Tram to ReOpen Tomorrow Nov. 30th

Believe it or not the Roosevelt Island Tram (at least one cabin anyway) is set to reopen tomorrow Tuesday, November 30, 2010. We will believe it when we are on it.

A Stairway to Heaven Returned

Quite quietly escalator ES416 returned to service this week at the Roosevelt Island subway station connecting the lower mezzanine to the upper mezzanine. It was slated to reopen September 19th a date that came and was gone with no fan fare or explanation as to why service had not been restored. The escalator had been taken out of service I believe in early to mid July from what I recall.

No big fuss was made by this blog as generally ES415 right next to it was up and running most days allowing riders to make their way up towards street level (or at least half way there).

All I can say is we generally take the escalators for granted until that time or two when they are out and you are carrying more bags than you would want to climbing the steps out after a long day.

Does this post have any real point other than to thank the MTA for finally finishing this project? Not really.

New Tram: Swinging Singles or Stable Studebakers ?

Like many Roosevelt Island residents we have been watching POMA and RIOC test out the new Tram cabins back and forth across the East River.

They are being touted as more stable and certainly the double hangar system on each tram would appear to support the concept of greater stability.

But from what I have been seeing they seem to be swinging a lot more than the old cabins from front to back as they make the platform. Perhaps this is operator controlled and will settle down with the weight of 110 passengers but it has been interesting to watch.

Out of Service But Under Construction?

Has anybody actually seen Escalator ES 416 at the Roosevelt Island subway station (F Train) being worked on by an MTA escalator repair crew? The escalator connecting the lower mezzanine to the upper mezzanine has been out of service for at least 2 to 3 weeks already but I have yet to see any work being done.

One morning I saw a few workers taking measurements but that was it. As long as the adjoining escalator ES 415 is working for rush hours allowing travelers to avoid walking up the steps we are ok. But it does get crowded sometimes. I can't complain too much but was curious to ask if during off hours anyone has seen work?

Bridge Closed Late Nights July 7 - 10

According to the above NYC Department of Transportaion notice the Roosevelt Island Bridge will be closed during the overnight hours of 12:30am to 5:30am Tuesday July 7th through Friday July 10th.

According to the notice (double click to enlarge) the Tram will operate on a half hour schedule during the bridge closure. No word yet whether extra emergency personnel will be stationed on the island during the affected hours as was put into place during the last closure.

Rendering - New Manhattan Tram Station

RIOC via Steve Shane has made public the first proposed rendering of the new Manhattan Roosevelt Island Tram station.


------Original Message------
From: Steve Shane
To: Roosevelt Island 360
Sent: May 12, 2009 3:51 PM
Subject: Re: Sketch Manhattan Tram Station

Does have a retractable roof look, but it does not retract. We must stay within the envelope of the present station or get into real difficulties with the Parks Dept. Functionally, interior will be much the same as the present station. There will be platform doors protecting the bays and we're trying to reorganize the exits to be more centrally positioned onto 2nd Avenue, but otherwise the same. Budget is very limiting.

A Changing of the Banner Size Rental Apartment Ads....

I will admit I did not notice that two weeks ago the Manhattan Park ads that adorned the Manhattan Tram Station were removed. But I certainly noticed the Riverwalk ads go up. The ads facing Second Ave and incoming bridge traffic moved from the balcony level down to street level and you can't help but see the ads as you walk by.

Upon inquiring whether we should expect to see additional ads (thinking now both Manhattan Park and the Riverwalk ads) were permament features of the structure I asked Steve Shane, President of RIOC, about future plans for the station and concerns re overcommercializing the space. He stated:

The instant ad banner is temporary and will be taken down when the Tram closes July 6. You may remember that there were Manhattan Park banners on the station for the last several years which were only removed 2 weeks ago. It is to everyone's benefit to promote the success of Riverwalk. Overcommercializing the space will not occur. See billboards and other display ads on the surrounding buildings.

We are working on the design of the new Tram station which will not have the same dreary presentation as the present terminal. Be patient.

Stephen H. Shane
President & CEO
Roosevelt Island Operating
Corp.

So while we will miss the Tram station this Summer I am betting I am not alone in not missing these new signs.

Bridge Update: First Night Closed Without Incident

From Steve Shane (RIOC President): "The bridge was closed to traffic as scheduled at 12:30AM April 16 and reopened to traffic at 4:40 AM. Note that Pedestrians were allowed to cross the bridge at 3:45 AM. Emergency services (NYPD, NYFD and EMS) units were all on station and the Tram and Red Bus ran throughout the night during the closure. There were no reported incidents.

The next bridge closure is scheduled for April 17 from 12:30 AM to 5:30 AM, weather permitting. "

Was the Bridge Open or Closed Last Night ?

Confirmation:
Due to rain last night's scheduled closure was put off. We should expect the scheduled closure to be in effect unless notified otherwise. [via Denise Lynch of RIOC].

Original Posting:
I sent an inquiry regarding last night's planned bridge closure to Roosevelt Island PSD Director Keith Guerra to learn if the preparations all worked out as planned but have not heard back from his office yet.

According to a post on NYC Fire.net the closure may have been delayed a day. RIOC's Steve Shane had indicated in prior emails that the rain may cause delays hence all the extra days of scheduling.

RI Bridge Closure 4/15-17 & 4/21-22: Emergency Preparedness

Double Click Image to Enlarge.

Times affected 12:30 am to 5:30 am

------Original Message------

From: Steve Shane

To: Roosevelt Island 360
To: Roosevelt Islander
To: Dick Lutz / The Main Street WIRE
Cc: Fernando Martinez
Cc: Keith Guerra
Cc: Tom Turcic

Sent: Apr 7, 2009 5:26 PM

Subject: Bridge Closure

You have all received a copy of the DOT Notice of Bridge Closure.

1. It is absolutely necessary.

2. The Fire Department will station an engine (pumper) and a ladder truck on the Island during the outage to respond to any emergencies. In addition, there will be a fireboat available to deliver additional personnel if a big emergency occurs. An engine company (with 5 firemen) will be at the Vernon Ave. end of the Bridge to provide additional bodies as needed.

3. The Fire Dept. (EMS) will station an ambulance on the Island and an ambulance at the Vernon Ave end of the bridge. In the event of a medical emergency, the victim will be treated and taken to the RI end of the bridge and conveyed on a gurney to the other side where the other ambulance will be waiting to transport. In addition to the 4 EMS persons, there will be the 5 firemen there to assist. If the bridge is completely impassable (one of the procedures will require it to be 6'-8' above the connecting streets), then transport will have to be by Tram to a waiting ambulance on Manhattan side.

4. RIOC will run the Tram all night on 1/2 hour intervals (except in emergency) with the Red bus to match up. The Subway (F Train) should be available.

5.Only 2 nights are needed, and if the weather permits, the later nights will not be required. Steelworkers union contract and OSHA rules do not permit workers on exposed iron surfaces at heights when it is raining.

6. NYPD is also likely to station a squad car on the Island to assist.

We have coordinated all of this with NYPD, NYFD, EMS, DOT, HHC, etc. A necessary evil, but we should get through it. Please try to quell the hysterics.

Stephen H. Shane
President & CEO
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp.

Riverwalk Rappelling Club on Roosevelt Island

In an effort to provide increased services and amenities, Hudson / Related has started a rappelling club at the Riverwalk complex on Roosevelt Island in the hope that it will induce a greater number of individuals to buy condos at the newest two buildings still under construction.

To see the pictures by "grantrjones" of club members in action you link here to the photos on Flickr.

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The pictures had been posted here but were removed at the request of "grantrjones" as they were posted here without permission in error.

63rd Street Tunnel Subway Stations No Longer MTA Newest

Since October 28, 1989, the stations that make up the 63rd Street Tunnel extension, including Lex/63rd , Roosevelt Island, and 21st St Queensbridge had the distinction of being the newest stations in the NYC Transit Authority subway system. That answer is no longer accurate.

Today the MTA opened up a new station at South Ferry replacing the old one. One less trivia question where Roosevelt Island is the answer.

Raised Subway Platforms for Wheelchairs

The Roosevelt Islander in a post this afternoon answered a question I raised to a spokesperson from the MTA but from whom I had not received an answer: "What was the purpose of the continuing platform construction at the Roosevelt Island subway station on both the Queens Bound and Manhattan Bound Platforms?"

According to Steve Shane via the Roosevelt Islander:

"The MTA is working on the platforms to eliminate the "gap" for the handicapped. The raised platform area is in the middle of each platform so that the handicapped may be observed by the conductor who controls the doors. The project is not yet finished, but is ongoing to get tile, etc. suitable for the job, plus signage and public notice. "

While I think the goal is a great one and obviously needed the location is at the thinnest point of the entire platform. So either a wheelchair waits in the waiting area in the foreground of the above picture and zips to this new boarding area or the individual waits in this boarding area potentially adding to the narrowness of this segment of the platform.

It's no ones fault that the center of the train just happens to line up here but it has the potential to be annoying for all parties. But at least the issue of the gap between the platforms and the train doors is being addressed allowing individuals to actually board the subway where before for a number of individuals they woudl need assistance to simply roll into a subway car.

Caution: Playground under Construction Despite Access

I went down to the new Roosevelt Island playground (former Castle playground site) that is behind / between Blackwell House and Eastwood and noted that while the site is obviously not complete that the fencing is horribly insufficient to prevent children from playing on the site exposing them to risk of injury.

While I was there a group of kids ran through and they themselves moved the portable fencing (as shown below) allowing greater access to the site.

There currently are exposed cement edge surfaces by the tables (which themselves are not yet anchored properly) that pose risks in addition to the small mountain of loose wood chips that is sitting along side of the new climbing apparatus just waiting for kids to slide under the unfinished structure. As well as several holes that have yet to be filled in completely.

I will admit I am also concerned how close the play area comes to the water / sprayground area. I would have hoped for some sort of buffer area. It is also unclear as to whether the wood chips will be the final play surface or wehther some sort of rubberized cushion surface wil be installed on top of the wood chips. Was thrilled to see the new swings though.

I have made an inquiry into RIOC to see if the site can be better secured in the period before it is completed and rated as safe for the island's kids. Makes no sense that it was left this open.

Blog Claims Development Plans Afoot to Demolish BOTH Coler & Goldwater

Update 3:30pm - Fri Jan 30th

It was noted by the Roosevelt Islander in an email to me that the guys over at Smart Growth removed not only the above and below renditions but all mention of the project name "Transforming Roosevelt Island".

Update 5:28pm

According to Ben Cuddy at Smart Growth, their source is someone working directly on developing the TRI Project ("Transforming Roosevelt Island") and cannot be revealed at this time as "its still a work in progress". Cuddy promises to update his blog as time goes on.

According to RIOC President Stephen Shane there are no new plans that he knows of to develope these sites (per the Roosevelt Islander this evening).

Original Post

The blog "Smart Growth" is asserting today that a plan called "Transforming Roosevelt Island" is being developed to demolish both Coler and Goldwater Hospitals. The gist of the blog post asserts the plan makes no sense. According to Smart Growth, Coler would be rebuilt but both locations would involve the construction of a total of 2400 new residential units.

No source for the statement that the plan is cited nor for the source of the renderings posted on their site and here.

From all indications we as residents have from NYC and NYC the City is not actively looking at this and this issue was closed (for the moment).

Per Smart Growth:

The State is calling this scheme “Transforming Roosevelt Island”(TRI). However, anything the State has done in regards to transforming RI has been shortsighted, only looking to increase "the potential to achieve 'best value' and increased returns on public investment." Again, in this case the State is shortsighted. Before adding two more developments to the Island the State should fix the transportation situation, which still is a problem, and fix the defunct commercial leasing practice that has plagued the island for to long. What they should not do, which they are, is claiming that RI is a good transportation oriented development that would help knit Queens and Manhattan together. Anyone with knowledge of NYC knows that RI is not the best way to connect the two boroughs. Rather, improved subway and bus service would connect the two boroughs better than new developments on Roosevelt Island.

Has Brooklyn Paid Roosevelt Island for our Granite?

Stop. Thief! Has Brooklyn Heights paid for the Roosevelt Island granite it plans to use in the construction of a new staircase for its East River Promenade park? We actualy want our granite back. Supposedly an FDR memorial is to be built on our island and we want to help reduce their costs by using our own granite.

So Brooklyn give us back our granite or pony up the bucks!

The mystery is when did Brooklyn grab our granite? And what is the article talking about where it refers to a rescue of the granite from the old Roosevelt Island Bridge? That bridge is still standing? Did someone steel the brick from its foundations? Are we in danger just to help some folks go down a stair. These are important questions.

I first brought up this travesty of justice back in October yet no response from Brooklyn has been received?

River Road Water Main Shut Down This Friday 11/28

Picture Courtesy the Roosevelt Islander.

According to an e-mail circulated by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, this coming Friday Nov 28th, residents of Manhattan Park will find their water turned off due to a scheduled repair of the water main outside 40 River Road.

In addition to Manhattan Park, water will be turned off at PS / IS 217, Gristedes and the Motorgate Garage Complex. Residents are being warned that the shut off could last from 8 hours to 24 hours.

The above picture courtesy the Roosevelt Islander was from a Nov 17th post where construction related to AVAC repairs blocked off River Road.

Community Board 8 Mtg Tonight re Tram Overhaul

Manhattan Community Board 8's Transportation Committee is sponsoring a public hearing this evening, starting at 7:00 pm, regarding the Roosevelt Island Tram. The discussion per the flyer abovce is to focus on the contract and construction plans for the Tram.

As opposed to many past CB8 meetings this hearing is NOT at the NY Blood Center but will be held at the Hunter College School of Social Work located at 129 East 79th Street in their auditorium.

Escalator Update: ES 412/415 Almost Open

The barriers are down and Roosevelt Island resident can see the gleaming new escalators installed as ES 412 and ES 415 but residents don't yet have acess as the yellow gates in these photos can attest to. I saw first hand yesterday evening the tease awaiting the morning rush hour commuters.

Except for the pics from the street level taken by myself each of the following pics is provided courtesy of Judy Berdy of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society. As noted by the Roosevelt Islander the MTA escalator and elevator outage page still lists this escalator set as under construction. Unfortunately that same MTA page lists EL 404, the Queens Bound elevator as out of service which I also noticed tonight from the platform level.

Update: Up and Down Escalators !!!

As of this morning Roosevelt Island has two sets of operational escalators, up (ES 413/416) and down (ES 411/414), from the street level to the lower mezzanine. Cool.