Revisiting Hart Island Free Public Lecture May 9 Presented By Roosevelt Island Historical Society At RI NY Library Branch - Learn About Efforts To Make NY Potter's Field Burial Grounds A Public Park

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) is hosting a free public lecture titled Revisiting Hart Island May 9 (6:30 PM) at the NY Public Library Roosevelt Island Branch (524 Main Street).

According to RIHS:

R E V I S I T I N G  H A R T  I S L A N D

T H U R S D A Y ,  M A Y 9 T H |  6 : 3 0 P. M.
R I  N Y P L  B R A N C H
_______________________
S P E A K E R :
M e l i n d a H u n t

For decades, Potter’s Field on Hart Island and the island itself have been run by the Corrections Department. Over the last few years, Melinda Hunt, Trustee of the Hart Island Project, has brought the plight of Hart Island's deteriorating condition to the public and opened the conversation to make the Island a public park. Melinda will update us on proposals to change administration of the island to the Parks Department, their implications, and other issues that have emerged since 2014.

The lecture is presented by the Roosevelt Island Historical Society at the New York Public Library Branch on Roosevelt Island, on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.

The event is FREE and open to the public. It is the second in the Society’s annual series of spring lectures, which is supported by funds provided by Amalgamated Bank, Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation’s Public Purpose Fund and New York City Council Member Ben Kallos, with funding from the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development.

More info from the Hart Island Project and this video.

Roosevelt Island Youth Center Renovations, Lighthouse Park Pedestrian Bridge, Seawall Railings, Procurement Guidelines, Public Purpose Funds & More On Agenda For May 9 RIOC Board Of Directors Meeting - Public Comment Session Prior To Start Of Meeting

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors will meet 5:30 PM Thursday, May 9, at the Cultural Center (548 Main Street). You're invited to  attend and ask questions during the opening Public Session before the start of the meeting. Sign up to speak here.

According to RIOC:

AGENDA

MAY 9, 2019 MEETING OF

THE ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

THE CULTURAL CENTER THEATER, 

548 MAIN STREET, 

ROOSEVELT ISLAND, NEW YORK

5:30 P.M.1

I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Approval of Minutes
1. March 7, 2019 Board Meeting (Board Action Required)
IV. Old Business
V. New Business
1. Ratification of Insurance Binders for FY 2019-20 (Board Action Required)
2. Approval of Extension of the FY 2018-19 Public Purpose Funds Period (Board Action Required)
3. Approval of Amendments of the Public Purpose Funds for Roosevelt Island Visual Arts
Association for FY 2017-18 and FY 2018-19 (Board Action Required)
4. Approval of Amendments to RIOC Procurement Guidelines (Board Action Required)
5. Authorization to Enter into Settlement Agreement with Elit Green Builders Corporation in
Connection with Seawall Railings Construction Project (Board Action Required)
6. Ratification of Amendment of Contract with Elan Engineering, LLC for Seawall Railing design
and consulting services (Board Action Required)
7. Ratification of Contract with Sea Crest Construction Corp. for Lighthouse Park Pedestrian Bridge
Replacement (Board Action Required)
8. Authorization to Enter into Contract with Vanguard Construction & Development Co. Inc. for
Youth Center Renovations (Board Action Required)
9. Authorization to Enter into Contract with Structural Preservation System, LLC for Motorgate
Garage Repairs (Board Action Required)
10. Authorization to Amend Contract with Ral-Bar Electric Inc. for On-call Electrical Services (Board
Action Required)
11. Authorization to Enter into Contract with Safe Tech USA Ltd. for Fire Alarm Monitoring and
Repairs at the Tramway (Board Action Required)
12. Authorization to Enter into Contract for Water Distribution Repairs Project (Board Action
Required - Materials to Follow) 13. President’s Report
14. Committee Reports
a. Audit Committee
b. Governance Committee
c. Operations Advisory Committee
d. Real Estate Development Advisory Committee
15. Public Safety Report
VI. Adjournment

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

The May 9 RIOC Board of Directors meeting notice was not posted on the RIOC web site.

Roosevelt Island Celebrates Earth Love Day With Demonstrations Of Available Eco-Friendly Resources By Local Groups Including iDig2Learn, Garden Club, Green RI Neighbors, Circle Of Kindness & More - Food Scraps Are Not Trash

Roosevelt Island celebrated Earth Love Day last Saturday April 27 at the Good Shepherd Plaza Farmers Market. Local residents and visitors showed us available environmentally friendly resources available right here on Roosevelt Island.

Here's what happended.

Roosevelt Island is showing #EarthLove by helping neighbors find eco-friendly resources like the SAT @BigReuse food scrap drop off, clothing bins, electronic waste boxes, battery drops & the new Safe Medication Disposal box too! Thanks @RIOCny @DuaneReade pic.twitter.com/81N7Oms1sS

— iDig2Learn (@iDig2Learn) May 1, 2019

Today #RooseveltIsland #earthloveday 7,000 market plastic bags were replaced w/ compostable bags, #wengerd gave 1000 reusable totes, #rigardenclub and #GRIN showed the value of food scraps w/ plant activities, @BigReuse gave back compost. #EarthLove pic.twitter.com/fNoPQubl7V

— iDig2Learn (@iDig2Learn) April 28, 2019

IDig2Learn founder Christina Delfico explains Roosevelt Island Earth Love Day and how to use food scraps for composting. Ms Delfico says - Food Scraps Are Not Trash!

Tks @whao_org 4 showing artistic #EarthLove on #RooseveltIsland w/ food scrap plant dyes made from blackberries & onion skins which create beautiful nature fabric colors. @RIOCny @iDig2Learn@BigReuse @designNPS@whao_org #earthloveday #compostproject pic.twitter.com/RHBV2CHTVl

— iDig2Learn (@iDig2Learn) April 28, 2019

Sara Qihan Dong from the World Human Accountability Organization shows how to make beautiful dyes from food scraps.

#earthloveday inspired by @servicespace Circle of Kindness comes to #RooseveltIsland delicious chutney sandwiches along w/ Smile Cards were shared 2 introduce pay-it-forward acts of kindness. Kind 2 us & 2 earth. @RIOCny pic.twitter.com/QVA7KgEK73

— iDig2Learn (@iDig2Learn) April 28, 2019

Niti Parikh helps spread a Circle of Kindness around Roosevelt Island.



Green Rooseelt Island Neighbors (GRIN) Anthony Longo makes Superdirt from Roosevelt Island organics that are not food scraps.



Roosevelt Island Garden Club Member Julia Ferguson goes deeper into how to compost with bugs and worms and other good stuff.



More from RIGC on Roosevelt Island Earth Love Day at their web site.

Roosevelt Island Youth Center Member and Girl Scout Dakota describes learning about saving the environment and using food scraps for composting



iDig2Learn's Christina Delfico has more on Roosevelt Island Earth Love Day.

Young people from the RIOC’s Youth Center were on hand to collect used batteries and cheer locals on their green journey with a Roosevelt Island Phase 1 Green Map. The map spotlights free eco-friendly island resources available including free food scrap drop offs, clothing bin drops, electronic waste boxes and the newly added Safe Medication Disposal box at Duane Reade. Many building managers have painted their roofs light colors which reduces energy use, offer free book exchange shelves, planted trees and native pollinator friendly plants, use green cleaning products and peak energy alerts to conserve and reduce waste. RIOC has used battery drops at Sportspark and 591 Main Street for safe disposal. More sustainable resources will be added to the phase two green map as additional buildings, schools and businesses announce their sustainable practices. Islanders are encouraged to share earth-friendly practices they know about or wish to start by tagging #EarthLove and Roosevelt Island on social media.

Read more »

Roosevelt Island Octagon Park Picnic Table And BBQ Area Closed For More Than One Year By Fence Keeping Residents Out - RIOC Does Not Know When It Will Re-Open Due To Impact Of NYC DEP Access Road Construction Requiring Area Reseeding

A Reader asked:

Any word on when RIOC is planning to remove the fence around the access road by octagon? Work was to be done LAST APRIL

I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal:

Any update as to when the DEP fence adjacent to the Octagon will be removed.

RIOC Director of Community Affairs Erica Spencer-El replied:

Members from our Capital Planning & Projects and Parks departments met with DEP in early April and completed a walkthrough of Access Road B. It was determined that DEP will re-seed the area impacted by the construction with hydro-seed and, once fully established, remove the fence and transfer the park back to RIOC for regular upkeep and maintenance.

As of today, we have not received a definite date for when the fence will be removed. However, we are in constant communication with DEP reps and anticipate receiving an update on the removal schedule shortly.

I will provide you with new information on this matter as soon as we receive it.

Work for the NYC Department of Environmental Protection Water Tunnel Access Road adjacent to the Octagon Building was supposed to start in April 2018 and be completed by October 2018. The area, park space with picnic tables and BBQ grills, was closed off to residents by fencing starting that April.

Due to project delays, work did not begin until August 2018 and appears to have been completed in late November although the fencing with ugly green tarp remained into December as reported by Roosevelt Island Daily.

In January 2019, RIOC President Susan Rosenthal reported:

You may have noticed, since last month, that the green tarps along the fence line of the project have been removed. As you may know the City’s Department of Environmental Protection built an access road along the path from Main Street to the Promenade. RIOC had no control of the timing and or pace toward completion of the construction. When we inquired and met with the DEP staff in December, we were informed the fencing will be removed once the sod has an opportunity to knit i.e. become firmly rooted along the road. The tarps’ removal was a compromise to provide better street lighting and visibility in the area. And rest assured, we’ll have any hanging or downed tree limbs removed before the fencing is removed and the area is open again to the public. 

Seems not much has changed since last January and much of the Octagon Park picnic space and BBQ area

is still off-limits until who knows when.

UPDATE 5/9 - According to RIOC Spokesperson Jessica Murray:

Please be advised that DEP has informed RIOC that they plan to remove the fence at Octagon Park by Friday, May 17th.

New York Junior Tennis & Learning Free Roosevelt Island Spring Program at the Octagon Park Tennis Courts - Monday, Wednesday & Friday Afternoons For Kids 7-18, Pee Wees 5-6 Years Old On Wednesday, All You Need is Sneakers And A Smile

The New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) Free Spring Roosevelt Island Program has begun at the Octagon Park Tennis Courts.

Local resident and NYJTL Roosevelt Island Site Coordinator Joyce Short reports:

NYJTL's Spring Season has begun at Octagon Park. Hours are 3-6 PM for kids aged 7 through 18, Monday, Wednesday & Friday. PeeWees- aged 5, 6, and beginners who are 7, 3:30 to 4:30 on Wednesdays.

Rolling admission. No one is turned away. All you need is sneakers and a smile.

NYJTL is supported through the generosity of RIOC, NYC City Council and Council Member Ben Kallos.

According to NYJLT:

Few things thrill Joyce Short more than watching the kids she coaches at the Roosevelt Island Community Tennis Program learn and grow. But there’s added significance for her when she sees girls, in particular, excel.

Joyce grew up before the 1972 Title IX legislation created equal opportunities for girls to participate in sports. She played tennis and competed in citywide tournaments as a one- and three-meter springboard diver in her hometown of Columbia, South Carolina. She was the City Champion in the 16-and-under category. But her high school had no varsity teams for girls. As a University of Georgia co-ed, she was only allowed to use the diving board in the “men’s pool,” two hours per week.

 Image Of Joyce Short From NYJTL

Today, Joyce relishes the opportunity to be a role model for all young people, but especially girls. “I hope that the fact that I’m here coaching as a female athlete will speak volumes to them about their potential,” she says....

(Click here for the full article)

And more on NYJTL.

RIOC Announces Roosevelt Island Motorgate Garage Repairs And Infrastructure Improvements To Begin Next Month - Repair Concrete Surfaces, Upgrade Drainage System, Waterproofing Facility, Restriping Parking Spaces, New Signage & Electric Car Charging Stations

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) plans to begin work on infrastructure improvements to the Motorgate Garage.

According to RIOC:

As part of the ongoing initiative to improve the Island’s infrastructure, a contractor was selected to complete improvements in the Motorgate garage that will address deficiencies in the space. The work will be phased to allow for the continued use of the garage as construction progresses.

What’s happening:

• Repair concrete surfaces to remove cracked, spalled and delaminated concrete. Install slip resistant topping coating as needed.
• Replace the existing expansion joint material.
• Repair & upgrade the existing drainage system.
• Apply a waterproofing system on the parking deck, ramps, walkways, and curbs.
• Restripe the parking spaces and install new wayfinding signage.
• Install electric car charging stations.

What to expect and when:

Over the next few weeks, monthly patrons impacted by the first phase of work will be notified. Patrons will be relocated as necessary to accommodate the work schedule.

Phase I — first half repair work is scheduled to be performed in Spring 2019 through Fall of 2019

Phase II— second half repair work is slated to be performed in Spring 2020 through Fall of 2020

What residents can do to help:

• Your continued patience and cooperation is appreciated as we require residents to temporarily relocate their vehicles within the garage.
• Please observe and comply with temporary modifications to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic patterns.
• For your safety, please stay out of construction areas and other areas as posted.

“Residents have been living with the effects of the deterioration of Motorgate for too long; accordingly, we are happy to move forward with this extensive project to address those problems.” said Susan Rosenthal, President and CEO of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation.

The Motorgate Garage management company, SP+, will be contacting monthly parking customers regarding any relocations or other necessary information. In addition, advisories with detailed updates on the Motorgate garage improvements will be sent out to the community as the project progresses. To receive alerts visit rioc.ny.gov and sign up for Island Community Advisories.

UPDATE 12:20 - The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse asks:

Do these improvements include updates to the smell of rotting carcasses that plagued us all last summer?

— John Thrasher (@jthrasher) May 7, 2019

Part 4 Of Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Community Conversation - Watch Law Professor James Grimmelmann Presentation On Sealand/Haven Co, Is Internet Out Of Control, Are Tech Companies Undermining Government Regulation, Is That Good Or Bad?

Cornell Tech has initiated a series of Roosevelt Island Community Conversations between residents and Cornell Tech Faculty. The fourth  conversation took place April 29 with Professor James Grimmelmann presentation on Law & Technology:

Does it seem like the Internet is out of control? Are technology companies undermining government control and freeing people to do absolutely anything they want online? And is that a good thing or a bad thing?

James Grimmelmann studies law and technology. He tries to understand today's digital controversies by looking for times when similar things have happened in the past. He will explain current struggles to regulate technology by telling the unbelievable real-life tale of HavenCo, one of the unlikeliest startups of all time. Its headquarters was an abandoned World War II anti-aircraft platform seven miles off the British coast — and the story just gets weirder from there. It includes pirate radio, machine guns, rampant copyright infringement, a Red Bull skateboarding special, perpetual motion machines, and the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States.

James will use the story of HavenCo as a jumping-off point for a conversation about technology and democracy.

It was a fascinating presentation. Watch it below



followed by equally interesting questions from the audience.

Prof Grimmelmann Sealand HavenCos Presentation

Fascinating video here on HavenCo and efforts to avoid government regulation of data.

The first Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Faculty conversation was with Professor Serge 
Belongie on Computer Vision, Machine Learning and Augmented Reality. Watch the video here.

The second Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Faculty conversation was with Professor Nicolai Dell on Creating Tech For Underserved Communities. Watch the video here.

The third Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Faculty conversation was with  Professor Mor Naaman on Tech, Media & Democracy. Don't have video of that presentation. 

Am looking forward to future Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Faculty Community Conversations.

Roosevelt Island Gallery RIVAA Opens Pop Up Art Exhibit At Cornell Tech Tata Innovation Center - Abstract Painting By Local Artist Ioan Popoin Will Ignite The Minds And Spirits Of All Who Wander By Says RIVAA Gallery Board Member Jim Pignetti

Last Thursday, May 2, Roosevelt Island's Gallery RIVAA opened a new Pop Up art exhibit featuring abstract painting by local resident and artist Ioan Popoin, displayed in the first floor window  commercial space

and building lobby

of the Tata Innovation Center

on the Cornell Tech campus.

There are no hours to the exhibition. You can come by at any time during the day to view the painting thru the first floor window commercial space and in the lobby when the building is open. The paintings are on view for approximately 2 months.

RIVAA Board Member Jim Pignetti welcomed those who gathered for the opening and introduced the artist noting:

... It's an honor and privilege to partner with Cornell Tech in adding more beauty to an already fantastic campus. Ioan's extraordinary abstractions ignite an otherwise empty commercial space and hopefully they'll ignite the minds and spirits of all who wander by, Cornell Tech students and staff, community members and visitors....

I hope my constant pushing can now be understood through the lens of this event...

... Ioan, your work speaks for itself. Color, gesture, form, movement. They transport us visually and emotionally to a new and fresh place, something that we all need nowadays...

Mr Pignetti added:

It is with great pleasure that I present Ioan Popoiu’s paintings here at the Tata Innovation Center. This is another installment in RIVAA’s - the Roosevelt Island Visual Artists Association - Island of Art Initiative.

It’s an honor and privilege to partner with Cornell Tech in adding more beauty to an already fantastic campus. Ioan’s extraordinary abstractions ignite an otherwise empty commercial space… and hopefully they’ll ignite the minds and spirits of all who wander by, Cornell Tech students and staff, community members, and visitors.

There are several thank yous I’d like to share… gratitude goes to Dan Cooke, Joseph Cassissa, Juliet Wiessman, and Elysa Marden. We got to know one another thru the email correspondence required to make an event like this real. I hope my constant pushing can now be understood thru the lens of this moment. At RIVAA, thanks go to Laura Hussey and Margie Smith, who participated in meetings and provided counsel. And most importantly thank you Tad Sudol, our president, without his vision none of this would, or could happen.

Finally thank you Ioan for your wonderful paintings… Ioan’s work speaks for itself – color, gesture, form, movement – they transport us visually, and emotionally to a new and fresh place, something that we all need in these trying times…

RIOC Board Operations Committee Meeting May 7 - Agenda Includes Executive Session On Pending Litigation And History Of Corporation, Public Session On Roosevelt Island Youth Center Renovations, Lighthouse Park Pedestrian Bridge Replacement, Motorgate Garage Repairs & More

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Operations Advisory Committee is meeting Tuesday May 7. According to RIOC:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Operations Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 5:30 P.M. at RIOC’s Operations Office, 680 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.

AGENDA:

5:30 P.M. – 6:10 P.M.:

I. Chair’s Motion for Executive Session to Discuss:

1. Pending Litigation

2. Financial History of Corporation

6:10 P.M.:

II. Discussions of:

Amendments to RIOC Procurement Guidelines
Seawall Railing Design and Consulting Services
Lighthouse Park Pedestrian Bridge Replacement
Youth Center Renovations
Motorgate Garage Repairs
On-call Electrical Services
Fire Alarm Monitoring and Repairs at the Tramway
Water Distribution Repairs Project
Any Other Committee Business that May be Brought Before the Committee

***

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

UPDATE 2:50 PM - I asked RIOC President Susan Rosenthal:

Will there be any discussion at May 7 Operations Advisory Committee meeting about transportation problems caused by the large crowds at the Cherry Blossom Festival and any RIOC preparations being made for the upcoming June 1-2 Figment NYC event to prevent similar occurrence?

Do not see anything on the Agenda about this issue.

Ms Rosenthal replied:

Yes, Shelton will report on our planning at NYCEM.

Shelton Haynes is RIOC's Chief Operating Officer.

International Jazz Day Jam Session Today At Roosevelt Island's Gallery RIVAA - Meet The Musicians And Have A Listen

Roosevelt Island resident and jazz guitarist Susheel Kurien together with an international cast of musicians from distant lands such as

• Texas, 
• Hong Kong, 
• Madagascar, 
• South Korea, 
• Astoria, 
• Westchester, 
• Cold Spring and 
• Brooklyn

celebrated the third annual Roosevelt Island International Jazz Day with a Jam Session earlier today at Gallery RIVAA.

Susheel Kurien introduced the musicians to the appreciative audience of about 20



and then the celebration of jazz began. Here's a snippet. (Click on Full Screen Icon at bottom right of video for better view).



Susheel organizes jazz sessions from time to time at Gallery RIVAA.

Check it out next time there's another jam.

Also, Susheel is the writer/director of Finding Carlton, a documentary about the story of Jazz in India.

Here's the trailer.