Spectacular Day And Evening Views Of Manhattan & Queens Waterfront From New Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park East River Shoreline Pathways Opened Today - But Safety Issues Still Need To Be Addressed

As reported November 24:

The $11 million Roosevelt Island Shoreline renovation project to fix the crumbling Southpoint Park seawall and provide public access to previously fenced in areas adjacent to the East River will open this weekend....

Here's what the new Southpoint Park shoreline pathways 

looked like today.

Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park shoreline has new open pathway close to East River. Spectacular views but safety issues remain. @RIOCny @RiocCeo pic.twitter.com/MxwAPUqjAm

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) November 27, 2021

pic.twitter.com/hPWS1mZN7e

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) November 27, 2021

According to these comments from Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Instagram Page 

• Too many safety hazards, like too low barriers by the water, cheap plantings, sloppy work, dangerous "fences". Just a mess since all of RIOC was AWOL and didn't give a darn on the project
• The wooden benches have not been sealed and the salt air will deteriorate them. 
• It is a shame that the users will see a cheap version of the successful park like Brooklyn Bridge Park, 
• There should be a fence in this area! 
• That’s exactly what I was just telling my brother. Kids can climb on the rocks or anyone else and then fall right into the water which isn’t cool. Not sure why @rooseveltislandrioc decided this was “good”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by RI Operating Corp. (RIOC) (@rooseveltislandrioc)

Take a walk and see for yourself. It is very nice.

More video coming.

UPDATE 11/28: RIOC Public Safety Department posted signage all over Southpoint Park today advising:

No Bike Riding Allowed On Walking Path, Sidewalk and Rest Areas. Do Not Climb On Rocks.

Violators Will Be Summonsed

But bike riders rode on Southpoint Park sidewalk past Officer in a Public Safety vehicle without any warning or summons.

Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park $11 Million Shoreline Renovation Project Will Open To Public This Weekend Says RIOC President - Pedestrian Pathway Widened And Some Benches Repositioned To Face East River After Community Input

The $11 million Roosevelt Island Shoreline renovation project to fix the crumbling Southpoint Park seawall and provide public access to previously fenced in areas adjacent to the East River will open this weekend.

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Shelton Haynes announced today on his Instagram account:

... Southpoint Park Rip Rap Revetment project will be opening this weekend. This is one of those transformative projects that will truly enhance your Roosevelt Island experience. This $11million project has been completed on time and $1million under budget…. Kudos to our RIOC team and affiliates.

Today, I walked around the Southpoint Park shoreline area that is still behind fencing facing Queens
 

and Manhattan

After earlier criticism by some residents, RIOC has re-positioned some, but not all, benches to now face the East River instead of facing away as they were originally installed. 

Also, the pedestrian pathway on the Queens side appears to have been widened

by removing the sidewalk slabs of rock that were originally installed as seen below

after complaints by residents.

This is what the Southpoint Park Queens side shoreline looked like before the renovation of the area.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shelton J. Haynes RIOC CEO (@shelton_haynes_rioc_ceo)

More on the Southpoint Park shoreline renovation project, including some community opposition, at this prior post. 

UPDATE 11/26 - RIOC announced this afternoon:

Roosevelt Island community!

The Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration project is complete and will be open to the public, tomorrow, Saturday, November 27^th, at 5 PM, showcasing its two newly expanded and improved waterfront promenades.

The project, while providing enhanced scenic views in and around the park, included measures to protect 1,600 linear feet of shoreline and incorporated nearly 34,000 square feet of new, indigenous landscaping. 

Come out and enjoy spectacular city views from expanded lookout points, quiet strolls through winding pathways lined with lush vegetation, and a chance to rediscover the riverfront while relaxing on accessible seating.  

RIOC Agrees To Reposition New Southpoint Park Shoreline Benches To Face East River Waterfront View After Residents Complain Of Bizarre Placement Looking Away From Water - RIOC Appreciates And Considers Community Feedback Says Spokesperson

Reported last Monday: 

Roosevelt Island resident Matt Katz shares this message he sent today to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Shelton Haynes:

I visited Southpoint Park this past weekend and was appalled to see the new benches located on the new east promenade walk.  

They are ugly, look uncomfortable and were placed bizarrely, facing, at one point, the brick wall at Strecker Laboratory rather than the East Channel of the East River.  

Clearly, no resident, no future user of the facility, was ever included in the decision making for the project.  There are several experienced resident members of the RIOC board of directors, not to mention a Roosevelt Island Residents Association, that could have been consulted should common sense been lacking in the landscape architects hired for the project. 

It is not too late to reconsider the placement and nature of the seating and I hope RIOC will do so before the benches are, literally, set in stone. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @rooseveltislander

I asked the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) on Monday:

Why are new Southpoint Point shoreline renovations facing inside the park and not the East River?

Is there any seating facing the East River?

Will Rioc change benches so they face East River?

RIOC Public Information Officer Amy Smith replied today:

The seating design, including directional positioning, were all part of the original plan for the beautification of Southpoint Park. However, after reviewing the current layout and taking the height of protective berms into consideration, there are areas where seating can and will be repositioned or added so visitors are able to enjoy a view of Manhattan’s skyline.

As always, Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation not only appreciates but truly takes into consideration, community feedback.

Anticipated opening will be early fall. 

Visitors to the new Roosevelt Island Shoreline East Promenade pathway and seating will now be able to enjoy the Queens and Brooklyn waterfront view as shown in this early RIOC rendering of the project.

Let's see where RIOC places the seating on the Southpoint Park shoreline west promenade facing Manhattan. Here's an early rendering

of the site.

Residents Tell RIOC President They Are Appalled At New Roosevelt Island Shoreline Project Benches, Described As Ugly, Uncomfortable Looking And Bizarrely Face Away From East River - Put Them On Truck And Haul Away Says RI Historical Society President

Roosevelt Island resident Matt Katz shares this message he sent today to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Shelton Haynes:

I visited Southpoint Park this past weekend and was appalled to see the new benches located on the new east promenade walk.  

They are ugly, look uncomfortable and were placed bizarrely, facing, at one point, the brick wall at Strecker Laboratory rather than the East Channel of the East River.  

Clearly, no resident, no future user of the facility, was ever included in the decision making for the project.  There are several experienced resident members of the RIOC board of directors, not to mention a Roosevelt Island Residents Association, that could have been consulted should common sense been lacking in the landscape architects hired for the project. 

It is not too late to reconsider the placement and nature of the seating and I hope RIOC will do so before the benches are, literally, set in stone. 

I took a look today too.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @rooseveltislander

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @rooseveltislander

Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy agrees:

As I wrote in today's FROM THE ARCHIVES, the new benches at Soutpointh Park should be put on a truck and hauled away.  

The are ugly, do not sit more than one person, are too low, are not accessible to disabled. GET THEM OFF THE ISLAND, or RiOC will be the laughing stock of the City.

and adds;

... RIOC WAS LEFT ON THEIR OWN TO MESS UP SOUTHPOINT PARK. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN EVERYONE WAS SUPPOSEDLY “WORKING FROM HOME.” AN PANDEMIC OF BAD DESIGN.

I asked RIOC:

Why are new Southpoint Point shoreline renovations facing inside the park and not the East River?

Is there any seating facing the East River?

Will Rioc change benches so they face East River?

Will update if RIOC answers.

RIOC President Shelton Haynes' Executive Assistant Aida Morales replied to Mr Katz:

Thank you for reaching out. Mr. Haynes and the team will review and provide an update very soon. 

The RIOC rendering 

presented to the community for the Southpoint Park Shoreline project  had benches facing the East River.

Take A Peek At Pathway And Benches Soon To Be Ready For Visitors At New Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park East River Shoreline.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @rooseveltislander

Status Of Roosevelt Island New Tram Station Elevators, Southpoint Park Shoreline, FDR Hope And Nelly Bly Memorial Projects Among Items Discussed In RIOC President Shelton Haynes June 24 Community Report To Board Directors - Dog Run, Food Pantry, Horticultural Beautification Strategy, Road Striping And More Too

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Shelton Haynes presented his Community Report to the the June 24 RIOC Board of Directors Meeting,  

Mr Haynes began his report by congratulating Roosevelt Island resident and long time RIOC Board Director David Kraut for his 27 years on the RIOC Board and virtually presented Mr. Kraut with a plaque commemorating his service.

Here's video of the RIOC President's Report.

Mr Haynes announced upcoming Roosevelt Island Community events,

updates on a variety of issues,

closing of the Swift Covid 19 Pop Up testing site,

status of new Tram Station Elevator 

Southpoint Park Shoreline

and Nelly Bly Memorial Projects.

Also discussed in the President's report were:

RIOC Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration Project Tour Answers Questions From Assembly Member Seawright, Borough President Brewer And Residents On Crumbling Seawall, Public Access To Waterfront, Removing Trees, Soil Contamination Cat Sanctuary & More - Watch Video Of The Tour To Find Out What's Going On

This AM walkthrough of the Southpoint Park Project that I was proud to secure joined by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and resident stakeholders. RIOC commitments include walkthroughs of the project, public site and a dedicated email for neighbors. pic.twitter.com/haLqschMl0

— Rebecca Seawright (@SeawrightForNY) July 17, 2020

Last Saturday, July 17, NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Chief Financial Officer John O'Reilly together with RIOC staff joined with local residents on a tour of the Southpoint Park Restoration Project. According to Ms Seawright, the purpose of the tour was to:

... better understand and address the RI community concerns of the upcoming Southpoint Shoreline project...

As previously reported, some Roosevelt Island community members, led by the Wildlife Freedom Foundation (WFF) President Rossana Ceruzzi, vigorously oppose the Shoreline Restoration project to fix the crumbling seawall and provide greater waterfront access to the public because they claim the project will:

... destroy 325 Trees and decimate the wildlife living in the area....

RIOC answers that the Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration Project:

... preserves the natural habitat and wildlife that currently exist, while also enhancing the surrounding greenspace paths. The required work involves the removal of toxic soil that has been inundated with overgrown landfills, choked with invasive vegetation, that must be removed before the seawall can be repaired. Roughly 99 small trees (ten inches in diameter) will be removed and replaced with 79 trees. The tree removal is necessary to access the area to be remediated. In addition, 870 shrubs, 645 other indigenous plantings, and approximately 14,500 sq. ft. of new grass that will encourage more wildlife to visit the shoreline. This project must be completed in order to prevent further deterioration of the seawall due to the ever-increasing impacts of climate change....

... Due to community concerns of the project’s potential effects on local flora and fauna, we are pushing the start date back. In the interim, RIOC will provide the community with regular updates on the project through meetings, press releases, its website and social media....

Here's portion of the Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration Project tour.

Part 1 - Questions raised about need for cutting down trees, soil contamination and moving Cat Sanctuary to a new location.



Part 2 - RIOC shows off new Southpoint Park WFF Cat Sanctuary.

Read more »

You're Invited To Join Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park Shoreline Project Walking Tour Friday Morning July 17 - Opponents Claim Project Destroys Trees And Natural Habitat, Supporters Say Project Fixes Crumbling Seawall, Preserves Habitat And Enhances Surrounding Green Space Paths, You Decide

To better understand and address the RI community concerns of the upcoming Southpoint Shoreline project, I am happy to announce that I secured public walking tours of the project. The tours will be informational and informative. Secure your spot now! pic.twitter.com/Ow3bEx0x9e

— Rebecca Seawright (@SeawrightForNY) July 16, 2020

As previously reported, during the current temporary pause before construction begins on the Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration Project, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)  invites you to a walking tour of the area tomorrow morning.

According to RIOC:

You are invited to join us for a public walkthrough of the Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration Project!

Walk throughs are scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, July 17th.

The time slots available are:

10:00 AM  -10:15 AM - 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM

To register contact Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright’s office at seawrightr@nyassembly.gov or call (212) 288-4607.

Please be advised that tour groups will be limited to a maximum of 10 people.

To view the project timeline and see future updates, go to the project page HERE.

For questions about the project, email SPPprojectinfo@rioc.ny.gov

The temporary pause in construction of the project is to allow RIOC additional time to answer claims from community members, led by the Wildlife Freedom Foundation, that the project will destroy trees and decimate wildlife.

pic.twitter.com/zueJXtEt7U

— Wildlife Freedom Foundation (@wffny) July 11, 2020

But, according to Acting RIOC President Shelton Haynes:

The goal of the Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park project is to repair the erosion of the east and west seawalls and is critical to ensure the health and safety of the public while visiting Southpoint Park. The proposed plan was reviewed and approved by several federal, state, and local agencies charged with protecting the environment, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)– Fish and Wildlife Services, the National Marine Fisheries Services (NOAA), and the New York State Departmental of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). The RIOC Board of Directors unanimously approved the plan earlier this year.

Read more »

Watch Video Of Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park Shoreline Project Virtual Town Hall Hosted By Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright With RIOC President Shelton Haynes

The Roosevelt Island Virtual Town Hall meeting on Southpoint Park Shoreline Restoration Project ended a few minutes ago. Here's video of the meeting.



Click here for more info and background on the issue.

Stay tuned for updates.

UPDATE 7/15 - According to Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright:

Roosevelt Island residents, constituents, and stakeholders raised legitimate concerns on the Southpoint Park project at last evening's Town Hall Tuesday Livestream, which I hosted. We had a lively discussion about the much-needed reconstruction of retaining walls, the integrity of the adjacent wildlife habitat, the bird sanctuary, and the environmental site that hosts dozens of mature, shade bearing trees.

I'm pleased that RIOC is stepping up its efforts with much-needed communications, including weekly bulletins, and an energized website to function as an action line that responds to questions from residents and stakeholders within 48 hours. These are positive signs, but we must do much more to restore community confidence.

The next step will be on Friday, when RIOC will offer, at my request, special information tours of the site to the public between 10 and noon.  I urge all interested to reserve a place on the tour by emailing my office at seawrightr@nyassembly.gov.

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Acting President Shelton Haynes adds:

Last night’s Town Hall went well and was a good platform to share the details of the overall project and to respond to real time inquiries via Facebook.

Our subject matter experts provided a good overview and visuals of the current conditions of the seawall. I was happy to hear and answer the concerns that were expressed and hope that it gave way for a better understanding as to why this project is so important for Southpoint Park.

Going forward, we will be taking several steps to educate the public on the SPP Shoreline Restoration Project and highlight the necessity for the work to be performed. In response to the community concerns regarding the impact of the project and next steps following the Town Hall, we will continue to provide more information and respond to inquiries from the community. Questions can be submitted to an email created for this project: SPPprojectinfo@rioc.ny.gov. In addition, a section on our website has been created for the project and will serve as an information hub where residents and stakeholders can learn more about the history, present conditions and future plan of SPP (rioc.ny.gov/513). We will also utilize other communication outlets such as notices, social media and RIOC Advisories to share information when it becomes available.

As I mentioned in last night’s Town Hall, we have invited the community and our stakeholders to a scheduled walkthrough of the areas included in this project, led by our project team, on Friday, July 17th, from 10 AM- 12 PM. We will meet groups, no more than 10 per group, at the entrance of SPP and tour the project. We hope to move forward soon after taking these necessary to convey the dire need to begin this project that will address a very serious seawall condition.

I hope you can join us.

Wildlife Freedom Foundation March And Protest Roosevelt Island Shoreline Restoration Project Last Saturday - Learn Why And About Other Roosevelt Island Issues At July 14 Virtual Town Hall Community Forum Hosted By Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright With Acting RIOC President Shelton Haynes

NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright is hosting a Roosevelt Island Virtual Town Hall Community Forum with Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Acting President Shelton Haynes on Tuesday, July 14 at 7 PM

#RooseveltIsland join us for a Virtual Town Hall Tuesday: A Roosevelt Island Community Forum with Shelton J. Haynes, RIOC Acting President and CEO of RIOC. https://t.co/zJp3X6q5Nu at 7pm on 7/14. pic.twitter.com/waxsrGtnh9

— Rebecca Seawright (@SeawrightForNY) July 9, 2020

You're invited to watch and participate. Click here for info and to join the Facebook Live event. You can submit questions before the Town Hall at SEAWRIGHTR@NYASSEMBLY.GOV or in the Facebook Live Chat during the Town Hall.

Among the various Roosevelt Island issues to be addressed is the Southpoint Park Seawall and Shoreline Restoration Project which some residents, led by Wildlife Freedom Foundation (WFF) President Rossana Ceruzzi, claim will destroy 325 Trees and decimate the wildlife living in the area.

pic.twitter.com/dF1RH41Dsj

— Wildlife Freedom Foundation (@wffny) July 5, 2020

The Southpoint Park Shoreline project was scheduled to begin today but was temporarily paused by RIOC for the upcoming Town Hall to provide the community with more info.

 Last Saturday, July 11, the WFF organized a demonstration

View this post on Instagram

Protesters led by Wildlife Freedom Foundation chant Save Our Trees At Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park today. Trees being removed from contaminated site in order to fix crumbling east river seawall and will be replaced says @riocny

A post shared by @ rooseveltislander on Jul 11, 2020 at 11:08am PDT

and march

Protesters led by @wffny march around Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park chanting Save Our Trees. Trees being removed are on contaminated soil and have to be removed to fix crumbling seawall and will be replaced says @RIOCny https://t.co/gU5112aLnn… pic.twitter.com/bSskNS6qnp

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) July 11, 2020

protesting RIOC's Southpoint Park Seawall and Shoreline restoration at the site of the planned work to begin shortly. Ms Ceruzzi spoke passionately to supporters about need to protect the trees and natural habitat on Roosevelt Island..



But, according to Acting RIOC President Shelton Haynes:

The goal of the Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park project is to repair the erosion of the east and west seawalls and is critical to ensure the health and safety of the public while visiting Southpoint Park. The proposed plan was reviewed and approved by several federal, state, and local agencies charged with protecting the environment, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)– Fish and Wildlife Services, the National Marine Fisheries Services (NOAA), and the New York State Departmental of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). The RIOC Board of Directors unanimously approved the plan earlier this year.

Over the course of the project timeline, RIOC has welcomed feedback from the community and will ensure that the Southpoint Park project preserves the natural habit and wildlife that currently exist, while also enhancing the surrounding greenspace paths. The required work involves the removal of toxic soil that has been inundated with overgrown landfills, choked with invasive vegetation, that must be removed before the seawall can be repaired. Roughly 99 small trees (ten inches in diameter) will be removed and replaced with 79 trees. The tree removal is necessary to access the area to be remediated. In addition, 870 shrubs, 645 other indigenous plantings, and approximately 14,500 sq. ft. of new grass that will encourage more wildlife to visit the shoreline. This project must be completed in order to prevent further deterioration of the seawall due to the ever-increasing impacts of climate change.

Read more »