RIOC Invites Roosevelt Island Residents To Join Main Street Roadway Project Working Group August 13 Meeting Via Zoom - Hear The Latest Plan And Make Recommendations About Vehicle/Pedestrian Safety And Street Signage

Last March, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced:

At the suggestion of the Roosevelt Island community, RIOC is putting together several new working advisory groups made up of island residents and RIOC personnel to discuss emergent issues on the island. These groups will offer recommendations and feedback to RIOC on some of the most pressing issues we face, from safety and transportation to economic development and capital planning....

Previous working advisory group sessions were on the Tram and Island operations.

Today RIOC announced an upcoming community working group meeting to discuss the ongoing Main Street Roadway project.

According to RIOC:

Dear Roosevelt Island Residents:

RIOC is putting together its next community working group, made up of island residents and RIOC personnel, to discuss the ongoing roadways project along Main Street.

As many have noticed, driving down Main Street is hardly a “smooth ride.” The road, which is still made up of z-bricks in large sections, is bumpy, uneven, and difficult for both motorists and pedestrians to safely navigate, especially at the crosswalks. What’s more, signage around the island can be difficult to understand in some places and contradictory in others, further compounding problems for travelers.

This working group will hear plans about ways to address the issues plaguing Main Street and offer recommendations and feedback to RIOC on managing the overall project, currently scheduled for two phases of work.

The first meeting of the roadways working group will be on Tuesday, August 13th and will meet online via Teams (no Microsoft account necessary to participate).

If you are interested in participating, please fill-out the form at this link: 

This group is a wonderful way for Roosevelt Island residents to get involved and have their ideas heard and discussed with fellow island stakeholders and RIOC.

We look forward to your participation and can’t wait to hear your feedback!

-RIOC Executive Team

During the May 22, 2024 RIOC Real Estate Advisory Developement Committee meeting, Acting Chief Operating Officer Mary Cunneen discussed the Roadway and Paved Surfaces Rehab Design Plan 

for Main Street between the Blackwell House Traffic Circle and Foodtown/Motorgate crossing.

Here's the Roadway and Paved Surfaces Rehab Design Plan  

REDAC discussion.

New RIOC Interim Leadership Team Inspects Condition Of Roosevelt Island Sidewalks And Roadways On Walk With Residents, Maintenance Team Takes Immediate Action To Implement Fixes - Residents Happy With Positive Outcome And Look Forward To Continued Community Partnership

Image From Rioc

According to a Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) (X) Tweet: 

In February, RIOC Deputy Counsel Gerrald Ellis & Acting-COO Mary Cunneen went on an island walking tour with Audrey Tannen, island resident & District Office Director for State Senator @LizKrueger , & longtime island resident Joan Brooks, to assess different areas of maintenance..

...particularly with regard to the z-bricks that line the island. RIOC’s Maintenance team then made immediate fixes across different island locations, which will reduce trip hazards and make navigating the island much easier, especially for members of the disabled community.

— Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (@RIOCny) February 27, 2024

Ms Tannen adds:

Senator Krueger has heard from many residents concerned about the condition of the sidewalks and roadways on RI. Deferred maintenance is not good for the infrastructure and, more importantly, for safety when navigating the Island. Gerald and Mary were very responsive to our request to hike the Island. We strolled from Copabianco Field to Cornell Tech-Mary was taking pictures and putting in tickets all along the way! Of course—it’s just a beginning—we must continue to report and to maintain. Please submit those repair tickets to RIOC Tikkit.

While Joan and I were happy not only by the positive response but also by the ACTIONS taken-we did express disillusionment that , although this work should have been done; it wasn’t. We’re encouraged by the positive outcome and look forward to continued partnership between RIOC, the community and our office.

Ms Tannen is correct. So far, the new interim RIOC leadership of Deputy General Counsel Gerrald Ellis and Chief Financial Officer Dhru Amin have brought a needed dose of transparency, communications and engagement to the Roosevelt Island community.

The February 15 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Development Advisory Committee discussed the issue of repaving the street and sidewalk Z-Bricks as well as repairing the dangerous street crossings and potholes.

Here's the discussion.

Also, here's more on the RIOC Tikkit system for residents and RIOC staff to report problems.

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During the January 17, 2024 RIOC Board Of Directors Operations Advisory Committee meeting, Acting Chief Operating Officer Mary Cunneen provided this presentation on the Tikkit system.

Steel Pillars Holding Up The Roosevelt Island East River Boat Prow Completely Eroded Away, Seen In Picture Only Visible At Low Tide - Is It Still Safe For Photo Ops And Weddings?

On April 12, Sven Claus reported to the Roosevelt Island Friends Facebook page:

I've noticed this morning that the steel pillars holding up the 'ship' on the west side of the island have completely eroded away.. which is only visible during low tide. It's inevitable this thing will come crashing down sooner or later.

On Monday, April 17, I asked Mr Claus if he received any response from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) about the eroding Boat Prow pillars and he replied that he had not.

Later on Monday I asked RIOC President Shelton Haynes and Communications VP Akeem Jamal

Does RIOC have any comment on the apparently unsafe conditions at the Roosevelt Island Boat Prow sticking out into the East River near The Sanctuary Events space?

No answer from RIOC to my press inquiry but Mr Claus reports yesterday that RIOC answered him with:

I did receive a message from RIOC stating they are exploring options on how to alternatively stabilize the structure since the original support has eroded away.

As reported in 2012:

... RIOC will begin a Boat Prow Restoration project to remove the graffiti from the prow and to repair eroded Corten Steel damage to the base of the Prow caused by the East River salt washing up against the prow. Mr. Martinez added that RIOC has not found any type of material that can be used to prevent graffiti from being placed on the prow so RIOC will have to be vigilant and remove the tags as soon as they are placed on the prow....

This NY Times FYI column from 2000 provides more information on Roosevelt Island's Boat Prow

which has recently become a popular wedding destination site offered by The Sanctuary events space.

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RIOC President Shelton Haynes Reports Status Of $57 Million Roosevelt Island Infrastructure Projects During RIOC Board Meeting - Sportspark Renovation, Southpoint Park Shoreline, Tram Elevator, Blackwell Park Sidewalk Pavers, Motorgate Garage, Lighthouse Tower Reconstruction Nellie Bly Girl Puzzle Monument & McManus Comfort Station

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Shelton Haynes reviewed the status of ongoing and recently completed Roosevelt Island $57 Million infrastructure projects during his President's Report to the September 29, 2021 RIOC Board of Directors meeting. 

Here's what he had to say.

 

Following general updates, 

the project discussed were:
 

7 Years After Roosevelt Island Tram Manhattan Station Elevator Project Began, The First Of Two Elevator Cabins Will Open For Service Tuesday October 12 Says RIOC

After many years of starts, stops and delays, beginning in April 2014, the first of two new cabins from the $6.8 Million Roosevelt Island Manhattan Tram Station Elevator project will  open for service tomorrow, Tuesday, October 12.

Image From September 29 RIOC Board Of Directors Meeting

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Please be advised that, due to the construction of the Manhattan Tram Elevator project, starting Tuesday, October 12th the below changes will take effect: 

• The existing operational elevator will be closed to the public 
• The south stairwell towards Tramway Plaza Park will also be closed 
• The new east elevator will be open for public use 

Kindly follow posted signage and directions from Tram personnel for the new pedestrian traffic pattern. While the overall project is still under construction, this temporary pedestrian traffic pattern change is necessary due to ongoing work required to demolish the old Tram elevator. 

Thank you for your patience.

Roosevelt Island residents have been patiently waiting since 2014.

In September 2014, then RIOC Director of Engineering Jim Mortimer reported:

... Because our efforts to solicit design/build contractors for the new elevators were unsuccessful, an RFP for the design of two new elevators has been issued. Proposals are due on 10/3/14. After the design is complete in early 2015, we will procure a contractor and construct the new elevators which will be completed in 2015....

In September 2015, former RIOC President Charlene Indelicato reported: 

... the company preparing design and construction drawings for the two new Tram Manhattan Station elevators recently went bankrupt delaying work on the project for about a month. RIOC expects a successor company to take over work on the design and construction drawings soon pending approval of the bankruptcy court and fiscal vetting by RIOC.

Ms. Indelicato anticipates the two new Roosevelt Island Manhattan Tram Station elevators to be working by Autumn of 2016.

Reported in 2019:

... The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced in April 2016, that work on the new $6.1 million Tram Elevators would begin in September/October 2016 and be completed in one year.

But work did not start until May of 2018 and then was soon halted after discovering the soil was not structurally sound for the foundation originally designed for the project....

In January 2020, RIOC announced that construction would resume on the Manhattan Tram station elevators. 

In December 2020, RIOC President Shelton Haynes reported:

... A month or two delay in Manhattan Tram Elevator project due to Covid 19 and obtaining parts from Europe...

During September 29, 2021 RIOC Board of Directors meeting, Mr Haynes gave a status report on the new Tram elevators and reported the first cabin will soon open and he added:

... the project should be completed by December of this year. It's on time and under budget....

Finally, after 7 years from it's start, the first of two Roosevelt Island Manhattan Tram Station elevator cabins will open for service tomorrow,

 

Image of GC Eng Eng & Associates Tram Station Elevator Rendering From April 12, 2016 CB 8 Preeentation

but it can hardly be called on time.

Take A Tour Of Newly Renovated Roosevelt Island Youth Center, STEM Lab, Gaming Center, Learning Kitchen, Educational Garden, Music Room, Multimedia Theater & More - Why Did RIOC Try To Block Local Media And RIRA President From The Tour?

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) hosted a tour of the newly renovated Youth Center for a select group of invited RIOC Staff, Board Directors and politicians last Saturday, April 17. 

The new Roosevelt Island Youth Center facility includes a:

• STEM Lab,
• Gaming Center,
• Learning Kitchen,
• Educational Garden
• Music Room
  
• Activity Room and
• Multimedia Theatre
  

Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos was very impressed with the new Roosevelt Island Youth Center facility, particularly the Computer Center and state of the art video gaming consoles.

Roosevelt Island’s NYC Council Member @BenKallos is impressed with newly renovated Roosevelt Island Youth Center Facility @RIOCny @RiocCeo Particularly computer center, video gaming consoles and more. pic.twitter.com/TyXzc3CgCW

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) April 17, 2021

Take a look at the Youth Center Educational Garden

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and follow along as RIOC Project Manager Michelle Edwards gives a tour of the new Roosevelt Island Youth Center.

RIOC President Shelton Haynes adds:

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And:

This afternoon, I joined @BenKallos & @RIOCCeo for the grand reopening of the newly renovated Roosevelt Island Youth Center.

As a former NYC school teacher, I know firsthand the power of education and after school programming in a child’s life.

Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/EpSyrsy9Ve

— Carolyn B. Maloney (@RepMaloney) April 17, 2021

Had a great time earlier today at the grand reopening of the newly renovated Roosevelt Island Youth Center with @RepMaloney, @RIOCCeo and many more.

Proud to welcome this safe space for our youth back into the community at a time when they need it the most! pic.twitter.com/JZ7mE1PPnF

— Ben Kallos, NYC Council Member (@BenKallos) April 17, 2021

Thank you to the Roosevelt Island Youth Center for inviting our Neighborhood Coordination Officer Chavez and our Youth Coordination Officers Monestine and Rodriguez to your grand reopening today. We look forward to working together on many future events! pic.twitter.com/7gkCxbn1Vl

— NYPD 114th Precinct (@NYPD114Pct) April 18, 2021

The RIOC Communications staff did not invite the local Roosevelt Island media to attend the tour. I happened to be walking back from the Farmers Market when I noticed Mr Kallos talking to an assembled group at the Youth Center and stopped to see what was going on. 

Upon learning that a tour of the new facility was about to begin, I asked to be included in the tour to report on the new facility for the Roosevelt Island community. The RIOC Communications staff refused my request. Mr Kallos intervened and persuaded RIOC President Haynes to allow me to report on the Youth Center tour.

Neither was Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Rossana Ceruzzi invited to the renovated Youth Center tour. When she walked by the Youth Center and asked to be included in the tour as a representative of the community, the RIOC Communications staff refused her request.

More information on the Roosevelt Island Youth Center available at RIOC website.

RIOC Approves $11 Million Renovation Of 56,000 Sq Ft Roosevelt Island Sportspark Recreation Facility Beginning This Summer, New Locker Rooms, Mechanical Equipment, Gym Flooring, Weight Room, Adminstrative Office & More - Phased Work Will Allow Pool To Stay Open For Summer, Gym Will Close

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) reported today:

Please be advised that mobilization will begin in late April for the highly anticipated renovations on the Sportspark facility. The renovations will include the installation of energy-efficient systems, the addition of a fitness center, a multi-purpose meeting and event space, as well as upgrades to the gymnasium, locker rooms, and building façade. Please note that the work will be completed in phases, with regular updates to the community on the progress of the project.

The $11 million Sportspark recreation facility

renovation plan was approved during the March 16, 2021 RIOC Board of Directors meeting (video of meeting here).  

According to this March 11 memo excerpt from Project Coordinator Michelle Edwards to RIOC President Shelton Haynes in support of the Sportspark Renovation Project award for construction to Vanguard Construction & Development Co:

Sportspark is a state-provided recreation facility that serves Roosevelt Island and the community. The Sportspark Building consists of two floors and is approximately 56,000 gross square feet. After 40 years of use, the facility is in need of infrastructure and general renovations to accommodate current and future programming and operational needs. 

The Sportspark Renovation project entails demolition and removal of existing mechanical, electric, and plumbing (“MEP”) infrastructure serving the East and West portion of the facility; and the installation of two new HVAC units and new ductwork in the Eastside pool area. In addition to this, installation air handling units will also be installed, as well as unit heaters, among other renovations on the east and west side locker rooms. Steel dunnage will be done for HVAC on the roof; and upgrades to the fire alarm, and a BMS system, will also be installed in the facility. 

For Sportspark, architectural upgrades include reconfiguring locker rooms, upgrades to finishes, and new light fixtures on the East and West Side. Work on the Westside consists of a new administration office, new reception area, new weight room, a renovated multipurpose room for the second floor, and new gym flooring. Finally, upgrades will be made to the main Westside entrance with a new curtain wall and exterior cladding with “Sportspark” signage....

And:

... RIOC Capital Planning and Projects recommends – subject to the satisfaction of all contracting requirements, that the Board of Directors authorize and approve entering into contract with Vanguard Construction & Development Co., Inc. for providing construction services for the Sportspark Renovation Multiphase Project for a total amount of $ 9,931,152.00 with a 20% contingency of $1,986,230.40, bringing the total authorized not-to exceed amount to $11,917,382.40.

RIOC Chief Financial Officer John O'Reilly reported to the RIOC Board Directors during the March 16 meeting that the Sportspark renovation work timeline will be done is separate phases starting from the west side of the building beginning with the lobby and then to the east side pool. The Gym will close for the summer and reopen in September.The Sportspark Pool 

will remain open throughout the summer and then close for renovation which is expected to be completed by spring 2022.

Mr O'Reilly added that a new gym floor will be placed on top of the existing gym floor instead of repairing the existing damaged floor in order to avoid:

... an environmental issue. The glue that was used to put the floor down back in the day is now no longer used because of environmental issues. So what we are going to do is similar to what we did in Southpoint Park. We're going to cap it and lay a new floor over the top of it so we don't have to take the floor up and deal with the environmental hazard of the glue issue that's on the bottom of the floor....

Here's the discussion of Sportspark

RIOC Board Meeting - March 16, 2021 from Diva Communications on Vimeo. 

renovation timeline.

Watch Ribbon Cutting Ceremony For Roosevelt Island's Landmarked Late 18th Century Renovated Blackwell House - Take A Virtual Tour Inside With RI Historical Society, Was That Mrs Blackwell On Porch Today Too?

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) hosted a social distancing ribbon cutting ceremony

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celebrating the completion of long awaited renovation of Roosevelt Island's late 18th, early19th century landmarked Blackwell House

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today.

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RIOC Operations Committee Reviewing Roosevelt Island Capital Projects And Audit Committee Discussing Hudson Related Retail Profit Sharing Clause At February 27 Meetings

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors Operations Advisory Committee and Audit Committee are meeting tomorrow, February 27.

According to RIOC:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Operations Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 5:00 P.M. at RIOC’s Operations Office, 680 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.

AGENDA:

Capital Projects Overview
Any Other Committee Business that May be Brought Before the Committee

You can follow the development stages of Roosevelt Island projects

Image From RIOC

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RIOC President Susan Rosenthal Reports On Roosevelt Island Infrastructure Projects - Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration Moving Forward, Tram Station Elevator Construction Begins Again, More Green Space For Lighthouse Park Expansion, No Soccer Field & More

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal provided updates on various Roosevelt Island infrastructure projects during the January 30 RIOC Board of Directors meeting including the Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration

Images from RIOC

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Long Delayed Roosevelt Island Tram Elevator Project To Resume Construction End Of October - Soil Was Not Structually Sound For Original Foundation And Time Needed For New Design And Permits Says RIOC

The man in this picture taken yesterday,

like many Roosevelt Island residents, is wondering what is going on with the long delayed Roosevelt Island Tram elevator project?

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced in April 2016, that work on the new $6.1 million Tram Elevators would begin in September/October 2016 and be completed in one year.

But work did not start until May of 2018 and then was soon halted after discovering the soil was not structurally sound for the foundation originally designed for the project.

Long delayed Roosevelt Island Tram elevator project to soon resume construction pic.twitter.com/I8Se25Iqcp

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) October 22, 2019

After changing the foundation design and obtaining new approvals from the NYC Departments of Transportation and Buildings as well as the MTA, RIOC reported during the October 15 Operations Advisory Committee meeting, that work on the 2 new Roosevelt Island Tram Elevators will begin by the end of this month, replacing the existing cramped and often broken elevator.

Here's RIOC Project Manager Prince Shah updating the RIOC Board on the Tram Elevator project.



According to Mr Shah, the the cost of the project has increased to approximately $7 million and should be completed by December 2020. Mr. Shah added that the foundation design changes will not effect anything seen above ground.

 Image of GC Eng Eng & Associates Tram Station Elevator Rendering From April 12, 2016 CB 8 Preeentation

Below is the Roosevelt Island Tram Station elevator plan presented to April 12, 2016 meeting of CB 8's Roosevelt Island Committee by GC Eng & Associates. According to the presentation. the new Roosevelt Island Tram Station will have:

• Two New Glass Elevators
• Increased User Capacity
• ADA Compliant Elevators
• Enhanced Destination Visibility
• Greater Reliability & Maintainability  
• Increased Lighting and Security
• Improved Circulation

Roosevelt Island Tram Station Elevator Presentation