Southpoint Park Open Space Presentation, Approval Of Contract To Operate Roosevelt Island Tram & Expenditure Of Funds To RI Youth Program Among Items On RIOC February 16 Board Of Directors Meeting Agenda

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors will meet tomorrow evening, February 16 at the Cultural Center.

Image Of RIOC Board Of Directors Meeting

Among the items on the Agenda are:

• presentation of Southpoint Park Open Space development project,
• contract with Leitner Poma for operation of the Roosevelt Island Tram and
• authorization of expenditure of funds to the Roosevelt Island Youth Program.

Prior to the start of the RIOC Board meeting, there will be a public comment period. Sign up here to speak at the meeting.

Below is the full agenda for tomorrow's RIOC Board meeting:

AGENDA
FEBRUARY 16, 2017 MEETING OF

THE ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS THE CULTURAL CENTER THEATER, 548 MAIN STREET, ROOSEVELT ISLAND, NEW YORK

5:30 P.M.1

I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call

III. Approval of Minutes

1. December 8, 2017 Board Meeting (Board Action Required)

IV. Old Business

V. New Business

1. Presentation by Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc. on the Southpoint Open Space Development Project

2. Ratification of Amendment of Contract with Leitner-Poma of America O&M, Inc. for Operation and Maintenance of the Roosevelt Island Aerial Tramway (Board Action Required)

3. Authorization to Enter into Contract with Leitner-Poma of America, Inc. for Operation and Maintenance of the Roosevelt Island Aerial Tramway (Board Action Required)

4. Authorization to Amend Contract with RJ Green Construction Corporation for the Sportspark Roof and Façade Repairs (Board Action Required)

5. Authorization to Amend Contract with Hawkins Webb Jaeger, PLLC for Engineering Consulting Services (Board Action Required)

6. Authorization of Expenditure of Funds to Roosevelt Island Youth Program, Inc. (Board Action Required)

7. President’s Report

8. Committee Reports

a. Audit Committee

b. Governance Committee

c. Operations Advisory Committee

d. Real Estate Development Advisory Committee

9. Public Safety Report

VI. Adjournment

1 The RIOC Board Meeting will commence following a public comment period. The public comment period is not part of the meeting.

You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Community Meeting On Future Of Southpoint Park Tuesday December 13 - Review Various Proposals For Future Active And Passive Uses Of Southpoint Park

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Community Plan for Southpoint Open Space

 Image From Southpoint Community Plan

4th Community Advisory Committee Meeting

As a reminder, the 4th Community Advisory Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 13th at 6:30 PM at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street) in the large community room on the lower level of the building.

Note: A call-in number has been set up for anyone who cannot attend but would like to observe the meeting live. Please email the project team at SouthpointOpenSpace@gmail.com by 2:00 PM tomorrow (December 13th) to request the call-in information.

Most of the evening will involve presentations, discussions, and activities with the Committee members, but there will be a designated time at the end of the meeting to hear from the public. There will also be comment forms available if public attendees want to submit their input in writing.

The Community Advisory Committee has representatives from over 20 organizations on Roosevelt Island and is scheduled to meet a total of four times during the project, providing advice and input throughout.

Click here to visit the the project website for more information and to learn about all the opportunities to get involved.

Don't forget! Share and view images of Southpoint Open Space on the Flickr page, click here.

We look forward to hearing from you!

RIOC Southpoint Open Space consultant Arnie Bloch of Fitzgerald & Halliday presented various passive and active draft concepts for the future of Southpoint Park during the November 30 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Meeting. Here's what Mr. Bloch presented on possible future versions of Southpoint Park,



the November 30 Community  Plan for Southpoint Open Space RIRA presentation

Southpoint Open Space Nov Presentation

and the introduction of Mr. Bloch's presentation



which included an overview of the project's process.

More information on the Community Plan for Southpoint Open Space at it's web site.

You're Invited Tonight, November 10, To Presentation Of Conceptual Plans For Future Use Of Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park Open Space - RIOC Seeking Your Input And Feedback

 Image Of Southpoint Park From Google Maps

As previously reported, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) hired the Fitzgerald & Halliday consulting firm to study



and propose a Community Plan for future uses of Southpoint Park.

Image From Southhpoint Community Plan

According to the Community Plan For Southpoint Open Spaces Project Overview:

The purpose of the Community Plan for Southpoint Open Space is to develop an implementable plan that will guide the future of Southpoint Park and the Smallpox Hospital for the next ten years. Community engagement is a key component of each phase of the design process, and this will ensure the Plan truly reflects the community's priorities, values, and vision....

Image From Southpoint Community Plan

According to RIOC:

Come to the November 10th Public Meeting about the future of Southpoint Open Space!

Get involved and tell us what you think.

Join us at the next public meeting for the Community Plan for Southpoint Open Space on Thursday, November 10th from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM at The Child School Legacy HS on 566 Main Street (directly across from M&D Deli).

The meeting will begin at 6:30 PM with an informal open house. A brief presentation of the draft concepts for the Open Space will begin at 7:00 PM, followed by will be an opportunity to submit your input and feedback through various activities and discussion.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, November 10th at 6:30 PM!

Visit the project website to learn more about how you can get involved: www.SouthpointCommunityPlan.com

To share and view images of Southpoint Open Space on Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/southpointopenspacecommunityplan/

Have a comment or suggestion? Email us at SouthpointOpenSpace@gmail.com

During a very hot summer day in July 2016, residents, of Roosevelt Island talked to Fitzgerald & Halliday representatives about how Southpoint Park is currently used. Residents accurately described Southpoint Park as follows:

... we come to this park in motion. we don't stay...

and:

... it's scarcely used. It's empty except for some poor tourists who got lost...

and:

... beautiful views...

More information available at the Community Plan For Southpoint Open Space web site.

You Have Until Midnight Tonight To Take Roosevelt Island Southpoint Open Space Survey, Help Determine The Future Of Southpoint Park - Should Historic, But Crumbling, Renwick Smallpox Hospital Ruins Be Demolished?

 Image Of Southpoint Park From Google Maps

The Southpoint Open Space Survey team reported today

Complete the Community Survey about Southpoint Open Space TODAY before it closes at midnight! 

We want to hear what you think!

Click here!  Today is your last chance to complete the brief online survey to tell us what you think about Southpoint Open Space.  Get your answers in before the survey closes at midnight!

So what are you waiting for?  Click here to take the survey now!

Please note that all answers are completely anonymous.  We will let you know when the survey results are posted on the project website. 

And don't forget to mark your calendar for our upcoming Planning and Design Charrette on Saturday, July 23rd!  More information, including a detailed schedule and location, can be viewed on the website by clicking here: http://www.southpointcommunityplan.com/public-meetings/

For more information and to learn about more opportunities to get involved, visit the project website by clicking here: www.SouthpointCommunityPlan.com

Have a comment or suggestion?  Email us at SouthpointOpenSpace@gmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

I spoke with Fitzgerald & Halliday's Arnie Bloch about the Southpoint Open Space Survey at the May 14 Saturday's Farmers Market.



Here's what Mr. Bloch had to say.



One opinion for Southpoint Park proposed by the Roosevelt Island Daily is to:

Tear Down the Renwick Smallpox Hospital Ruins

It's close to blasphemy in some Roosevelt Island circles, but common sense demands that we take a hard look at the pile of rubble, known variously as the Renwick Ruins, the Smallpox Hospital or a combination of both, scaring the southend of Southpoint before pouring more hundreds of thousands of dollars into it with no other goal than "public access."

Click here for the full Roosevelt Island Daily post advocating demolishing the Renwick Smallpox Hospital Ruins.

Previous estimates for the cost of stabilizing the Renwick Smallpox Hospital Ruins have been in the millions of dollars.

More on the future and possible restoration of the Smallpox Hospital

Image From FDR Four Freedoms Park Conservancy

at this previous post.

UPDATE 7/12 - An online history of the Renwick Smallpox Hospital Ruins.

Roosevelt Island Ferry Dock, Resiliency Plan, Southpoint Park Open Space, Bicycle Ramp, Cultural Center Repairs & More On June 14 RIOC Board Real Estate Meeting Agenda

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Development Advisory Committee meets Tuesday June 14. According to RIOC

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC Administrative Office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.

Agenda:

Discussion of Four Freedoms Park Facilities.

Discussion of City’s Resiliency Plan.

Update on Southpoint Open Space Community Plan Progress.

Discussion of Bicycle Ramp.

Update on Ferry Dock.

Discussion of Cultural Center Repairs.

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

***

The Open Meetings Law of the State of New York requires that all public bodies conduct meetings, convened for the purpose of officially conducting public business, in a manner open to attendance by the general public to observe and listen.

A web cast will be available soon thereafter.

Roosevelt Island Residents Surveyed About Future Of Southpoint Park At Farmers Market Last Saturday - Upcoming Resident Surveys At Bike NY Helmet Giveaway, Roosevelt Island Day And Online

Mr. Bloch and Ms. Miltimore spoke with members of the Roosevelt Island community at the Farmers Market last Saturday about possible future uses at Southpoint Park

 Image Of Southpoint Park From Google Maps

including an East River kayak facilitity, open spaces,

special events, performances, making it pet friendly,

landscape aesthetics, the Smallpox Hospital

and much more.

I spoke with Mr. Bloch about the Southpoint Open Space Survey at last Saturday's Farmers Market. Here's what he had to say.



The Southpoint Open Space Survey team reported today:

Rescheduled Pop-Up Outreach Meeting

What do you think of Southpoint Open Space? Would you like to see it enhanced for the community?

We want to hear from you. We want to know what you think.

In light of tomorrow's forecast for a rainy Saturday, our second Pop-Up Outreach Meeting has been rescheduled. Please note the new day and time below.

Come to Bike New York's Helmet Giveaway Event on Thursday, 5/26 from 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM, located in Good Shepherd Plaza (543 Main Street).

We will be at a project booth where you can tell us what you think about the Southpoint Open Space and the Smallpox Hospital, a New York City Landmark.

Can't make it? We'll also be at Roosevelt Island Day to host our third and final Pop-Up Outreach Meeting. Make sure to stop by our booth to tell us what you think!

Roosevelt Island Day
When: Saturday, June 11, from 11 AM to 3 PM
Where: Good Shepherd Plaza (543 Main Street) & Blackwell Plaza (500 Main Street)

For more information and to learn about more opportunities to get involved, visit the project website by clicking here: www.SouthpointCommunityPlan.com

Have a comment or suggestion? Email us at SouthpointOpenSpace@gmail.com

We're looking forward to hearing from you!

More information on the Southpoint Open Space project at their web site and this previous post.

What Improvements Would You Like To See At Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park Open Space - Share Your Opinions At Saturday's Farmers Market May 14

Image Of Southpoint Park From Google Maps

As reported April 27, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

In March 2016, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation initiated a one-year project to develop a Community Plan for Southpoint Open Space. The project’s significant public engagement effort kicks off on Thursday, April 28th with the initial meeting of the Community Advisory Committee....

... The Community Advisory Committee has representatives from over 20 organizations on Roosevelt Island. The committee is scheduled to meet four times during the project, providing advice and input throughout. The project will also involve an extensive community engagement effort, which will include 1) outreach efforts at upcoming island Spring events 2) a series of public meetings and workshops; 3) a website, and 4) an online survey....

RIOC hired the Fitzgerald & Halliday (F&H) consulting firm to help develop the Southpoint Park Open Space Plan.

Representatives of F&H will be at the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market tomorrow to gather information on what residents would like to see happen at Southpoint Park.

Image From Southpoint Community Plan

According to RIOC:

What do you think of Southpoint Open Space? Would you like to see it enhanced for the community?

We want to hear what you think.

Come to the Roosevelt Island Farmer's Market this Saturday May 14th from 11 AM to 3 PM, located next to the base of the Roosevelt Island 36th Avenue Helix ramp.

There will be a booth where you can tell us what you think about the Southpoint Open Space and the Smallpox Hospital, a New York City Landmark.

Can't make it? Here are other opportunities to let us know what you think:

Bike Walk NY Helmet Giveaway
When: Saturday, May 21, from 11 AM to 3 PM
Where: Good Shepherd Plaza (543 Main Street)

Roosevelt Island Day
When: Saturday, June 11, from 11 AM to 3 PM
Where: Good Shepherd Plaza (543 Main Street) & Blackwell Plaza (500 Main Street)

For more information, visit the project website by clicking here: www.SouthpointCommunityPlan.com

Have a comment or suggestion? Email us at SouthpointOpenSpace@gmail.com

We're looking forward to hearing from you!

The April 28 Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park Community Advisory Committee meeting was hosted by F&H representatives Arnold Bloch and Mary Miltimore,. During the meeting, Roosevelt Island Parents' Network Coordinator Eva Bosbach asked for the reason why the Southpoint Park survey is happening now.

F&H's Mary Miltimore replied that the reason is for RIOC to be ready with a community plan in the event future projects and funding become available.



Possible future projects for Southpoint Park that have been discussed in the past include the donation of a Korean Pavilion and the renovation of the Smallpox Hospital by the FDR Four Freedoms Park.

RIOC Director Margie Smith speaking during the Public Session remarked that she hoped:

... we do not lose sight that...

Southpoint Park is:

... first and foremost for the residents of this Island...

and encouraged more public brainstorming sessions.



Below is the F&H presentation to the April 28 Southpoint Open Space Community Advisory Committee

Southpoint Park Stakeholders Presentation

and a visioning word exercise about what the participants currently value most about the Southpoint Open space.

Images From Southpoint Community Plan Project Library

Here's video portions of the April 28 Southpoint Open Space Community Advisory Committee meeting.

Ms Miltimore provides an introduction to the process



and discussion by the committee.





More information available at the Southpoint Community Plan web site.

Come Help Plan The Future Of Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park - You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park Open Space Advisory Committee Meeting 6:00 PM Thursday April 28

Image Of Southpoint Park From Google Maps

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) reports:

In March 2016, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation initiated a one-year project to develop a Community Plan for Southpoint Open Space. The project’s significant public engagement effort kicks off on Thursday, April 28th with the initial meeting of the Community Advisory Committee. The meeting will be held at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street, lower level) at 6:30 PM. The Community Advisory Committee has representatives from over 20 organizations on Roosevelt Island. The committee is scheduled to meet four times during the project, providing advice and input throughout. The project will also involve an extensive community engagement effort, which will include 1) outreach efforts at upcoming island Spring events 2) a series of public meetings and workshops; 3) a website, and 4) an online survey. The public is invited to attend the Community Advisory Committee meetings and observe the presentations, discussions, and activities with the Committee members. There will be a designated time at the end of the meeting for public comments. In addition, there will also be comment forms available for public attendees to submit their questions/comments in writing. We hope to see you there.

The RIOC Board of Directors Real Estate Development Advisory committee met last evening and discussed plans for the April 28 meeting (full audio web cast of meeting here).

Initially, the consultant facilitator (Fitzgerald & Halliday) hired by RIOC and RIOC staff would not allow members of the Roosevelt Island public who were not invited to join the Community Advisory Committee to attend the April 28 meeting.

However, after RIOC Director Margie Smith objected to this exclusion of the Roosevelt Island public,  RIOC Acting President Susan Rosenthal overruled the staff decision and invited the public to attend the meeting.

Here's the discussion.



You can take a video tour of the August 2,2011 Grand Opening of Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park here.

UPDATE 4/28 - According to RIOC:

Please note there is a time change for the first public engagement session tonight. It will be held at 6 PM, Thursday, April 28th.