Meet TRIBA, The Roosevelt Island Business Alliance - Working To Secure Roosevelt Island Ground Lease Extension, A Mobile App For Local Attractions And Fundraising For Local Organizations

The Roosevelt Island Business Alliance (TRIBA), was formed in 2023 to represent the local business community and make a positive impact for the entire Roosevelt Island Community (for disclosure purposes, I am a member and helped to form TRIBA).

During the January 6, 2025 Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Committee meeting, TRIBA President Skip Hartman, the owner of the Roosevelt Island Racquet Club described the mission and project initiatives undertaken by TRIBA.

Mr Hartman reported that TRIBA's initial focus has been on three items:

1. The Roosevelt Island ground lease extension between New York City and NY State,
2. A mobile marketing app to improve visitors experience and public understanding of Roosevelt Island businesses and attractions as well as
3. A community engagement event to fundraise for Roosevelt Island non-profits and TRIBA projects.

Image From October 23, 2024 TRIBA Awards Gala 

Here's the full TRIBA presentation by Mr Hartman.

 

Mr Hartman reported that approximately $60 thousand was netted and awarded to these 17 Roosevelt Island organizations 

from the October 23, 2024 TRIBA Awards Ceremony Gala Dinner.

The TRIBA Awards Ceremony Gala Dinner honored Roosevelt Island residents:

• Nancy Brown for her lifetime work on behalf of the disabled community,
• Sonal Bhatia for her work identifying and developing cures for rare diseases and
• Red Apple/Foodtown for its business commitment to Roosevelt Island

and was attended by over 200 people at The Sanctuary events space with resident Jim Luce acting as the Master of Ceremonies and Sanctuary owner Frank Raffaele introducing the evening's festivities.

It was a wonderful evening. Here's some of what happened.

Current TRIBA members are:

TRIBA has two categories of voting memberships:

1. those with leases of 20 years or more (annual membership is $3 Thousand) and
2. those with leases of 5 years or more (annual membership is $1 Thousand).

There is also a TRIBA non voting Associate Membership (annual membership is $1 Hundred).

Mr Hartman adds: 

... we welcome the involvement of individuals. They don't have to be businesses. If we have a project that requires the help of people who are not members we will be reaching out to them...

TRIBA is holding it's next meeting tomorrow, February 18. Please contact Skip Hartman if you are interested in learning more about TRIBA or joining.

Roosevelt Island Tram Boarding Priority, Platform Operations, New Red Bus In Service And RI Business Alliance Among Topics Discussed At Last Night Community Board 8 Committee Meeting - Watch The Very Interesting Video Of What Happened

The Community Board 8 (CB 8) Roosevelt Island (RI) and Transportation Committees held a very informative joint meeting via Zoom last evening hosted by RI Committee Chair Paul Krikler. Here's a brief summary.

The meeting began with Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Communications Director Bryant Daniels reporting:

• One of the 2 new Red Buses will be in service later this week and the second bus in service not long afterwards,
• Due to the long lines at the Roosevelt Island Tram, Public Safety Officers will be stationed at the Roosevelt Island station during the morning rush hours and at the Manhattan Station during the evening rush hour.
• RIOC is going to work to reduce the number of people standing on the Tram Platform,
• Priority Seating Signage for older adults and disabled people will be placed on the windows above the seats in both Tram Cabin 
• RIOC is testing faster speeds for the Tram schedule. Approval by Department of Labor is necessary before any changes to the Tram speed can be made.

A report on upcoming events at the Roosevelt Island Library Branch Manager Brandon Korosh.

Skip Hartman of The Roosevelt Island Business Alliance (TRIBA) spoke about the mission of the group including:

• Working on an extension of the Master Lease between NY State and NY City
• Developing and funding a new visitors app
• Holding an awards dinner honoring community members and
• Raising and donating funds to local Roosevelt Island groups

And a robust discussion about a resolution to approve resident and workers boarding priority on the Roosevelt Island Tram. The resolution passed by a vote of 4 to 1 and will be voted on by the full Community Board 8 at the January 15 meeting.

Here's is video last night's

very interesting meeting.

Resolution Supporting Priority Roosevelt Island Tram Boarding For Residents/Workers And Roosevelt Island Business Alliance Update On Agenda For Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Committee Virtual Meeting January 6 - Get Your Stickers Supporting Tram Priority Boarding

You're invited to attend the the Monday January 6 Manhattan Community Board 8 (CB 8) Roosevelt Island Committee meeting via Zoom starting at 6:30 PM.

Here's the full Agenda for tomorrow's CB 8 Roosevelt Island committee meeting.

According to CB 8 Roosevelt Island Committee Chair Paul Krikler:

Please join us for the next CB8RI meeting this coming Monday (1/6) at 630pm on Zoom. In addition to our usual updates (RIOC, Library and Community) we will be joined by Skip Hartman to tell us about The Roosevelt Island Business Alliance (TRBA).

We will also be discussing a resolution regarding priority boarding of the tram (see link to resolution). Resolutions are discussed at Committee first and then taken to the Full Board (Jan 15)

Come and voice your support.

Here is the proposed resolution.

2411 people have signed the Trampled By Tourists, Priority Boarding for Residents and Workers on the Roosevelt Island Tram petition.

Stickers have been created to show support for Roosevelt Island residents and workers Tram Boarding priority.

Supporters are encouraged to:

Stick them around the Tram Station to raise awareness and remind tourists to prioritize locals.

The Stickers are available at Island Discount store (563 Main Street) until tomorrow evening. 

Here's a July 2023 interview with three of the founding Directors of the The Roosevelt Island Business Alliance, Skip Hartman of the Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, David Kramer of the Hudson Companies and Frank (Turtle) Raffaele of The Sanctuary. 

Current members of TRIBA are:

Contact Skip Hartman if you're interested in more info about TRIBA.

Click here to attend tomorrow's CB 8 Roosevelt Island committee meeting via zoom.

The Roosevelt Island Business Alliance (TRIBA) 1st Annual Merit Awards Fundraising Gala October 23 Honoring Nancy Brown, Sonal Bhatia & Red Apple Group/Foodtown For Outstanding Community Achievement, Commitment And Impact - All Proceeds Will Go To Local Non Profits And TRIBA Community Projects

The Roosevelt Island Business Alliance (TRIBA), was formed in 2023 to represent the local business community and make a positive impact for the entire Roosevelt Island Community (for disclosure purposes, I am a member and helped to form TRIBA).

According to TRIBA:

Welcome to the TRIBA Merit Awards! Join us for a night of celebration and recognition on October 23, 2024 at The Sanctuary Roosevelt Island. Get ready to honor outstanding individuals in our community who have made a significant impact: Sonal Bhatia, Nancy Brown, and Red Apple Group/Foodtown. Dress to impress and be prepared for an unforgettable evening filled with music, food, and inspiring stories. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to come together and show appreciation for those who go above and beyond.

Sonal Bhatia: A longtime resident of Roosevelt Island, Sonal Bhatia is currently Senior Vice President, Head of Medical Affairs, Specialty Care at Pfizer. Dr. Bhatia is passionate about finding solutions for patients on a large scale in partnership with innovative science and new technology to ensure access to new medicines for patients.

Dr. Bhatia is actively involved with non-profit organizations focused on reducing healthcare disparities, access to cardiovascular health, healthy living and being a catalyst for change in women’s health. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association (AHA) and is on the Executive Leadership Board for AHA Go Red for Women.

Nancy Brown: Nancy Brown’s work on behalf of the disabled in New York City is legendary. Disabled herself since the age of 7, now 83, she is a longtime Island resident who remains active in her motorized chair with a ventilator. She has successfully advocated for public policies that educated and addressed the challenges faced by disabled persons.

She championed the FDR Hope Memorial, helping to raise funds for the Southpoint Park statue of President Roosevelt sitting in his wheelchair with another disabled young person. She has been the forever Vice President of the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association that provides trips, other social activities, and a food pantry that serve the disabled, the poor, and the elderly.

Red Apple Group/ Foodtown

John Catsimatidis, Jr. President/Red Apple Group

Joe Parisi President/Foodtown

Foodtown Supermarkets, converted from a Gristedes Supermarkets store on February 7, 2020, has been a vital part of the Roosevelt Island community since 1976. Over the years, the store has undergone multiple renovations to serve the community better, continually improving its offerings and facilities.

Foodtown at Roosevelt Island provides approximately 100 jobs, playing a key role in the local economy. Foodtown remains dedicated to providing quality groceries and essential services, supporting the island’s residents for nearly five decades.

All proceeds will go to Roosevelt Island non profit organizations and TRIBA's special projects that contribute to the vitality and quality of life on the Island.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Here's a July 2023 interview with three of the founding Directors of the The Roosevelt Island Business Alliance, Skip Hartman of the Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, David Kramer of the Hudson Companies and Frank (Turtle) Raffaele of The Sanctuary. 

Current members of TRIBA are:

Contact Skip Hartman if you're interested in more info about TRIBA and the October 23 Merit Awards Gala.