What Do Residents Think About Roosevelt Island Historic Sites Preservation - Is It Important To You, Please Take The Survey And Give Your Thoughts

A Barnard College student is writing her Senior Thesis about:

Resident Interaction with Historic Preservation: A Case Study of Roosevelt Island, NY

and asks for your help by filling out this survey.

My name is Emma Brody and I am a student at Barnard College writing my senior thesis about historic preservation on Roosevelt Island. The purpose of this survey is to determine how Roosevelt Island residents interact with historically preserved sites on the Island in their everyday life. I greatly appreciate your participation.

Data will be collected anonymously and no identifying information will be collected. Participation is voluntary and you may refuse to participate or stop participating at any time. There are no expected risks to the participant for completing this survey.

This survey is open to adults age 18 and older.

This survey is expected to take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. If you have any questions about this survey please contact Emma Brody at ekb2149@barnard.edu.

Survey questions include:

Take the Survey here.

Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy discusses the history of Roosevelt Island and landmark buildings



in this 2017 interview on CB 8 Speaks. Also, in 2017, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer expressed support for



preserving the Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital 



 and not tearing it down.

Tqke the Roosevelt Island Historic Sites Preservation Survey.

RIOC Seeking Your Opinion For Use Of Outdoor Open Space Adjacent to New Roosevelt Island Public Library - Take The Survey To Tell RIOC What You Want

On a very cold January 12 Saturday morning a small group of residents met with Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal, other RIOC staff and designers

to discuss ideas for use of the outdoor space next to the new Roosevelt Island Public Library

that will be located at 504 Main Street.

RIOC is seeking your opinion as well. According to RIOC:

On Saturday January 12th, RIOC and the designers of the Blackwell Park renovation project met with community members to discuss the use of the open outdoor area adjacent to the Roosevelt Island branch New York Public Library (NYPL). Larger programmatic ideas for the space were discussed in the meeting. We are encouraging all members of the community who were not able to participate to use the following link to provide their input: www.surveymonkey.com/r/JLQY3NS

A physical copy of the survey will also be distributed to building managers.

The deadline to participate in the survey is Wednesday, February 13th.

The Survey asks:

1. What is your preference for the type of use and accommodation at the library plaza?

2. What is your preference for the activity level the library plaza?

3. What is your preferred seating at the library plaza?

Click here to take the Survey and post your opinion below in comment section.

The new Roosevelt Island Public Library is scheduled to open by end of this year.

Take The Roosevelt Island Sportspark Survey - RIOC Seeking Your Ideas For Future Programs And Amenities Residents Want For Sportspark

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) is seeking your ideas for future programming at the Sportspark facility.

Sportspark Image From Google Maps

According to RIOC:

Please take a few minutes to provide feedback to help guide the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) meet the needs of current and future users of the Sportspark facility. Your comments will also identify new ideas and opportunities for programming and amenities. Once the survey is completed, please leave your email address in the space indicated to enter into a drawing for a chance to win a FREE 6-month pool membership at Sportspark!

Click here to begin the survey.

Thank you!

RIOC adds:

Sportspark, located at 250 Main Street, is a 107,000 sq. ft. indoor athletic facility equipped with a pool, gymnasium, several multipurpose rooms and changing room areas. The facility offers multiple indoor athletic and general fitness opportunities for all ages throughout the year.

Click here to take the Sportspark survey.

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Island Services Committee (ISC) recently completed a 22 page report on the current condition of the Sportspark Facility. According to the ISC:

... This report will be sent to the appropriate people at RIOC for their review. Then we will schedule a meeting with RIOC’s Director of Parks & Recreation and the Sportspark staff to discuss how and when RIOC will address the facilities deficiencies. We hope we can hold the meeting before the end of November....

The ISC also reported that Cornell Tech students are working on a Sportspark report. The ISC adds that the Cornell Tech:

... Sportspark Team is looking into the future of Sportspark facilities and programs and ISC is working fix the present problems with the facility and programs. These efforts compliment each other.

Here's a 2015 report about what was then RIOC's ambitious plan for the future of Sportspark.

What Programs And Services Do Roosevelt Island Senior Citizens Want Provided By Carter Burden Center For The Aging - Fill Out Survey And Tell Them, General Meeting On Friday July 29

As previously reported, the Carter Burden Center for the Aging took over sponsorship of the Roosevelt Island Senior Center on July 1.  

We are pleased to welcome our new program effective July 1st. #CBCA #seniorcenter #rooseveltisland pic.twitter.com/JvsOaEb9Kt

— Carter Burden Center (@BurdenCenter) July 1, 2016

 Image Of Roosevelt Island Senior Center July 4 Celebration

Lisa Fernandez is the the new Director of the Roosevelt Island Senior Center. Ms. Fernandez reports:

... the first General Member Meeting of the Roosevelt Island Senior Center: A Program of the Carter Burden Center for the Aging will be held on Friday, July 29th at 12:30pm at the Senior Center, 546 Main Street. William Dionne, Executive Director, will attend and provide updates on learning from our first month as the new sponsor of the Senior Center and initial results from the member survey.

Roosevelt Island Senior Center members are invited to attend the meeting.

The Roosevelt Island Senior Center asks Seniors to tell them what type of programs and services they want. Print out and answer the survey below to tell them. Then bring the completed survey to the Senior Center or pick up a survey at the Senior Center to answer the questions..

Some Roosevelt Island Seniors have expressed concerns regarding the Carter Burden Center taking over management of the Senior Center.

Vicki Feinmel commented:

I agree that changes needed to be made to the Senior Center to become a more vibrant Center for all. But what people don't realize is how important the exercise classes are to those who have been attending for many years. The first thing that Carter
Burden did was reduce the salaries of our well deserved instructors who earned every cent. We lost 2 of our instructors due to this. Why change what works, just enhance.

As much as I appreciate Assembly Member Seawright, trying to help, by coming through with additional funding, it will not be going to the teachers that we lost. It will go to what Carter Burden wants and not necessarily for the things that the people who use the center want.

Perdida Miranda adds:

I agree wholeheartedly VICKI

Carter burden is here to serve the seniors not the other way around.

Those who do not use the teachers services cannot comprehend what a loss it is to not have doctorate level and PHD level exercise instructors to help seniors with their physical exercise needs.

I lost over 20 lbs thanks to Rob and Ivete as well as being in remission for asthma thanks to those two fabulous teachers

Other Roosevelt Island seniors support the Carter Burden Center.

According to Judy Berdy:

I am thrilled that Carter Burden has taken over management and operations of the Senior Center. For years the center management did not have a welcoming environment. Since the DFDA came in last May and Carter Burden last week, the staff is open and welcoming. WIth the support of the community our center can become a showplace and welcoming.

The petty squabbles of the last few weeks hopefully have ended and a new leaf has been turned over.

It is time for all island organizations to work with the Carter Burden staff to offer programming, volunteers and enrichment programs for all members.

and Lynn Boston:

... it seems a lot went on with our old senior center. It is great to see a fresh new start,

Change is always hard, but I think if the community works with CBC, we will all find great services with them.

I have heard that they are looking to cook meals eventually instead of the unhealthy meals that have been served for years.

I have looked at their website also and am very impressed... I think we as a community need to welcome them and work with them instead of presenting them with all of the negativity that has been created.

CBC is in charge of the center and it seems like people don't to want to accept that! There are many organizations and committees on the island that are supporting them and wanting to work alongside them not to be in competition with them..

Out with the old...in with the new!!! Time to turn over a new chapter...Things can only get better....

More on the Carter Burden Center sponsorship of Roosevelt Island Seniors Center at prior post.

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.

Final Month To Answer Roosevelt Island Residents Association Community Survey Questions - What Needs To Be Done To Make Roosevelt Island The Best It Can Be!!!

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Community Polling Chair Adib Mansour reports:

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association Survey is entering its fifth and final month. We received hundreds of entries with many suggestions to ameliorate our standards of living. We’ve also learned a lot about issues that matter to all of us, including building maintenance, filth and roaches in hallways, contaminated water, as well as concerns over the lack of stores on Main Street, and other issues. Most disturbing is the fact that many people are in need of food on a daily basis.

Alas, the survey will close by Wednesday, May 25th. Thank you to everyone who shared their views.

RIRA invites all the residents who have not yet participated to complete the online survey at www.RIRAonline.com/survey, or get a printed ballot at the Public Safety lobby where they may deposit the completed survey in the large red box.

Let’s Make Roosevelt Island The Best It Can Be!

Please contact Adib Mansour at riradib@earthlink.net with any questions.

Click here to take the Roosevelt Island Community Survey.

Please Answer Roosevelt Island Residents Association Community Survey Questions - Help Set Priorities For Roosevelt Island Advocacy, Resolution & Make A Difference

 Image From RIRA 2016 Community Polling Survey

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Community Polling Chair Adib Mansour reports:

Dear friends,

RIRA SURVEY & SWEEPSTAKES:

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) invites all island residents to complete a survey online: www.RIRAonline.com/survey.

All responses will be entered in a sweepstakes. Three winners will be selected at random and each will receive one $10 gift card for one of the following Roosevelt Island establishments: Main Street Sweets, Piccolo Trattoria or Starbucks. One entry per person.

If you have not done so yet, the survey takes less than three minutes to complete and can be taken online, on your smart phone or tablet. All adult (and young adults) residents are eligible. Printed ballots are also available at the Public Safety Office (550 Main Street) and the Public Library (524 Main Street). Please deposit completed surveys in the ballot box at the Public Safety Office.

Based on your responses, RIRA (consisting of residents elected by you to represent our community) will set priorities for advocacy and resolution. Your survey will make a difference.

Let’s make Roosevelt Island the best it can be! 

Mr. Mansour adds:

This survey is an important tool for reaching out to neighbors, to assess a wide range of issues and obtain meaningful, actionable feedback. It will help RIRA gather data to identify areas of future action. The process will help us understand the demographics of our island, and the programs of possible interest to residents.

The RIRA Survey addresses aspects of life on Roosevelt Island, including:

• Building Specifics, such as safety, vandalism, maintenance, and Public Safety Department vertical patrols;
• General Island issues including traffic, pot holes on Main Street, variety of stores/merchants, parking, signage, and accessibility;
• Public Safety and the changes since Chief McManus implemented reforms requested by residents;
• Motorgate issues, including elevator malfunction, lighting, safety, accessibility, cement dripping and management;
• Health Concerns such as air quality, cleanliness of drinking water, and free CPR lessons from RIRA experts;
• Transportation issues connected to the tram, red busses, and subway;
• Engagement with Young Adults and whether the community is addressing their needs;
• Helix Ramp and safety for bikers, plus adequate signage;
• Seniors and adequate services.

I completed the @riraonline survey in 3 minutes to share my ideas about #RooseveltIsland quality of life issues. https://t.co/9ZdJtno37M

— Janet L. Falk (@JanetLFalk) January 24, 2016

Please click here to answer the Roosevelt Island Survey.

The RIRA monthly Common Council meeting is Wednesday March 2 at Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street) 8 PM. The public is always invited and encouraged to attend.

Please Answer Roosevelt Island Residents Association Community Survey Questions - Help Provide A Snapshot Of Life On Roosevelt Island

I completed the @riraonline survey in 3 minutes to share my ideas about #RooseveltIsland quality of life issues. https://t.co/9ZdJtno37M

— Janet L. Falk (@JanetLFalk) January 24, 2016

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Community Polling Chair Adib Mansour reports:

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association announces the launch of a comprehensive survey that will take a snapshot of residents’ life on the island.

This survey is an important tool for reaching out to neighbors, to assess a wide range of issues and obtain meaningful, actionable feedback. It will help RIRA gather data to identify areas of future action. The process will help us understand the demographics of our island, and the programs of possible interest to residents.

The RIRA Survey addresses aspects of life on Roosevelt Island, including:

• Building Specifics, such as safety, vandalism, maintenance, and Public Safety Department vertical patrols;
• General Island issues including traffic, pot holes on Main Street, variety of stores/merchants, parking, signage, and accessibility;
• Public Safety and the changes since Chief McManus implemented reforms requested by residents;
• Motorgate issues, including elevator malfunction, lighting, safety, accessibility, cement dripping and management;
• Health Concerns such as air quality, cleanliness of drinking water, and free CPR lessons from RIRA experts;
• Transportation issues connected to the tram, red busses, and subway;
• Engagement with Young Adults and whether the community is addressing their needs;
• Helix Ramp and safety for bikers, plus adequate signage;
• Seniors and adequate services.

The Survey is easy to read. It may be completed in less than 3 minutes. RIRA wishes to reach EVERYONE on the Island. For this comprehensive survey to work, we must hear from all the residents in all the buildings. Everyone can participate using their own email address. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to participate in the Survey.

Printed surveys will be available at the Public Safety Office and the Public Library. In addition, volunteers will be at the Public Library with a computer station to help residents complete the survey online (times to be posted at the Public Library). We will endeavor to provide translation service at no cost whenever possible.

The URL for the survey is:
www.RIRAonline.com/survey

Please complete the Survey before Friday, February 12, 2016.

RIRA will announce the Survey results at the Common Council meeting on Wednesday, March 2, 2016. We will work closely with RIOC and local elected officials to resolve the issues that are the highest priority.

For additional information, contact Adib Mansour at RIRAdib@earthlink.net

Please click here to answer the Roosevelt Island Survey.

You're Invited To Bike New York Roosevelt Island Building x Building Info Initiative Tuesday And Wednesday This Week - Learn About Bike NY's Free Roosevelt Island Programs And Take Bicycle Transportation Survey

Bike New York's Roosevelt Island Community Outreach Manager Caitlin Goodspeed reports:

Image Of Bike NY Roosevelt Island Sportspark Class From Caitlin Goodspeed

We have two presentations happening this week that are open to the public

Join Bike New York for a short presentation about our FREE bicycle education classes, programs, and events on Roosevelt Island. You'll learn more about our organization, how you can get involved, and what you can look forward to this summer. We'll also share some important bike safety tips! We'll have light refreshments and free giveaways, too!

Roosevelt Island Senior Center (546 Main)
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
7:30pm

4 River Road Community Room
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
7:30pm

These presentations are part of the BuildingxBuilding Initiative, a Bike New York effort to get more Roosevelt Island residents involved with our free bicycle education classes and programming as participants, volunteers, and paid instructors.

Bike NY previously reported:

Here are our upcoming classes on Roosevelt Island:

Wednesday, March 25: Bike Commuting 101, 6:30pm - 8pm (Sportspark Lounge)
Tuesday, March 31: Learn to Ride - Adults, 10am-12pm, 1pm-3pm (Sportspark Gym)
Sunday, April 12: Learn to Ride - Kids, 1pm - 3pm (Sportspark Outside BB Court)
Wednesday, April 22: Street Skills Class, 6:30pm - 8pm (Sportspark Lounge)
Saturday, May 9: Street Skills Ride, 10am - 1pm (Meet at Sportspark)
Sunday, May 17: Kids' Bicycling Basics, 10am - 1pm (Capobianco Field)
Saturday, May 30: Learn to Ride - Kids, 11am - 1pm (Capobianco Field)
Sunday, June 14: Learn to Ride - Kids, 10am - 12pm (Sportspark Outside BB Court)
Sunday, June 21: Kids' Bicycling Basics, 10am - 1pm (Capobianco Field)

We want to hear from you about transportation on Roosevelt Island! What changes do you want to see? Do you feel comfortable riding a bicycle on the island? Where would you like to see more bike racks? Please let us know what you think by taking our survey. It will take no more than 10 minutes and we would really appreciate it. To access the survey, please click here.

More information available at the Bike NY Roosevelt Island Blog or contact Community Manager Caitlin Goodspeed.

Roosevelt Island Bike New York Commuting Class Wednesday March 25 - Also, Roosevelt Island Bike NY Spring Kickoff Party, Upcoming Classes & Transportation Survey

 Image From Bike NY

Bike New York's Roosevelt Island Community Outreach Manager Caitlin Goodspeed reports:

Learn how to commute via bike! Bike New York will host a Bike Commuting 101 class at Sportspark Lounge on Wednesday, March 25th from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm.

In this 1.5-hour presentation & discussion, we’ll go over picking the right bike, what to wear so you don’t arrive at work a sweaty mess, what kind of gear you’ll need to haul a change of clothes or ride at night, how and where to lock your bike, and much more.

For more information and to register, please email our Community Outreach Manager, Caitlin Goodspeed, at cgoodspeed@bike.nyc or call 212-870-2075.

Also at the end of this month we are launching our BuildingxBuilding Initiative, a series of presentations designed to introduce people to Bike New York and all of the wonderful opportunities that we have here on the island. Attendees will also learn important bike safety tips. Light refreshments will be served and along with some fun prizes! Residents should look for flyers in their residence buildings for more information.

We're also in the midst of planning our 2nd Annual Spring Kickoff Party which will happen at the Capobianco basketball court on Saturday, May 30, 2015. The pop-up bike shop will be back for the event along with the bike decorating station, free bike raffle, Bike Guard program, and more!

In addition to our normal schedule of classes at Sportspark and Capobianco basketball court, we've got some new classes on the horizon for kids and families. These classes have been designed to meet the needs of the Roosevelt Island community, a place where growing families are planting their roots.

Learn how to ride a bike before summer arrives! We have FREE bicycle education classes at Sportspark and Capobianco Field throughout the year. From learning how to ride a bike to becoming a confident city cyclist, we offer classes for people of all ages and skill levels. Please visit our website to register for classes and get more information.

Here are our upcoming classes on Roosevelt Island:

Wednesday, March 25: Bike Commuting 101, 6:30pm - 8pm (Sportspark Lounge)
Tuesday, March 31: Learn to Ride - Adults, 10am-12pm, 1pm-3pm (Sportspark Gym)
Sunday, April 12: Learn to Ride - Kids, 1pm - 3pm (Sportspark Outside BB Court)
Wednesday, April 22: Street Skills Class, 6:30pm - 8pm (Sportspark Lounge)
Saturday, May 9: Street Skills Ride, 10am - 1pm (Meet at Sportspark)
Sunday, May 17: Kids' Bicycling Basics, 10am - 1pm (Capobianco Field)
Saturday, May 30: Learn to Ride - Kids, 11am - 1pm (Capobianco Field)
Sunday, June 14: Learn to Ride - Kids, 10am - 12pm (Sportspark Outside BB Court)
Sunday, June 21: Kids' Bicycling Basics, 10am - 1pm (Capobianco Field)

We want to hear from you about transportation on Roosevelt Island! What changes do you want to see? Do you feel comfortable riding a bicycle on the island? Where would you like to see more bike racks? Please let us know what you think by taking our survey. It will take no more than 10 minutes and we would really appreciate it. To access the survey, please click here.

More information available at the Bike NY Roosevelt Island Blog or contact Community Manager Caitlin Goodspeed.

Take The Roosevelt Island Columbia University Graduate Architecture School Survey - What's Your Favorite/Least Favorite Place, What's Working, What Can Be Improved And What Do You Think About Cornell

Marena Wisniewski is a student at Columbia's Graduate School Of Architecture. I met her earlier this week at Starbucks and had a brief conversation about Roosevelt Island. Ms Wisniewski reports:

We are currently in the middle of trying to gather responses to a quick poll about the island, similar to the questions I asked you at Starbucks. However, as fun as it would be to ride the tram all day asking people questions(which I did on Monday morning) it's not very effective.

Ms. Wisniewski adds:

We are first years in Columbia's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation in the Historic Preservation Program. As part of the curriculum, we are assigned an area in New York City to research and come up with some idea of what preservation means to that specific place.

For our group, we have decided to craft a preservation plan for the island, and believe that resident input is of critical importance. The responses will be used to help evaluate significance of the buildings on the island, and what perhaps should be pointed out as historically significant, or what kinds of transportation/infrastructure could be employed to make the lives of RI's citizens better. Citizen input is really going to influence how we will proceed with a plan, and what sort of things we will include in it.

We would really love to hear just exactly what islanders want for the future of their island.

Please click here to take the survey.

Image Of Roosevelt Island Columbia Student Survey

Previous Roosevelt Island academic studies were done by Hunter College, Cornell University and Columbia University.

Please Take the Survey.

Take The Roosevelt Island Temporary Ferry Tram Outage Survey - Will You Use This Ferry Service Option During Morning Commute?

You Tube Video of NY Water Taxi leaving Fulton Landing underneath the Brooklyn Bridge

Here's the latest on RIOC's proposed plan for temporary morning rush hour ferry service during the Roosevelt Island Tram outage scheduled to begin March 1 2010 from RIOC President Steve Shane's January 11 President's Report (Item 5):

... It appears that a temporary service from the East channel oil dock during the Tram outage is possible, although usage and cost remain big questions. If all the morning rush hour Tram commuters (say 500 per hour between 7:30 and 9 AM) opt for ferry service to 35th street and are willing to pay for a 2 fare zone (say at $3 for the ferry ride including a bus up 1st Avenue, across 57th Street and back down 2nd Avenue connecting to other bus and subway lines), then it is projected as a breakeven. Less than such participation will require a substantial subsidy, presumably from RIOC, estimated to be on the order of $100,000 for the 6 months of the Tram shutdown. A survey will be conducted of Tram riders (by distribution on the Tram and published on our website) to try to ascertain interest. NYC EDC is participating in the discussions, but has not agreed to take up any of the financial burden. Stay tuned...

More information on the survey seeking information on passenger interest for temporary Roosevelt Island Ferry Service from RIOC:

Please be advised that the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation will be conducting a Ferry Service Survey to solicit information about passenger interest in such a service during the scheduled Tramway renovation project.

The survey will be distributed at both Tramway stations beginning on Monday, January 18th, it is also attached to this email in PDF format and is available online immediately at http://www.rioc.ny.gov

The survey responses will be collected until January 31st at 5pm. Hard copy responses should be returned to either the Public Safety Department or the survey boxes at the Tram Stations.

Thank you for your participation in the survey.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

RIOC Officials Waving Hello or Goodbye To NY Water Taxi Ferry From Oil Dock

The survey is below. Please click here to take the survey online.

Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation
**Ferry Service Survey**

January 2010

Dear Morning Tram Commuter:

The Roosevelt Island Tram is expected to be out of service for extensive renovation from March 1, 2010 through August 31, 2010. To better serve you, we are researching transportation options in addition to the F train and red bus shuttle service. Red bus service will be running every 1/2 hour to the E,G,R & V subway stop at Queens Plaza during rush hours and to 2nd Ave. and 58th Streets during non-rush hour periods. Having met with ferry service providers, maritime engineers and the City agency overseeing expansion of ferry service, the one additional option which may be feasible on a temporary basis until the Tram is back in service is a ferry from the East side of Roosevelt Island (dock behind the steam plant) to the East 35th Street Ferry Terminal. The vendor has proposed environmentally friendly vessels which have been specifically designed for passenger comfort including upholstered seating and restrooms. Service would be Monday- Friday from 7:30 AM to 9 AM, leaving every 1/2 hour. The one-way travel time will be 10-minutes. In order to determine whether the service will be economically viable, the vendor has asked us to conduct this survey.

Please assist us in judging your interest in using a privately operated ferry service by filling out the following survey:


1. How many weekday mornings do you use the Tram? (only count departures from RI) ______ /week.

2. What is your final destination in Manhattan? ________________________
(Provide nearest cross streets, e.g. 42nd St and 7th Ave.)

3. Would you use morning rush hour ferry service to East 35th Street during the Tram renovations? Y___ N___.
a. If yes, would you be willing to pay $3 for a one way ferry ticket? Y ___ N___.
b. Would you be willing to pay more than $3 for a one way ticket? Y___ N ___.
c. If no, would a cross-town bus from the 35th St. ferry landing change your mind?
The proposed bus route would be: depart 35th Street and head north on 1st Avenue, turn west on 57th Street, turn
south on 2nd Avenue, turn east on 34th Street for return to ferry terminal.
___Yes, the bus transportation would change your mind.
___No, I would not use the ferry service.

4. If the bus link would change your mind, would you be willing to pay an additional $2 for the bus service? Y___ N___.

5. How many days would you take the morning rush hour ferry ______ /week?

6. If the ferry service does not appeal to you, please tell us why. (Check all that apply)
___Location/route not convenient, ___Schedule not convenient, ___Don’t want to transfer,
___Lack of comfortable waiting area, ___Too Expensive.

Please complete and return this survey to the Public Safety Department (550 Main Street), or to the survey box at the Tram stations. All surveys must be returned by January 31, 2010 at 5PM, to be considered. You can also complete this survey by visiting the following website: http://rioc.ny.gov. Thank you.

Please let me know if you fill out the survey and what you think of the proposed idea.

Take The Roosevelt Island Main Street Retail Survey and Tell Us What You Want

A reader suggested posting online the Main Street Retail Survey that was distributed in a recent issue of the Main Street WIRE. Just click on the images below, print out the two pages, fill them out and drop them off in the Survey box in your building lobby or at the Public Safety Office by May 22.





The Real Estate Committee of the Roosevelt Island Board of Directors met last Tuesday and discussed issues regarding the proposed Master Lease for Main Street retail space as well as the situation concerning some of the retail tenants that are in arrears. RIOC has made the web cast of the meeting available.

Will have much more on these issues soon.

Roosevelt Island Issues & Comments Map-Add Your Voice to Roosevelt Island Survey

Image of Roosevelt Island Comment Map from Access RI

The Hunter College Access RI team studying Roosevelt Island created this very cool map illustrating some of the issues concerning Roosevelt Island residents as expressed during the Open House conducted last December. Click on the image above to be able to view the full map.

Comments Placed on Roosevelt Island Map During Access RI Open House

Comments include among many others:

• Affordable Housing
• Spruce Up Main Street
• No FDR Park
• Too Much Car Traffic
• Water Kayak Access
• Dedicated Bike Lane
• Sewage problem at Westview and Manhattan Park Pool
  
• Love Greenmarket - Hate Gristedes
• Giant Bees in Summertime
• Black Mold
• Picnic Areas Packed with non RI residents
• Get Rid of Feral Cats
• Sidewalk enforcement of scooter kids
• I like it out here (Lighthouse Park)
  

Access RI is conduction an online survey of Roosevelt Island residents.

Tired of waiting for the Subway? Concerned about the quality of life on Roosevelt Island? Worried about the Tram closing? Satisfied with the shopping on Roosevelt Island?

Announcing the release of the Roosevelt Island Community Survey!

The survey covers many aspects of life on Roosevelt Island including housing, healthcare, transportation, recreation, retail and public safety. The purpose of the survey is to inform an accessibility plan that will address the major issues identified by the community.

Please participate by taking a few minutes to answer the survey questions.

Kahn Design Survey Results Are In- 83 Against, 79 Support, 11 Neutral - Update 5:30 PM - 97 Against, 94 Support, 16 Neutral

RIRA President Matt Katz explains Survey from PressHD.

This past week a second opinion survey was taken of Roosevelt Island residents views on Southpoint Park and the proposed Louis Kahn/FDR memorial. The first survey, done by the Trust for the Public Land, indicated that a majority of residents were opposed to the Kahn design for Southpoint Park but was criticized by supporters of Kahn for the alleged inadequacy of the survey. This latest survey was designed by the Roosevelt Island Resident's Association and distributed to approximately 4000 Roosevelt Island apartments in the April 12 Main Street WIRE. The survey form was to be filled out and handed back within the week.

The survey procedure was explained by RIRA President Matt Katz in the above video from Press HD. The survey is here and allowed residents three options. Vote For the Kahn design, Against the Kahn design or Neutral, which meant the respondent had no opinion or the opinion was mixed. The survey also allowed residents to express their views in greater detail by checking off a series of statements regarding their opinions on the Kahn design and adding comments.

Last night the locked ballot box was opened and the raw survey votes tabulated.


The raw votes are as follows. Of the 173 surveys filled out and handed in, 83 were against the Kahn design, 79 were for and 11 had no opinion. In Roosevelt Island's version of the media exit polls, more information will become available on why people voted the way they did when the individual surveys are evaluated for comments and the checked statements.

UPDATE - 5:45 PM: Additional ballots were found in the RIRA P.O. Box. Total number of votes now 207. From RIRA President Matt Katz:

Upon checking the RIRA PO box today, I found additional surveys. Lots. The total count is now 207 (!) with the breakdown as follows:

94 in favor, 97 opposed with 16 neutral. This doesn’t appreciably change the percentages.