Roosevelt Island's New NY State Senator Mike Gianaris Talks With Residents During Community Board 8 RI Committee Meeting - He's Learning About Local Issues Including RIOC Governance And Looking Forward To Speaking With You At Saturday Farmers Market Soon

NEW: @GovKathyHochul has signed legislation creating new Congressional and Legislative Districts in New York.

Two days ago Hochul said “The role I play is simply reviewing the maps after they’ve been approved by Legislature.”

Hochul reviewed them for 4 hours before signing. pic.twitter.com/nOTPSXH8LP

— Zack Fink (@ZackFinkNews) February 3, 2022

As reported February 1:

... How does the proposed NY State legislative redistricting impact Roosevelt Island representation? 

Roosevelt Island's long time Manhattan/Bronx State Senator Jose Serrano will no longer represent the neighborhood. Instead, Queens State Senator Michael Gianaris, Deputy Majority Leader of the State Senate, will represent Roosevelt Island in the proposed redistricting....

Senator Gianaris participated in the February 17 Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Committee virtual Zoom meeting chaired by Lynn Strong-Shinozaki and introduced himself to the community members attending.

According to Senator Gianaris: 

... I just wanted to start to get to know you all. As Lynn mentioned, the redistricting lines have changed and the district that I currently represent is taking on Roosevelt Island and parts of the Upper East Side up in the 90s and even though I won't officially be representing the area until January 1, I will be running for office for re-election... 

Roosevelt Island was a place I've been too many times in my life. As you're all very much aware, the only bridge connecting you all to the rest of the city comes right into  the historic Long Island City border so I've ridden my bike through your island many times.

I visited the park, I've been to events there and I will consider it an honor if I get the chance to represent the area and you can count on seeing me there often.

Lynn and I spoke a little bit earlier today and she mentioned the Saturday market is something I have to come to so we're gonna put that on my agenda. I don't think I can come this weekend but I will be there in short order and if any of you are there I will get to say hello in person ...

... I  really look forward to collaborating with all of you on issues of importance to Roosevelt Island. Most people in the City I think when they think of Roosevelt they think of the Tram and the Spider-Man movie and there's a lot more going on there than just that so it's up to the rest of us to educate everybody else...

I asked Senator Gianaris about his views on the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors vacant seats, residents voting for RIOC Board members and the recently introduced legislation introduced by Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright and current State Senator Jose Serrano about the RIOC Board governance. 

                                                               Screenshot From Feb 17 CB 8 Roosevelt Island Committee You Tube Video

Senator Gianaris replied:

... This is my first introduction to Roosevelt Island activists and community leaders. I know about RIOC. I've heard a lot about it but before I dive into that detailed question I'd love to talk to you and to the Board and Lynn and develop some more background and actually that's something  I'd like to ask Senator Serrano his views on as well.

But I'm just starting to get to learn about a lot of this stuff and I know enough to know that the whole RIOC administration question has been lingering for quite some time so I just want to get kind of educated up on it before I give you a specific answer to that but I'm happy to sit with you and hear you out on how you think it should be handled ... 

About the Seawright/Serrano RIOC legislation, Senator Gianaris said:

... It sounds like if the people who represent the Island want that change then it's likely something I'd be supporting as well but again i just don't want to get ahead of myself on the substance...

And:

...One thing that I would ask you all to avail yourselves of as it relates to my role in the Senate is I happen to be the Deputy Leader. Senator Serrano is the Chairman of the Conference so he's kind of third or fourth in line too so he's no slouch but I do have probably more ability to be effective legislatively than the average Senator. So, if there's something as it relates to RIOC for example, I may have a greater ability to get that done, a new experience in the past so we should definitely put our heads together on that and see what we can do.

Ms Shinozaki adds:

That sounds very exciting. I know that the the community has chafed at different periods because they felt that who was participating in the Board didn't necessarily represent the community and there has been a lot of movement over the years to try to get more people on the Board that live in the community because they feel that they understand the issues intimately because they live here. I'm sure that's something that we can continue to discuss with you in terms of how to move forward on that.

Here's the Agenda

 and video of the February CB 8 Roosevelt Island committee.

  

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright will continue to represent Roosevelt Island under the new redistricting.

Roosevelt Island's New State Senator In 2023 Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris Meets With Residents Last Saturday At Farmers Market - Listens To Community Concerns Including Problems With RIOC, He's "Looking Forward To Working With All The Great People"

As previously reported, following NY State legislative redistricting signed into law earlier this year, Roosevelt Island's long time State Senator Jose Serrano will be replaced by State Senator Michael Gianaris beginning January 1, 2023. 

Last Saturday, Senator Gianaris visited the local Roosevelt Island Farmers market to meet and talk with Roosevelt Island residents. 

According to Senator Gianaris:

... I've crossed this bridge hundreds of times. I've been here for events. I've had friends who've lived here and now I get a chance to be the representative for Roosevelt Island as the Deputy Leader of the Senate. 

I'm looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work on so many of the issues. I've already heard a bunch this morning about RIOC and the problems of administration here on Roosevelt Island so looking forward to working with all the great people. It's a great community...

 

In addition to Roosevelt Island, Senator Gianaris' 12 District includes parts of Astoria, Long Island City, Woodside and the Upper East Side including Gracie Mansion, home of NYC Mayor Eric Adams.
More on Senator Michael Gianaris at this prior post and his website.

Big Changes For Western Queens If Roosevelt Island Selected As Site For New York City Applied Sciences & Engineering School Says Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Queens Elected Officials and Business Leaders

Image of Goldwater Site From NYC EDC RFP Page 56

This previous post from last July 19 asked the question:

Can you imagine how Stanford, or any other University's presence might change Roosevelt Island?

It will also change Western Queens. The NY Daily News reported yesterday:

Building a hi-tech campus on Roosevelt Island would be a major boon for Queens, elected officials and business leaders said Monday, as two top schools threw their support behind the location.

Both Cornell University and Stanford University officials said they favored Roosevelt Island over the two other sites being considered for the creation of an applied sciences and engineering campus - Governors Island and the Brooklyn Navy Yard....

Click here for the entire Daily News article.

Below is Press Release from Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney's office supporting Roosevelt Island as the site for NYC's proposed Applied Sciences & Engineering school and describing the economic benefits to Western Queens from having the campus located on Roosevelt Island.

 Image From Congresswoman Maloney's Office of r., David Brause, Chairman of the Long Island City Business Improvement District; Gayle Baron, President of the Long Island City Partnership; Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney; NY State Senator Michael Gianaris

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, State Senator Michael Gianaris, Long Island City Partnership President Gayle Baron, and business and community leaders in Queens today voiced their strong support for Applied Sciences NYC, a Bloomberg administration initiative to site a state-of-the-art applied sciences campus in New York City, and specifically for a City-owned site on Roosevelt Island and to provide the new engineering institution with up to $100 million in infrastructure investments.

In remarks delivered today, Congresswoman Maloney said, “An applied sciences and engineering facility on Roosevelt Island offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spur western Queens’ transformation into a world-class hub of technology and entrepreneurship and to generate significant long-term job growth for the borough. The Long Island City central business district offers an ideal location for start-ups created by the new campus’ faculty, students, and graduates, featuring affordable and accessible space near convenient transportation and a growing residential community. Those of us who represent western Queens or Roosevelt Island are thrilled with the enormous opportunities this could provide for our constituents, and have pledged to work together to land this groundbreaking initiative in our own backyard, where it will generate well-paying jobs. The New York City Economic Development Corporation projects that a new or expanded applied sciences facility could have a multiplier effect and create more than 400 new businesses across the city, generating billions of dollars in new economic activity and creating tens of thousands of jobs. These jobs will not only benefit academics and researchers; they will also benefit New Yorkers of all skill levels, as universities and technology businesses employ people in a diverse range of jobs and generally pay higher salaries to employees without college degrees than other sectors of the economy.

“In addition, Roosevelt Island’s proximity to western Queens makes it likely that this community will benefit most from the businesses spun off by a new campus there. Roosevelt Island provides an idyllic setting for students and faculty, and offers proximity to new and existing businesses in Long Island City, Astoria, Sunnyside, and Woodside. And start-ups would be able to join a growing core of science and engineering-based businesses and institutions in western Queens, including JetBlue, the RCN Corporation, Schick Technologies and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, as well as a expanding center of film and television production.”

State Senator Michael Gianaris said, “Roosevelt Island is the ideal location for this new facility because it complements western Queens' growing reputation as a hub of job growth, technology and entrepreneurship. Its close proximity to Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside and Astoria would allow students, faculty and visitors to easily travel to and from campus, prompting exponential growth in western Queens' economic development through job creation, revenue increases and new business incentives.”

Other elected officials submitted written statements about the proposal. Queens Borough President Helen Marshall said, “An applied sciences facility located on Roosevelt Island could be the next best thing that happens to Long Island City. Such a campus, easily within reach of Queens by subway or the Roosevelt Island Bridge, would have enormous benefits attached to it. It would be fertile ground for growing leaders of tomorrow, create hundreds of jobs and generate millions in tax revenue. Local labor and businesses in Long Island City and beyond would be involved in the creation and operation of a university in a unique environment, while the campus received support, millions of dollars for infrastructure improvements and land from the City of New York.

“Long Island City has undergone a revolution in recent years with thousands of new housing units, retail activity and open space that makes it one of the most attractive waterfront vistas in New York City.

“We’re calling for continued growth and renewal for Long Island City and all of New York City. Interested schools can seize this opportunity, lead the way to future research and technology and have a presence in New York City that will generate worldwide interest.”

In a written statement, Assembly Member Catherine Nolan said, “The proposal to site a new institution of engineering and applied sciences in Roosevelt Island will bring significant benefits to residents and businesses in Long Island City and western Queens. It will create good jobs, create a multiplier effect that will benefit existing businesses in the area, and reinforce the strong ties between western Queens and our neighbors on Roosevelt Island.”

“In order for the technical campus on Roosevelt Island to be a success, there must be significant investment in Western Queens,” said Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, who attended today community meeting for local business leaders hosted by Congresswoman Maloney and the Long Island City Partnership. “I support efforts to make Queens the borough of technical innovation, bringing well-paying jobs into the communities of Long Island City, Dutch Kills, Sunnyside, and Woodside.”

Proposal are due from applying schools by October 28 and a decision will be made by New York City before the end of the year. More information on the proposed NYC Applied Sciences & Engineering School proposals for Roosevelt Island available at these previous posts.

How Does Proposed NY State Legislative Redistricting Plan Impact Roosevelt Island Elected Representation? Changes In State Senate, Serrano Out, Gianaris In - Congress And State Assembly Remain The Same

According to City & State:

Democratic dominance in state politics is about to reach a whole new level as the decennial redistricting process approaches its conclusion. 

Albany Democrats are expected to approve new legislative lines for the state Senate and Assembly that benefit their incumbents while making it harder than ever for Republicans to regain any of the electoral ground they have lost in recent years....

“It’s a generational shift” https://t.co/eE82qPcheO

— Zach Williams (@ZachReports) February 1, 2022

How does the proposed NY State legislative redistricting impact Roosevelt Island representation? 

Roosevelt Island's long time Manhattan/Bronx State Senator Jose Serrano will no longer represent the neighborhood. Instead, Queens State Senator Michael Gianaris, Deputy Majority Leader of the State Senate, will represent Roosevelt Island in the proposed redistricting.

The Boundaries for Senate District 12 have also changed. Occupied by Deputy Majority Leader @SenGianaris, it pushes West out of Queens and into Manhattan. So it now includes Roosevelt Island ( about 12,000 people ) and a portion of the Upper East Side all the way to 5th Ave. pic.twitter.com/huG7tWVzQR

— Zack Fink (@ZackFinkNews) February 1, 2022

See the full map at https://newyork.redistrictingandyou.org

Roosevelt Island NY State Senate District changes from long time Manhattan/Bronx @SenatorSerrano representation to joining with Queens @SenGianaris 12 SD in proposed redistricting plan @GabrielPanek @kimmosc https://t.co/9LX6OIPQcn pic.twitter.com/FHT9pTmBfb

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) February 1, 2022

NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright will continue representing Roosevelt Island in the proposed redistricting.

Roosevelt Island stays in #76AD represented by @SeawrightForNY in NY State proposed Redistricting Map @kimmosc @GabrielPanek https://t.co/FV0lhsF3rv

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) February 1, 2022

See the full map at https://newyork.redistrictingandyou.org 

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney will continue representing Roosevelt Island in the proposed redistricting too.


See the full map at https://newyork.redistrictingandyou.org

NYC Congressional incumbents, like Rep. Carolyn Maloney and Rep. Adriano Espaillat, got districts that made their reelection more likely.https://t.co/7UBWH1Rcqs

— THE CITY (@THECITYNY) February 1, 2022

Learn more about the NY State legislative redistricting from the Brian Lehrer radio program

Up first: New York's got a brand new map of legislative districts, courtesy of Democrats in the State Senate. @SenGianaris joins to talk about the state's new electoral geography, and what it means for NYS politics.

Listen LIVE on @WNYC https://t.co/20NQjvN7re

— The Brian Lehrer Show and A Daily Politics Podcast (@BrianLehrer) February 1, 2022

and CBS New York.

UPDATE 10:30 PM - Senator Serrano will be missed on Roosevelt Island. He has been a forceful advocate for the interests of Roosevelt Island residents. 

He spoke about the importance of Roosevelt Island residents being appointmented to the RIOC Board at a September 30, 2021 Four Freedoms Democratic Club meeting.

Amazon Cancels Plan For Long Island City HQ Across East River From Roosevelt Island - Protesters Happy But What About The 25 Thousand Jobs Lost

Amazon announced today that they are abandoning its plan announced last November to develop a campus headquarters on the Long Island City East River waterfront - a short 5 minute ferry ride from Roosevelt Island - and their plan to create more than 25 thousand jobs on this site.



According to today's Amazon statement:

After much thought and deliberation, we’ve decided not to move forward with our plans to build a headquarters for Amazon in Long Island City, Queens. For Amazon, the commitment to build a new headquarters requires positive, collaborative relationships with state and local elected officials who will be supportive over the long-term. While polls show that 70% of New Yorkers support our plans and investment, a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project we and many others envisioned in Long Island City.

We are disappointed to have reached this conclusion—we love New York, its incomparable dynamism, people, and culture—and particularly the community of Long Island City, where we have gotten to know so many optimistic, forward-leaning community leaders, small business owners, and residents. There are currently over 5,000 Amazon employees in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island, and we plan to continue growing these teams.

We are deeply grateful to Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and their staffs, who so enthusiastically and graciously invited us to build in New York City and supported us during the process. Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio have worked tirelessly on behalf of New Yorkers to encourage local investment and job creation, and we can’t speak positively enough about all their efforts. The steadfast commitment and dedication that these leaders have demonstrated to the communities they represent inspired us from the very beginning and is one of the big reasons our decision was so difficult.

We do not intend to reopen the HQ2 search at this time. We will proceed as planned in Northern Virginia and Nashville, and we will continue to hire and grow across our 17 corporate offices and tech hubs in the U.S. and Canada.

Thank you again to Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and the many other community leaders and residents who welcomed our plans and supported us along the way. We hope to have future chances to collaborate as we continue to build our presence in New York over time.

Opponents of the Amazon Long Island City HQ were pleased including Long Island City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer

Defeating an anti-union corporation that mistreats workers and assists ICE in terrorizing immigrant communities is a victory. Defeating an unprecedented act of corporate welfare is a triumph that should change the way we do economic development deals in our city & state forever.

— Jimmy Van Bramer (@JimmyVanBramer) February 14, 2019

“When Amazon said we are anti-union, and we’re going to remain anti-union and we’re going to fight the rights of workers to organize, I think that was really something that broke them,” says @NYCCouncil’s @JimmyVanBramer about $AMZN canceling NYC plans. #CheddarLIVE pic.twitter.com/MadXRVN1zk

— Cheddar (@cheddar) February 14, 2019

Queens State Senator Mike Gianaris

My live press conference about Amazon backing out of LIC https://t.co/rC4ydtcJis

— Sen. Mike Gianaris (@SenGianaris) February 14, 2019

and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Rep. @AOC on Amazon: "We should not be giving away our infrastructure, our subway system, our schools, our teachers' salaries, our firefighters' budgets, to a company that has not shown good faith to New Yorkers. And we can ask for more because we deserve more." pic.twitter.com/LEDqb0gDhG

— Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) February 14, 2019

But these Long Island City businessmen favor the LIC Amazon HQ and are unhappy that Amazon is not going forward with the project.

The owner of @JohnBrownSmoke has choice words for @JimmyVanBramer re: #AmazonHQ2 pic.twitter.com/bjFyRcQqQi

— myles miller (@MylesMill) February 14, 2019

"This is, quite honestly, one of the saddest days in New York City's history." A Long Island City business owner told NY1's @MylesMill that it is "beyond crazy that there could be any situation where Amazon coming to New York could be viewed a negative by anybody." pic.twitter.com/ZWHISdfhLW

— Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) February 14, 2019

Governor Cuomo reacts:

Amazon chose to come to New York because we are the capital of the world and the best place to do business. We competed in and won the most hotly contested national economic development competition in the United States, resulting in at least 25,000-40,000 good paying jobs for our state and nearly $30 billion dollars in new revenue to fund transit improvements, new housing, schools and countless other quality of life improvements. Bringing Amazon to New York diversified our economy away from real estate and Wall Street, further cementing our status as an emerging center for tech and was an extraordinary economic win not just for Queens and New York City, but for the entire region, from Long Island to Albany's nanotech center.

However, a small group politicians put their own narrow political interests above their community -- which poll after poll showed overwhelmingly supported bringing Amazon to Long Island City -- the state's economic future and the best interests of the people of this state. The New York State Senate has done tremendous damage. They should be held accountable for this lost economic opportunity.

The fundamentals of New York's business climate and community that attracted amazon to be here - our talent pool, world-class education system, commitment to diversity and progressivism - remain and we won't be deterred as we continue to attract world class business to communities across New York State.

And Mayor de Blasio:

You have to be tough to make it in New York City. We gave Amazon the opportunity to be a good neighbor and do business in the greatest city in the world. Instead of working with the community, Amazon threw away that opportunity. We have the best talent in the world and every day we are growing a stronger and fairer economy for everyone. If Amazon can’t recognize what that’s worth, its competitors will.

Roosevelt Island and Long Island City Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney adds:

The deal could have been improved. There were legitimate concerns raised and aspects that I wanted changed. I was ready to work for those changes. But now, we won’t have a chance to do that and we are out 25K+ new jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in new investments. 2/

— Carolyn B. Maloney (@RepMaloney) February 14, 2019

I'll continue working with the residents of Queensbridge, Ravenswood, Astoria Houses, & Woodside and all #LIC & #NY12 to strengthen our economy & bring good paying jobs to NY. 4/4

— Carolyn B. Maloney (@RepMaloney) February 14, 2019

During the November 13 Amazon protest, Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos stated reasons for his objecting to the proposed Amazon LIC deal.



But, there are those 25 thousand good paying jobs.

"I think it's a loss both for New York and for Amazon," says Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks on the company's decision to back out of building a new headquarters in Long Island City https://t.co/EnppGOEHWc pic.twitter.com/mPta8Xffq0

— CNN Business (@CNNBusiness) February 14, 2019

Interesting points:

Amazon is abandoning Queens but says it's still committed, on some scale, to New York City. The lesson for policymakers: Big fancy companies will come to New York for free, but if we want a new downtown for Queens, we'll have to pay. https://t.co/3ATfWzgpkQ

— Josh Barro (@jbarro) February 14, 2019

and:

One factor that concerned Amazon executives was how activists in New York City broadened their attacks from the specifics of the deal to the company’s practices far beyond the five boroughs, on unions and working with ICE, per two people familiar with Amazon's decision.

— J. David Goodman (@jdavidgoodman) February 14, 2019

UPDATE 5;20 PM - And:

There is a financial literacy epidemic in America.

Quick lesson: NYC wasn’t handing cash to Amazon. It was an incentive program based on job creation, producing tax revenue.

There isn’t a $3 billion pile of money that can now be spent on subways or education.

— Andrew Ross Sorkin (@andrewrsorkin) February 14, 2019

UPDATE 7:30 PM - Reaction from Long Island City businesses and residents





Also,a report about the Amazon Effect on Seattle.

Queens Post Office Saved From Closing Says Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney But Still No Word On Roosevelt Island Post Office Status

Image From Queens Chronicle (Ms Maloney at Podium

According to the Queens Chronicle:

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan and Queens), state Sen. Mike Gianaris (D-Astoria), Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria) and a representative of Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) announced Wednesday that the Grand Station post office in Astoria will not be closed.

The United States Postal Service had the post office on its list of potential closings, but the elected officials responded after hearing an outpouring of concerns by residents. Maloney delivered a petition with over 1,000 signatures to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe.

“Because of the community and the hard work of the elected officials, we have kept this post office open,” Maloney said....

Click here for the entire Queens Chronicle article.

Congresswoman Maloney's office reports that the status of the Queens Post Office is unrelated to whether the Roosevelt Island Post Office will be closed or remain open and that the US Post Office advises Ms. Maloney's office that no NY County Post Office on the Study list for closure has been removed from the list yet including the Roosevelt Island Post Office.

During last night's Main Street Retail Town Hall Meeting, Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Matt Katz stated that 2000 signatures have been collected so far on RIRA's petition to keep the Roosevelt Island Post office open.

You can still sign the online petition to keep Roosevelt Island's Post office open. Here's the link. There may also be petitions available in your building lobby or just contact RIRA.

More information on the possible closing of the Roosevelt Island Post Office available from previous post.

Roosevelt Island Ferry Dock Gangway Installed, Service On Astoria Route Starts August 29 Says Mayor deBlasio - RI Resident Wished Mayor Mentioned Benefits To Beleaguered Residents Instead Of Concentrating On Cornell Tech

The Roosevelt Island Ferry Dock currently under construction just north of the Queensboro Bridge on the East River

is starting to take shape with the installation of the gangway connecting the dock to land.

Take a close up view of the Roosevelt Island Ferry Dock as of yesterday



and Frank Farance shows us the installation of the Gangway on Saturday in double speed.

Read more »