See Click Fix System:

I have noticed an increasing number of baggies near the 40 River Road bus stop and in the park circled by River Road. Please increase patrols to discourage drug use in this are.

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) responded to the report:

Issue Closed

Public Safety will increase patrol of the area in question, as they are aware of the situation.

Yesterday, I sent the following message to RIOC Public Safety Department Director Keith Guerra:

The 6/12 - 13 Public Safety report indicated:

Arrest- Unlawful Dealing with child/Criminal Possession of Marijuana - PSD arrested the subject

Can you provide any additional information regarding this incident? How old was the child, where did this occur, when and any other relevant context. There is no need for any names of those involved.

Thank you.

RIOC's Press Spokesperson replied:

Here is the additional information that we can provide you:

Date: Tuesday June 12, 2012
Time: 6:42PM
Location: Rear of 900 Main St.
Injuries: None

The Roosevelt Island 24 Hour Public Safety reports are published daily and archived on Roosevelt Islander sidebar.

Report From RIOC President Leslie Torres - Roosevelt Island Gets Some New Main Street Retail Stores, Tram Station Improvements Update, RI 311 See Click Fix, Cherry Blossom Festival & More

You Tube Video of RIOC President's Report 

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Lesie Torres sends the following report to Roosevelt Island residents.

Greetings Roosevelt Islanders. I have a few updates and announcements about projects that will continue to improve life on the Island, so I’ll get right to it…

Main Street Redevelopment Moves Forward

Plans for the redevelopment of the Main Street retail corridor are moving forward.  Last summer, RIOC signed a 30-year lease with Hudson Related Retail LLC to improve the vibrancy and lure new business for the 100,000 square feet of retail space on Main Street.  Now, Hudson/Related is preparing to move into leases with retailers that will provide the Island with an expanded array of goods and services.  Among the new tenants will be organic market Wholesome Direct, a Subway sandwich store and a wine store.  Additionally, the Gristedes grocery store will be remodeled.

We partnered with Hudson/Related for this project because of their excellent track record, including the wonderful work they have done developing the buildings and commercial space in Southtown.  Now, with their plans for a retail makeover on Main Street, the Island will have a beautiful retail corridor that offers quality services to the entire community.

SeeClickFix Provides Island with Custom Mobile And Online Platform

Earlier this week we announced our innovative partnership with SeeClickFix to allow Roosevelt Island residents to report non-emergency issues and request Island services through its online and mobile platform. Launched last year, the place-based reporting platform allows residents to document neighborhood concerns and improvements alike, ranging from potholes and graffiti to litter and broken streetlights.  During the soft launch phase, which began in July 2011, 70 requests for service and other issues were reported to RIOC via SeeClickFix.

We are leveraging this comprehensive platform to increase efficiency when responding to service requests and more efficiently improve the Island’s infrastructure.  SeeClickFix helps us empower the citizens we serve and encourage them to actively engage with each other, their neighborhoods, and us.

With the online and mobile reporting platform, residents can report quality-of-life concerns through service request categories via the RIOC website, custom mobile applications (iPhone, Android, Blackberry), and SeeClickFix.com. When submitting issues via mobile app, for example, residents can provide locational, descriptive, and photographic information as they see the issue in real time. Once the resident submits an issue, RI311, and anyone ‘watching’ the area will receive an alert. RI311 can then acknowledge the service request, route it to the proper department, and update the request—and residents following the issue—once it’s been resolved.

The partnership allows residents to not only report community issues, but also view, comment on, and vote to fix problems submitted by their neighbors. Citizens can even create their own “watch areas” to receive notifications about all issues reported in their community, enabling them to follow the progress of all service requests – not just the ones they report.

RIOC’s SeeClickFix website can be found here: http://rioc.ny.gov/RI311.htm and residents can download iPhone, Android, and Blackberry apps here: http://www.seeclickfix.com/apps

Tram Station Updates

This week we started work on the Roosevelt Island and Manhattan Tram stations.  Work to modernize, beautify, and make the stations more comfortable for riders will be an ongoing project: We are doing our best to minimize disruptions for riders.

What can you expect when we're done?  I think the biggest change you'll see is an enclosure of the platforms and turnstiles.  For all of us who have taken the subway on a windy, cold day, we know what a relief enclosures will bring.  We'll also repair the stairs and repair, patch and paint the stations.

In the meantime, please use caution when walking near construction and have a safe ride.

Problems With Roosevelt Island Red Bus GPS Tracking Applications Recently - NextBus Working To Find Solution Says RIOC

 Image From RI 311 See Click Fix

On April 14, this report was submitted to RI 311 See Click Fix:

No current prediction - is nextbus broken? I have been unable to track the Red Bus for several days.

Yesterday, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) issued this advisory:

Please be advised that we are experiencing difficulties with third party "real time" applications for the Red Bus.

Applications such as "RBT Red Bus Tracking Application" and "RI Bus Tracker Android Application" are currently not operational.

We are diligently working with Next Bus and application developers to fix this issue as soon as possible.

In the interim, Real Time Red Bus information is available at www.nextbus.com

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

Here comes the Red Bus.



More on the Next Bus Roosevelt Island Red Bus GPS system from previous post way back in 2009.

Roosevelt Island 311 See Click Fix Reports - Island House Courtyard Skateboard Noise, Dogs and Kids Going Wild At Farmers Market, & Filthy Women's Sportspark Locker Room

RI 311 See Click Fix Image From RIOC

Do you have a Roosevelt Island issue or problem that can be fixed by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)? If you see a problem or an issue on Roosevelt Island that needs to be brought to the attention of RIOC and fixed, click on RI 311 See Click Fix, report the issue and then monitor RIOC's response to the problem.

Here are some recent reports to RI 311 See Click Fix

skateboard noise

Every single day, the Island Hose courtyard becomes a meeting place for skateboarders who exercise their skills.

The noise made by those skateboarders jumping every possible steps inside the Island House courtyard, is amplified by sound reflections from the surrounding walls.
Is there a way Public Safety can provide a quitter environment for tenants of Island House, by enforcing a NO SKATEBOARD ZONE inside Island House courtyard?

and RIOC's response:

Issue Closed
The courtyard is operated by your building management company, RY Management. Please inform them of the situation as it is there responsibility. We will also ask our Public Safety Officers to observe the specified area.

RIOC

Another issue raised on RI 311 See Click Fix:

Green market protocol

Parents & dog owners! A little sensitivity and some rules needed! dogs going wild, barking, raring their teeth, and jumping up on the food have no place at the green market. Dogs of shouldn't be that close to food sales. And kids on Razor scooters, bikes, skates, etc. are a danger and a nuisance. Please take some responsibility.

RIOC, would u kindly institute some rules:
- no pets allowed in vicinity of food
- no scooters, bicycles, rollerblades, etc. beyond this point?

Thank you!

and RIOC's response:

Issue Closed This is certainly a sensitive matter. The PTA manages the green market as it assists them with meeting their fundrasing goals. We will reach out to them for further discussions and work with the PSD to see that these matters are handled accordingly.
RIOC

Another:

The fruit stand needs lights at night. Currently he uses a generator, which creates unnecessary pollution. Could RIOC make an electrical outlet available at the fruit stand location?

No response yet from RIOC on the fruit stand issue.

One final example:

I guess it will take Cornell moving over here for RIOC to try to put on a good face.. Filthy, nasty women's locker rooms at Sports Park Pool

Bet you 100 bucks by the time Cornell moves in here RIOC will jump to cleaning up the dark, old and pitiful dressing rooms at the pool. l would like to see Ms. Torres' face if she wanted to go for a swim at the Sports park Pool and went into the dressing rooms with her family to change, and shower. I bet she would be heading over to Home Depot stat to purchase some Clorox, a few Mr. Shower heads and she might even grab a gallon or two of yellow or sage green paint and some new clean and slip proof tiles for the floors, not to mention some new light fixtures.

What do people think that come over and use the pool and use the showers before and after the pool? My god, clean the place up if not for us for the kids that frequent the place!

maybe we should go in and take pictures of the showers and the dressing areas to show what we are talking about...last time I went, my flip flops were sticking to the dressing room floor! I wanted to sterilize my hands after touching everything in there. All of that then gets transferd into the pool.

A complete make over is in order, plain and simple.

No RI 311 response yet from RIOC on this issue though RIOC VP of Operations Fernando Martinez did respond to complaints about condition of Sportspark locker rooms in post earlier this week:

The Sports Park locker rooms are cleaned daily, and they were painted about 2 years ago.  We are having preliminary internal discussions on an overall Sports Park rehabilitation project.

One problem with the RI 311 reporting system is that RIOC lists an issue as "Closed" when they respond to the listing, not necessarily when the issue is resolved. Perhaps RIOC should acknowledge an issue is received, then wait until the issue is resolved before indicating it is closed.

More on Roosevelt Island 311 See Click Fix from previous post. 

Remember, if you see a Roosevelt Island problem, say something and report it.

Update To Cornell Technion Roosevelt Island Engineering School Selection - Mayor Bloomberg Interview, Transportation Infrastructure Questions, Why Not Stanford, Academic Program and Graffiti Clean Up Called For

Image From Cornell In NYC

Here's a follow up to post on Tuesday reporting that Cornell Technion partnership was selected to build the NYC Applied Sciences and Engineering School on Roosevelt Island.

Mayor Bloomberg and Cornell President David Skorton appeared on Good Day New York Tuesday morning to discuss the new graduate engineering school and its impact on New York City. Mayor Bloomberg also categorically denied any intention to run as an independent candidate for President in 2012.

Bloomberg: Cornell On Roosevelt Island To Change Education In NYC: MyFoxNY.com

2nd Avenue Sagas Blogger asks, as do those of us living here, what is the future for Roosevelt Island transportation infrastructure improvements with the arrival of the Cornell Technion campus?

 ... In a post yesterday, Cap’n Transit wondered how Roosevelt Island would remain relatively car-free. The infrastructure on the island can’t really support a huge influx of cars as it is even as the current hospital areas near where the campus will go up are relatively car-heavy. “Let’s hope,” the Cap’n writes, “that the Cornell and Technion designers have more vision than they showed in that lame fly-through, and that they build something urban and scholarly, with really narrow streets, like in Paris’s Latin Quarter....

and:

One potential “right thing” could involve exploring a new subway stop for the island. The 53rd St. tunnel passes directly underneath what will be the southern end of the Cornell campus. There’s no station right now, and I have no idea if one is even technically or economically feasible. But it would serve to anchor the campus and would nearly eliminate the need to drive to Cornell-on-Roosevelt. Currently, while the F train itself at Roosevelt Island is very crowded, the station is only the 180th most popular. That figure is a bit deceptive though as the 37.6 percent increase in ridership from 2009 to 2010 was the second highest in the city. Over 2.5 million riders a year use the station, and that number will jump considerably with the campus....

During Monday's Press Conference, I asked Mayor Bloomberg and Cornell President Skorton that very question regarding transportation infrastructure improvements for Roosevelt Island and received a general reply that they were very aware of the issue and it will be addressed but no specifics at that moment. After the press conference I asked NYC Economic Development Corp President Seth Pinsky about Roosevelt Island transportation infrastructure and he indicated that discussions will be underway with the MTA on this issue. Also nothing specific at that moment.

There were some interesting comments to the 2nd Avenue Sagas post on Roosevelt Island transportation infrastructure including:

The proper grading for a stop in the 53rd St tubes is simply not there. You need essentially a level grade for about 600 ft, or as close as possible to 600 ft. Besides there is ample capacity at the Roosevelt Island stop. Ample train capacity would be achieved by putting the “F” back in 53rd St, where it belongs, and routing the much more lightly loaded “M” into 63rd St. In so doing you’d eliminate all the ridiculously slow and delay generating switching moves at Queens Plaza & 36 St. Nights & weekends when the “M” quits the “F” could be be rerouted to 63rd St. For reliability a railroad should be straight railed to the maximum extent possible. Eliminate all unnecessary switching moves.

the Queensboro Bridge Roosevelt Island elevator idea returns:

Perhaps adding a mid-bridge station on the Queensboro? Is it not true that trolley service over the bridge featured a Roosevelt Island stop?

and:

... Is there any word on expanding ferry service to the new campus? I imagine such service would be very convenient for those coming from LIC or Brooklyn....

or:

What about constructing a new tram from the Cornell campus to the new development at the former Con Ed site just south of the UN? That has to be cheaper than a new subway stop. Add in the Vision42 proposal (hey, we’re dreaming here, right?) and you’ve got a pretty quick route into Midtown.

Click here for the entire 2nd Avenue Sagas post and additional comments.

The NY Observer Beta Beat has an excellent article headlined:

Safety School? As Stanford Says ‘See Ya!’ Bloomberg Hops in Bed with Big Red
How New York City got a better deal by going with the less prestigious choice.

regarding the competition between Cornell and Stanford to be selected to build the new school. According to Beta Beat:

...  Part of the difficulty of understanding where negotiations broke down is a silence clause stipulated in the request for proposal (RFP). But numerous sources, who spoke under condition of anonymity, painted a picture of tense discussions and onerous demands that left several schools wary, including Stanford.

Cornell, eager to increase its presence in New York City, was more compliant at the negotiating table and better versed in what it took to get city approval, including fundraising before commitments were made. Sources said the $350 million gift, for example, had been secured for months. “We need to expand beyond Ithaca,” President Skorton said plainly from the podium.

“Cornell needed it more. But NYC Tech needs Stanford more,” tweeted New York City–based venture capitalist David Pakman, alluding to the latter’s prestige within tech circles and facility with spinning out successful startups. (There’s a reason China and Russia are trying to build their own Silicon Valley.)
In the end, it seems the city got a better deal for taxpayers by going with the one that wanted it more, rather than the one it was supposed to want.

A university source familiar with the negotiations said Stanford’s decision to drop out wasn’t based on any one issue, but rather due to “a whole host of things that held them liable for factors outside of [their] control,” such as big-ticket penalties for missed construction deadlines and the city’s desire “to indemnify themselves for any toxicity” at the Roosevelt Island site. Although a Phase II study was commissioned this year, a full scale analysis of the medical dump under the hospital cannot be done until the building is razed. Should serious hazards be uncovered, the school will be on the hook not only for the clean-up but also potentially for resultant delays.”You had a lot of institutions that wouldn’t even apply because of the terms, and they got even more severe in the negotiation process,” said the source.

City officials counter that such stipulations are par for the course. “If we didn’t include these types of commitments, there would be a chorus of people saying: How could the city write a blank check to a university that in five years could just decide it wasn’t into it?!” one official said. “It’s standard in any kind of long-term land lease or land sale that the city would ask the recipient to agree to certain benchmarks.”....

Click here for the entire Beta Beat article.

Tech Crunch interviewed Cornell Dean Daniel Huttenlocher on the new Roosevelt Island school:

... Academically, we’re looking at shifting away from traditional university campus disciplines. There’ll be key disciplines involved — computer science, electrical engineering, operations research, applied math — but those disciplines need to be in the context of other disciplines where tech is being applied…. hubs that combine tech and other fields. In media, for instance, there are relevant areas of the social sciences, like sociology and psychology.

It’s about building interdisciplinary groupings that focus on these domains — Connective Media, Healthier Life, and the Built Environment. That second one isn’t just health care, but things like lifestyle types of apps. The third is about smart building technology, green buildings.
If you look at startup companies in New York, there’s certainly media. That’s a big, active area in the city’s economy.

For health, you’re seeing some startups there. But I’d say it’s the leading edge of the startup world. Then with green tech, that’s the bleeding edge, and there are relatively few companies. There’s a lot of growth potential in all these areas from a jobs perspective, and we see the academic areas that support them are not pure tech....

Click here for the entire Tech Crunch interview.

What impact Cornell's huge presence on Roosevelt Island will have in the future is unknown but it will be immense. Someone, perhaps associated with Cornell using the name Cornell Tech, is trying to have an impact by reporting this graffiti issue to RI 311 See Click Fix system.

HUGE HUGE gang tagging on the sea wall, all in Queens can see it

this thing is huge and been there a long time..would be nice if it was covered up, painted, sandblasted off. You can see it from Queens and it is very large, had to take a long time to do.

Let's see how fast the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) jumps to clean up the graffiti mess pointed out by Cornell.

This is just the beginning of a very long and exciting process for the Roosevelt Island community. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Roosevelt Island's Grandpa Al Lewis Playground Fencing Needs Repair Before Kid Gets Hurt - This Issue and Others Reported To RI 311 See Click Fix For Resolution By RIOC - You Can Report Issues Too

 Image of Grandpa Al Lewis Playground From Roosevelt Island 360

Special Playground Correspondent Roosevelt Island 360 reports on a potential safety problem at Grandpa Al Lewis Playground:

The playground equipment at Grandpa Al Lewis Playground is probably the most heavily used on Roosevelt Island due to its location and popularity to all the local kids. That popularity has taken its toll on the equipment.  And an accident is just waiting to happen.

After the removal of the overhead monkey bars RIOC fenced off the remaining platform securing the fences with plastic straps. Straps that have to endure the pressure of hundreds of kids weekly pulling and pushing upon the fences. At one end of one fence four straps secure the fence. The other side only two. The second fence only has one remaining strap.

It is this fence and remaining strap that will probably soon fail and I believe RIOC should be monitoring and fixing before something happens.

On our way home from the playground we stopped in at Public Safety to report the condition. We'll see how long it takes to be truly repaired. Simply replacing straps is not a long term option.

You can vote to have this condition described by Roosevelt Island 360 fixed by visiting Roosevelt Island 311 See Click Fix

on the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) web site. You can also track how RIOC responds to this issue as well as other issues previously submitted to the site including

• Was in the Tram and only one side of windows was open (no cross ventilation-hot). It was full so I couldn't get to the operators. When the tram got to the Island I told the operator to open them. He did, but this should be part of the procedure on every shift. Also a slide saying "hot, please ask operator to open all tram windows" would help too.
• Community Gardens has no power
• Friends, when approaching the roundabout southward on Main St, there is a roundabout sign, AND an ALL TRAFFIC sign. I think this can be confusing!
• There are a lot of cars at Motorgate that park outside the parking lines and as a result take up more than one space. Some cars park in the small car areas that are very big and this makes it difficult to get around the turns. Most of the parking lot lines are old, not clear or bright so a solution might be to paint these with a bright reflective paint. Also the rules should be enforced or penalty system agreed to make sure people parking follow the rules.
• In Motorgate the Zipcar signs are on the ground. It would be easier to see if you put them on the wall or both. Also if you painted the parking lines Zipcar green that would help too!

In addition to voting for and monitoring issues already submitted to RIOC, you can report them as well. So, if you see a problem or an issue on Roosevelt Island that needs to be brought to the attention of RIOC and fixed, click on RI 311, report the issue and then monitor RIOC's response to the problem.

More on the See Click Fix reporting system from previous posts.

Summaries of Roosevelt Island 311 See Click Fix reports appear on the Blog's middle sidebar.

Internship Opportunity With NYC Digital, Help Improve the Delivery of NYC Municipal Services - Roosevelt Island Is Already Using Digital Technology To Report 311 Problems, Track Buses, Monitor Parking and May Soon Have Free Island Wide Wi-Fi Access

You Tube Video Explaining Digital NYC

Roosevelt Island resident Jonathan Kalkin shares this opportunity for an internship with NYC Digital.

NYC Digital is seeking an intern skilled in social media tools and strategy. This individual should have excellent communication skills, professional experience in digital media, and mastery of prominent digital media platforms and tracking applications. The intern will play an important role in supporting New York City’s digital media presence by contributing to social media channels and facilitating coordination with City agencies...  

What is NYC Digital? According to it's web site:

The mission of NYC Digital is to create a healthier civil society and stronger democracy through the use of technology that engages, serves, and connects New Yorkers.

To this end, NYC Digital coordinates digital citywide initiatives that support the efficient exchange of information and services between the public and the City of New York government. This includes the user experience and content of nyc.gov, 311 Online, crowdsourcing and participatory media initiatives, and the coordination of social media efforts. In May 2011, NYC Digital released Road Map for the Digital City, a comprehensive plan to make New York city the world’s premier Digital City....

Mr. Kalkin adds:

A great internship opportunity for a Roosevelt Island resident who wants to innovate New York City.

In addition to the New York City government, Roosevelt Island is also attempting to lead the way in the use of digital technology to improve the delivery of municipal resources and services with the recent launching of the Roosevelt Island 311 See Click Fix problem reporting system,

the Next Bus GPS Red Bus Tracking system, an Android Cell Phone Red Bus GPS App developed by a Roosevelt Island resident, a wireless smart parking sensor system and may soon have free outdoor Wi-Fi available from Southpoint Park to Lighthouse Park from NYC Wireless.

More on the use of new technology on Roosevelt Island from previous posts.

Former Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Director Jonathan Kalkin Sums Up Experience As RIOC Board Member - Cites Accomplishments and Future Challenges

Image of Former RIOC Director Jonathan Kalkin

Former Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board Director Jonathan Kalkin reviews his tenure on the Board and reports:

Democracy is fragile. As the son of an immigrant who was born in the Dominican Republic and lived under a dictator part of her life, I am reminded of this all the time. The things we take for granted, like voting for our leaders and being able to openly disagree with them and sometimes influence their decisions, is a gift that we miss only when we start to lose it.

Over the past couple of years, I have tried to take the lead on many of the issues that have plagued Roosevelt Island for most of the time we have been here. I took them on because they were difficult. My strong fellow board members followed me into uncharted territory and with little promise of success. Together, we moved forward to reform the way our government and Island worked, with the hope of making this a better place to live.

Affordable housing and privatization is probably the most complex issue that we face on the Island. Due to a constant shift in leadership and administrations, and the loaded nature of the issue, it starts and stops and is never completed. During my tenure as the chair of the Real Estate Advisory Committee, I tried to get the dialogue going between the agencies involved, any questions resolved, and, most importantly, moving forward to completion. I started by setting up a meeting at City Hall with every agency involved, to share documents and resolve any issues going forward. Since the board had never passed a resolution in favor of DHCR’s affordable housing plans, I put that on the agenda and we passed it as a commitment to moving forward in favor of long-term affordability for all Mitchell-Lama buildings. The end result is that the board has passed a lease extension that ensures long-term affordability for Rivercross and, most recently, moved forward in committee with the DHCR affordability plan for Island House. It pleases me that these milestones have been achieved, and I have confidence that our board will make sure that the last portion of this work is completed. I’m proud of our commitment to affordability, and that our resolution and work led to real results.

Main Street retail has been a problem for years, and it was one of the first things I tried to work on as a resident and then as a board member. The Retail Master Lease is proof that an idea can come from a resident and be approved by the Residents Association, move to the board, and become a solution that is mutually beneficial for the government and private business. It secures the present revenue stream for RIOC and shares profits above that, benefits the community with a competitive and vibrant retail environment, and takes government (and the long and onerous RFP process that goes with it) out of the business of retail management for the Island.

There will also be significant investment in the spaces to make them look great for tenants and for the community. However, to be especially successful, I recommend that you go to your favorite off-Island stores and restaurants, and tell them that Roosevelt Island is finally ready to rent stores. The more of you who reach out to entrepreneurs and businesses that you love and bring them to the Island, the better the choices we will have in the future. This plan will not only bring jobs and money into our economy, but Hudson-Related has significant retail experience, and the success of Main Street Retail helps promote the completion of the final buildings of Southtown. That will bring significant revenue for RIOC, which can help secure our promise of long-term affordability for the buildings in Northtown and help pay for our infrastructure and operational needs going forward.

Transportation on this Island has always had a dependability problem, and now it appears to be turning a corner. During my term as chair of the Operations Committee, we installed the Nextbus bus-tracking system, and a consistent schedule. Islanders have developed mobile apps to track the Red Bus Nextbus system, and many of these mobile apps will soon be posted with download instructions and websites at each bus stop. I had RIOC staff and myself meet at Google Headquarters to work on maps and screens at each bus stop so you can see when the next Red Bus is arriving even if you don’t own a mobile device.

 I’ve secured funding for electric-car charging stations for Motorgate, so we can get around greener on the Island. Verdant Power is working with the Island to power this with Tidal Energy. This, coupled with our new transportation manager, should make our transportation system more reliable around the Island. It will take time to get it right, but the foundation is in place to make it work.

Parking enforcement and availability will begin to improve with our smart-parking sensor system, which will hopefully be deployed throughout the Island. This, coupled with lower short-term parking prices at Motorgate, will make sure that people use short-term parking for its intended purpose – to drop off and pick up without double-parking. Public Safety officers are being trained with iPhones so that they can handle violations indicated by the sensors while focusing on keeping the Island safe. Improved parking systems will also make sure our new and improved retail corridor has the ample parking spaces that merchants need to thrive. Less double-parking and additional enforcement of parking rules will make sure that the Red Bus can keep on schedule. Also, a mobile app and street signage will indicate if there is parking available ahead, and allow payment so you don’t have to circle the Island.

Many of these suggestions and issues have been brought up on RIOC’s new RI311 issue-tracking system that is being tested. It is powered by the citizen-311 system SeeClickFix.com. It will soon be on the RIOC website, and it will help the community indicate the issues on the Island and vote up, comment, and take photos of these issues. When issues are resolved, everyone who indicated an interest will get an email notification that it has been closed.

I’m excited to start the next chapter of my life on Roosevelt Island by working on a team that will negotiate a community-benefit agreement with the new university planned for the southern end of Roosevelt Island. I believe this is a unique moment to work on a number of infrastructure improvements, like green affordable energy for everyone on Roosevelt Island, and an extension of the free Island-wide wi-fi Internet plan like the one that I worked on with Verizon and is being completed for Southpoint Park. Ferry service may prove feasible with university help, and a dock study is currently being completed. Ideas like a science school, scholarships for local students, and an advanced library will be negotiated to make sure that this university and Roosevelt Island mutually benefit from our relationship.

Community input and an independent elected board led to these improvements and ensure that they will continue. Ideas like Tram straps and a more stable ride, better stores, and other suggestions that led to a better Island came from the grassroots level. It is that commitment to the community that is threatened each time an unelected board member takes a seat. It unravels the fabric of our community, and despite the best intentions, it is a blow to our democracy and independence. Roosevelt Island is the embodiment of the American Dream, and no part of that dream should be compromised. Don’t let it happen.

The reason for Mr. Kalkin no longer being on the RIOC Board is discussed fully at previous post.

American Flag Flying Over Roosevelt Island's Firefighter's Field Torn and Ripped - Let's Get This Repaired Quick - the Roosevelt Island Tram Countdown Clock Too

 Image of Torn American Flag Flying Over Roosevelt Island's Firefighter's Field

A report was made to See Click Fix last Tuesday that the American Flag flying over Roosevelt Island's Firefighter's Field is torn and ripped.

The corner of the US flag next to the tram roundabout got caught in the rope and the flag started to tear apart. That should be easy to fix.

 Image of Torn American Flag Flying Over Roosevelt Island's Firefighter's Field

On Wednesday, another report was made to See Click Fix asking that the countdown time display clock

 at the Tram Stations be fixed:

 The time display at the tram station is not working properly. It always say "Next tram: 6 minutes", no matter how long you wait.

Then, when the tram actually starts moving, it jumps from 6 to 4 minutes, and only then it starts to work properly. But at that point, I already know the tram is coming, so no need for a display.

RIOC should fix it to always show the right time for the next tram. It shouldn't be too difficult, given they have a schedule.

So, as soon as the Tram leaves a station, the countdown clock starts at 6 minutes even if the next Tram is not due to leave the same station for another 15 minutes. The clock stays at 6 minutes until the tram leaves the opposite station when the clock begins the countdown at 4 minutes. That's not very useful.

Let's get the Flag repaired now, the Tram countdown clock soon thereafter and not continue to wait for months as have some other Roosevelt Island issues listed on See Click Fix before being addressed such as the graffiti on this Rivercross Lawn tree.

More on Roosevelt Island See Click Fix and how to report issues from earlier post.

UPDATE - 3/20 - See Click Fix reports that the damage flag at Firefighter's Field has been replaced.

Roosevelt Island Christmas Trees Still Not Removed From Outside Of Roosevelt Landings/Eastwood - Does The Building Management Have A Problem With The Timely Removal Of Trash?

Image of Christmas Tree Trash Outside Window of Roosevelt Landings/Eastwood

How long is it reasonable to expect trash to remain outside of Roosevelt Landings/Eastwood without being removed? A resident of Roosevelt Landings/Eastwood looks out apartment window today and reports:

A view outside my window of Eastwood - 580. Yes, it's been under snow for a while but it's been over a week or more now that the snow has melted and the trees remain!

It's March already - think it's time to clear away the Christmas trees, Dontcha think????

The management at Roosevelt Landings/Eastwood seem to have a problem with the timely removal of trash. Remember the uncovered dumpster filled with trash behind the building on the East Channel reported previously?

Uncovered Dumpster On East Promenade

These are the type of Roosevelt Island problems that should be reported to the Roosevelt Island See Click Fix system. It's very easy to do and will establish a record of Roosevelt Island issues including a method of measuring RIOC's response, if any, to the issue. Try it out!

Full Roosevelt Island Agenda At Today's RIOC Operations Committee Meeting - Tram, Bus Route, Bike Sharing, Ferry, WIFI, Green Tech & Other Projects

Looks like the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Operations Committee has a very full agenda on it's plate for this afternoon's meeting. According to RIOC:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Operations Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Monday, September 27, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.

The Committee will meet to discuss:

1. The Aerial Tram Modernization Project progress;

2. Southtown Bus Loop;

3. Motorgate Lighting Project Progress;

4. Bike Sharing RFP;

5. FIOS WIFI Internet Access to Southpoint Park;

6. LCD Nextbus Signage;

7.Motorgate Solar Panel RFP and other Green Initiatives, i.e. LED Lights, Solar power for the Sportspark and the Tram stations;

8. SeeClickFix 311 System Beta Test;

9. Main Street Parking Initiative, and

10. Ferry service.

The RIOC Operations Committee meeting is open to the public and available soon thereafter as an audio web cast.