Architect Charles Gwathmey Dies....

Updated 8/5 at 9:05 a.m.for last paragraph

The noted architect Charles Gwathmey of Gwathmey, Siegel & Associates, died on Monday.

According to the NY Times, among the buildings he is attached to is "the 1,000-unit Northgate apartment complex on Roosevelt Island".

At 1000 units I am assuming the NYT is referring to Eastwood now Roosevelt Landings. Although my understanding is that Eastwood was designed by Sert, Jackson & Associates which I confirmed with Judy Berdy, President of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society.

Update: Judy provided yesterday evening the added detail that according to resources she has access to, Gwathmey connection to the island stopped at providing plans for Manhattan Park, which were never used due initially to lack of funds, and when the building complex was built the plans were again not used.

Urban American Posts YouTube Video re Roosevelt Landings

Urban American has posted a video commercial for Roosevelt Landings on YouTube depicting beautifully furnished apartments and views on Roosevelt Island. No mention regarding the current submetering situation or the quality of the heating systems or the ability of the apartments to retain the heat generated by the electricaly based systems.

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.

Eastwood Submetering Delayed due to PSC Motion to Stay

The State of New York Public Service Commission has issued an Order stayin g a previous order which granted Urban American permission to submeter and issue electric bills to the tenants of Roosevelt Landings (FKA Eastwood).

A large thank you should be sent to each of our elected representatives as well as their staffs, State Assembly Member Micah Kellner, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Borough President Scott Stringer, City Council Member Jessica Lappin and State Senator Jose Serrano.

The full text of the stay can HOPEFULLY be read by double clicking the below images:

Submetering at Roosevelt Landings (FKA Eastwood)

The New York Times ran a story yesterday about the submetering situation at Roosevelt Island's Eastwood complex, now known as Roosevelt Landings, and referred to the emergency meeting held on Saturday as well as the efforts of State Assembly Member Micha Kellner on behalf of the tenants affected.

The comments posted on this blog and others about this situation are amazingly scary. The article in this past weekends Main Street WIRE is a must read.

The issue of whether the heating systems and buildings are energy efficient on Roosevelt Island applies to each of the original WIRE buildings and the possibility of insane sub meter bills could be a possibility in each building. I live in Rivercross and I fully expect that if the building goes private, coming out of Mitchell Lama protections, that my apartment which has old and inefficient electric heaters will also be bound for direct electric bills.

The issues and resolution of the Roosevelt Landings electric bills are of interest to everyone in the original buildings and shoudl be followed closely. It is simply insane to expect many of the seniors in Eastwood to simply turnm down their heat during the daytime when many cannot leave their apartments.

Roosevelt Landings?

Urban American is in the process of premiering a new "Roosevelt Landings" website and a new advertising campaign to attract new Roosevelt Island tenants based on the two very large banners put up this past week facing Main Street. If there are more I have not yet seen them. At first I thought they read "Riverwalk" but that made no sense.

Obviously taking their cue from Riverwalk where the bigger the sign the bigger the hopes of attracting new families, Urban American decided the time must be right with all the young families coming to the island these past two weekends for the very successful Hudson / Related (i.e. Riverwalk) sponsored Roosevelt Island KidFest events held to date (according to my young children) and scheduled for the remaining two October weekends.

The website the banners direct viewers to is not yet operational and I admit the design of half letters is lost on me. More to come as we all see it. Does this mean Eastwood will no longer be Eastwood? Will Dick Lutz have to change the name of the Main Street WIRE to the Main Street WIRRL?

Season's First Scarecrows Sighted on Main Street

Every October scarecrows have been sighted along Roosevelt Island's Main Street. A few scarecrows have already popped up outside 510 Main Street. Will ghostly apparitions and ghouls follow? They usually do when these little guys come along. Enjoy a peek at last year's crop of scarecrows.

Lappin Contacts DOB re Eastwood Window Project

The Office of NYC Council Member Jessica Lappin (District 5 – D) has received a number of calls regarding the current Eastwood window project with respect to safety concerns where no construction sheds have been constructed.

According to Ms. Sarah Resnick Attia, Community Liaison for the Council Member, Ms. Lappin’s office has contacted DOB to look into the issue and has also spoken with Mr. Geofrrey Fishman, the managing g agent at Urban American to let him know that several constituents have filed complaints with the Council Member’s office regarding concerns at the site.

PSD Responds to Fire at 546 Main Street

Having survived a fire many years ago where I was rescued by firemen after I collapsed due to smoke inhalation I appreciate any opportunity to thank individuals who run into a fire to help others.

According to a report I received earlier today from PSD Director Keith Guerra, four of his officers responding to a smoke alarm report at 546 Main Street (Apt 1018) this past Saturday night at about 10:50 pm found that smoke was coming from Apartment 1016, the apartment of Woodrow Deas. Mr Deas was able to open his door and the four oficers entered and extinquished the fire which was located in the kitchen.

Along with Mr. Deas I would like to thank the following Officers: John Malone, Brian Rivera, Anthony Clemente and Nicholas Sach. Thank you gentlemen!

Images: Island House Main St. Passage

The above photo was taken on Friday evening, August 22, 2008 looking North from the start of the passageway by 510 Main Street. The full size version can be found on Flickr.

Pics: A Roosevelt Island Midsummer Night's Dream

Photos from Saturday's performance of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (Roosevelt Island, Eastwood Amphitheatre) are already showing on on Flickr. The above photos (1,2,3,4) are by Darks Adria. The play is again playing at 4pm this afternoon and is FREE.

Shakespeare This Weekend at the Eastwod Amphitheatre

This Saturday and Sunday afternoon the Eastwood Amphitheatre will come alive (at 4:00 pm each day) with the sights and sounds of Shakespeare with a production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Each performance is FREE. The shows are being sponsored by RIOC.

Q102 Bus Crashes into Column Outside Video/Hardware Store

[Updated 12:00 pm - Second Paragraph] Late last night, at approximately 10:00 pm, a NYC Q102 bus crashed into one of the columns outside the hardware / video / general store. The above picture is from RooseveltIsland10044.com where additional pictures can be found.

It is unknown at this time if there were any injuries to the passengers or driver of the Q102. The info that it was a Q102 (and not a RIOC Red Bus] is according to a member of Eastwood Maintenance staff. When Greg Goodman from RooseveltIsland10044.com was taking pictures and asked a PSD officer what happened the officer replied only that "a bus crashed" with no indication which bus type was involved. Upon calling the PSD office this morning I received a similiar response and I have sent an email into RIOC asking for additional information and confirmation.

Based on the view this morning it also looks like a portion of the ceiling above the column collapsed as well. According to the same maintenance staffer via the building super the residents of the Eastwood apartment immediately above did not need to be evacuated.

Update - 11:45 AM

According to Stephen Shane, President of RIOC, (1) the driver and passengers of the Q102 were uninjured, (2) according to MTA policy the driver was "taken away" for mandatory testing, (3) the NYC Department of Buildings examined the damage and determined that the damage was cosmetic as the column was not structural and the ceiling damage was also cosmetic.

The black and white photos are courtesy of RIOC.

City Comptroller Responds Regarding Kellner's Concerns at Eastwood

NYC Comptroller William Thompson has issued a letter to Assembly Member Micah Keller regarding concerns regarding Urban America’s management practices and issues concerning the tenants of the Eastwood apartment complex. Assembly Member Kellner had written the Comptroller as NYC pension funds had been invested in the City Investment Fund, Urban America’s partner in the purchase of the Putnam Portfolio which included Eastwood.



The New York Observer in September, 2007 reported on the City’s interest in CIF and possible concerns regarding affordable housing issues.

The full letter response can be read by double clicking the below image file.

Housing Forum on 2/7 at Good Shepherd Sponsored by State Sen. Jose M. Serano

One week from today State Senator Jose M. Serrano is sponsoring a Housing Forum to be held at the Church of the Good Shephered starting at 6:30 pm. The Church is located at 543 Main Street and is handicapped accessible. DHCR has confirmed that they will have representatives at the event as will Urban American, the Center for Independence of the Disabled. the Citywide Task Force on Housing Court as well as Legal Director Paul Kushner at EIS.

The event is co-sponsored by the Eastwood Residents Association and Eviction Intervention Services.

Roosevelt Island Mitchell-Lama Buildings Receive FMV Tax Equivalency Bills from State Despite City Resolution Extending Exemptions

This week just prior to its 30th anniversary the Rivercross Building on Roosevelt Island received a tax equivalency bill from the Empire State Development Corporation which could potentially increase monthly costs to each tenant by 45%. In addition to the Rivercross building both the Island House and the Westview buildings received similar tax equivalency bills. Such increases would destroy the affordability of these buildings to many of their tenants especially those on fixed incomes.

According to a flyer posted in its lobby, the Rivercross Board of Directors announced that if the tax bill stands it could force maintenance charges to increase by approximately 45% to cover this added cost to their building. Of the four original Mitchell-Lama buildings Rivercross is the only co-op building.

The ground lease issued to the Rivercross building provided that payments in lieu of real estate taxes would extend through 2007 the thirtieth anniversary of the issuance of the building’s certificate of occupancy. The ESDC is the successor in interest to the NYS Urban Development Corporation.

The tax bill received by Rivercross this week stated that the 30 year period had ended and that effective September 15, 2007, the buildings tax equivalency payments were increased to approximately $3.6 million per year.

The New York City Council in 2005 had passed Resolution 388-A granting real property tax exemptions for an additional 50 year period to private housing companies, including Mitchell-Lama buildings. According to the Rivercross flyer the list of applicable housing companies attached to the resolution included Rivercross. The resolution linked to here does not include that list. There had been some concern whether the City resolution applied to the Roosevelt Island buildings but in each building’s case local politician assured the buildings that as long as they stayed in the Mitchell-Lama program the resolution would be applicable to them and protect their tax status.

As reported in the most recent issue of the Main Street Wire, the Rivercross building announced its intent to formally notify the DHCR that it intended to leave the Mitchell-Lama program but no such filings have been made to date. As of today Rivercross still exists as a Mitchell-Lama property.

The Most Popular Roosevelt Island Playground: Grandpa Al Lewis

Roosevelt Island’s most popular playground does not have swings, it’s smaller than all the other playgrounds and because it has two non-gated exits parents or caregivers need to watch their child a little closer to make sure they don’t run out of it. Which playground am I talking about? The Grandpa Al Lewis Playground.

I don’t know the full history of how the playground came to be named after Grandpa only that it was named for him in the Fall of 2005 before he passed away in February 2006. I am also unsure what prompted this playground to be so honored. Either way the honor binds his name to a location that every kid on the Island knows and will generally pick above the other playgrounds.

First off let me first say this playground is not built for toddlers and unless school is in session I would not suggest letting a toddler wander through Al Lewis unattended or without your being very close by. The average age in the park runs from 4 / 5 year old through pre-teens who can at times be all running through playing chase, base, or whatever other games are now the rage.

The equipment by Game-Time includes a spiral slide, a double slide suited for younger children, as well as a number of features that encourage climbing. There is a wheel that has fascinated most of the kids I have seen encounter it where they all want to push pine needled into the wheels cavity which I am sure the manufacturer did not expect or plan for. Again as the equipment has several differing levels young children must be monitored as they are a number of locations / gaps where an unattended small child can fall.

The kids love this playground and on a Saturday morning or after school when there is no snow on the ground it’s rare that no kids are hanging around. The playground is centrally located on Main Street across from PS 217 and is bounded by Capobianco Field, the Paddle Ball Courts, and beyond the picnic tables the basketball court. For adults the playground offers four lengthy benches which are much appreciated by every adult I know who has visited this park as getting your charge to leave is never easy and if you have to wait “another five minutes” you might as well wait sitting down.

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If I had to characterize each of the island's other playgrounds it would be as follows:

The Octagon - Most Scenic - Great rock climbing walls & two defined play structures (one specifically for the younger set) - Four benches but in the gated area between playground sections (not great for those quick need to catch / hold them moments. Newest and largest structures.

Manhattan Park - Best View of Manhattan - No sun protection on a sunny day, best in the AM before the sun rises over the adjoining buildings. Great slat bridge and a cute built in piano complete with four number coded tunes. Plenty of slides. One or two adult benches. Watch out for the child exit "hole" at the park's North end. Stairs left over from prior park designs - annoying when with strollers. They need to open up water side gate and close the current gate.

Riverwalk - Best for Toddlers - The only park with swings (2 baby, 2 standard) - Also best park for toddler digging area by the trees. Four adult benches. View of Keyspan not too inviting but great view of 59th Street Bridge.

There are also two or three other small playgrounds which are known more as apartment defined which generaly parents don't seek out unless you live in taht building. Two are adjoining to Manhattan Park buildings. One of which is by a garbage area which makes no sense. The last stand alone playground is within the Island House courtyard.

The Eastwood Castle Playground - slated for demolition - Great visual design but the cement construction lent itself to plenty of scrapes and bruises. The adjoining hybrid wood playground equipment was situated to close and kids in the past coming off the Castle's wide slide would slam into the apparatus. Once demolished RIOC is planning to install a Game-Time apparatus of yet unknown design and theme. The sprayground is expected to remain.

The Former Lillies School Playground (between the Castle and Main Street) - The two pieces of aparatus in this small area should be demolished. They are not kept up and invariably due to flooding always have puddles of sitting water nearby. The wall surrounding this equipment does not allow parents or children a clear view into or out of the area.

The Eastwood Halloween Scarecrows

I am unsure how many years these scarecrows have been forewarning of the annual Roosevelt Island Halloween parades but each year it is said that certain nights you might just see one of these scarecrows move from their appointed place to take a stroll down Main Street.

Owner of 510 Main Street Funded Partially by City / State Pension Funds

Today’s New York Observer reports on an analysis by the Urban Homesteading Association Board, which found that a city and state pension group, are investors in the City Investment Fund. The City Investment Fund along with Urban American purchased a series of old affordable housing complexes including 510 Main Street (per an earlier May 1st article). It was originally thought that the purchase of 510 Main Street and other Harlem properties was entirely private.

The article focuses on the concerns of individuals like Bill Thompson, the city comptroller, who is both an investment adviser and a trustee for the Employees Retirement System, whether the pension groups have invested in a real estate company that might drive rents up and force poor tenants out in formerly public housing units.

An interesting pair of articles to read. Moreso if you are a Roosevelt Island resident that lives at 510 Main Street.

The Tempest Storms into Roosevelt Island

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

On Saturday evening, August 11, 2007, I was able to attend about the first half hour of The Tempest staged at the Eastwood Amphitheatre at home on Roosevelt Island. I should be upfront that I have never been a big fan of Shakespeare and probably last read and attended a play by him back in college.

I am in no way qualified to critique the performance and I will not try to do so here. But as a fan of home grown productions I can say I enjoyed each minute I attended this production.

I had been told by island residents with far more years than I that any production given at the Amphitheatre especially without amplification is doing so at their own peril. I can say that the players did very well in this regard despite what my inadequate camera picked up for sound. My short video provided above showcases a few of the players and I only wish I could have taped more and showcased their talents here for those not able to attend.

Julie White as producer should be congratulated as well should be Michael Flanagan the director of this production as they battled the possibility of being rained out on Friday, August 10th but they hung on and gave their all by all reports despite the drop in temperature that evening. They had a much better evening on Saturday night and I am sure the players were thankful for it. The crowd appeared very much into the performance.

I can say that almost any production or cultural event I have attended here on Roosevelt Island has been well supported by the community and that is a credit to RIRA and the organizations putting on these events. As this play was an experiment I can say from an outsiders point of view it was a success and I expect we will be seeing future productions from this group.