Interestingly I cannot turn on the sound if there is any. Direct YouTube link. Posted by phanat81. I think this woudl be infinitely more interesting if they captured the actual audio or posted their comments or interviews of those they met along their journies.
Showing posts with label Infrastructure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Infrastructure. Show all posts
Monday, January 26, 2009
Video: Roosevelt Island - I Cubed
Interestingly I cannot turn on the sound if there is any. Direct YouTube link. Posted by phanat81. I think this woudl be infinitely more interesting if they captured the actual audio or posted their comments or interviews of those they met along their journies.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Public Projects Need a Strong Transportation Infrastructure
On Friday, the New York Times published an article about the ongoing effort to bring a memorial to Roosevelt Island for FDR in the form of a public park. I was quoted for two points (1) that the Louis Kahn design which calls for trees on both sides of the park will block the 360 degree views of Manhattan and Queens and (2) that the island would be inundated by visitors. This second point is what I want to address here as I did in my discussion with Mr. Beyer, the Times Reporter, as my point had a bit more to it than what was published.
Yes I am concerned about how many visitors might come to the island. I hope a lot of visitors come to the island and all stop by the local RIHS Visitors Center, the local Strabucks, Duane Reade and Nonnos as well as hopefully further North on Main Street. My concern is not whether the island can handle the increased visitors but more specifically whether our transportation infrstructure can.
In the coming year the Roosevelt Island Tram is scheduled to be taken off line for several months, some expect a year, to be basically reconstruct the entire Tramway system, from new cables, new cabins, new mechanical systems, everything. The question will be whether this new Tram and the existing subway service will be able to handle not only the increase in tourists but the continued residential expansion of the island.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
For Selfish Reasons: My View
As a Roosevelt Island based blogger I have written extensively about my concerns that overdevelopment of the island will overburden our infrastructure etc etc. But I will admit also that a resident I have no problem with Hudson / Related slowing their development of their Riverwalk Southtown complex if it means I get to keep the one scenic view my apartment has of the Queensboro Bridge.
It is a foregone conclusion that when Buildings 7, 8, and 9 are built my view will be gone forever so if a slowing economy delays any ground breakings and steel from being erected between the Riverwalk Toddler playground and Firefighters Field I will not argue or feel bad for the developer, or any prospective tenants, as it will allow me a few more months of being able to look out my window and see my sliver of the 59th Street Bridge.
Sure I am still concerned about the number of future residents overrunning our subway and tram but for now I ask is it selfish of me to wish these buildings never get built just because I want to keep my view? You bet.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Octagon Residents Report Increased DEP Activity at NYC Water Tunnel #3 Site
According to postings on the Octagon residents’ bulletin board it appears that the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) may be gearing up its operations here on Roosevelt Island. The island is host to Water Tunnel # 3, Shaft 15B. For anyone familiar with the project the site is somewhat controversial as it will be acting as chlorination point for at least the segment of the water tunnel that proceeds under our Island.
“I’m just curious and I may just be in the dark completely cause I don’t read the news- but what is about to be built by those trailers in the back by the church(south)- it looks like they are finally about to start building something.”
“at least six of the blue rectangles are large portable liquid tanks, and they are being bolted up to a set of big pipes and valves. in addition, it looks like they are grading the ground for the truck access road. so it would seem they are getting ready to store sodium hypochlorite over there- I have a call in to the DEP to confirm this, but haven't heard back.”
“i;m mainly curious if they still plan on installing large light towers along the fence, and how often and what times of day they plan on large trucks rumbling by the building. i'd also like to know what they are doing to contain any spills - besides let it run down our driveway into the playground!”
The two most recent Main Street WIRE articles regarding the site dealt with safety issues (December 2, 2006) and with the size of the land required for security reasons around the entrance shaft (July 1, 2006). The above map is courtesy of the WIRE and is from the July 1, 2006 issue.
Update: 1:00 pm
Timing is everything. Apparently RIOC visited the DEP site this morning and they also saw this blog. According to RIOC President Stephen Shane:
"The project is to be able to pump excess water from the tunnel as it leaks in from groundwater sources, treat it for salinity and turbidity so that it is suitable to discharge into the river. It is not a superchlorination site."
Mr. Shane indicated that the DEP is sending RIOC a project description which once received will be made available.
Now I must admit I am confused as the WIRE articles, linked above, did refer to the site being used for chlorination purposes. This post was certainly not made to raise the alarm bells but merely to report what our neighbors up at the Octagon noted in their back yard.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
What is Fast Becoming a Typical Line for the Tram
My fellow blogger, the Roosevelt Islander, ran a post yesterday, Feb. 26th, discussing various reader responses and web commentary about living here on Roosevelt Island. Many of the comments are about issues regarding the lack of retail establishments and local entertainment venues, the quality of the existing businesses, and transportation issues.
In the past weeks I responded to a few web based inquiries, on Wired New York, where I focused again on transportation issues as well as to really get a feeling for a particular building here you need to speak to as many people that you can meet from that building.
I have often repeated my concerns regarding not so much the on-island transportation Red Bus issue but more in regard to getting to and from the island. With five new buildings either under construction or planned I periodically worry about whether the current subway / tram infrastructure we have can handle the growing traffic.
The above video is of what is becoming a pretty typical line to board the Tram during rush hour. Very often you can end up missing one tram and needing to wait for the next one. At only 4 to 6 minutes between arrivals and departures it moves pretty quick but where this video was shot in the Summer waiting in the cold gets old quite fast when the Winter winds are blowing in your face.
Friday, October 5, 2007
In The Paper – Main Street Wire – Sat. Oct. 6, 2007
The headlines of tomorrow’s paper, available now online, linked HERE on line, are as follows:
> RIOC Has Four Tram Options, From $6 million to $21 million
> Inspector General Slams DHCR Work Under Pataki
> 15 Years On, Icla da Silva Foundation Looks Back to RI’s Love Thy Neighbor
> Lappin Gets City’s $1.5 Million for Southpoint Park
This issue also includes articles on Housing Trends by Robert Chira; a story about islander Leandra Ramm; and a recap of his past weekend’s Run for Congo Women.
Tram Rumor Update: Shift to Separate Systems - Work to Begin 2009
Rumors of the Tram's demise were too early as expected. The latest "news" is of splitting the single clothesline system into two with work commencing in 2009. This according to one operator this morning on the tram. One consideration was that with independent systems that the system would not have to shift to hourly service upon scheduled maintenance.
As discussed in the last Main Street Wire a shift to a dual system would not result in demonstrably greater percentage of riders moved than currently but it would perhaps give the system more flexibility. More later as its reported.
Either way, according to this operator, the system would require at least 6 months offline to convert over and between changing the cables and slicing off the tower tops and replacing the track leaders it is more likely that the system will be offline for nine months or more.
As discussed in the last Main Street Wire a shift to a dual system would not result in demonstrably greater percentage of riders moved than currently but it would perhaps give the system more flexibility. More later as its reported.
Either way, according to this operator, the system would require at least 6 months offline to convert over and between changing the cables and slicing off the tower tops and replacing the track leaders it is more likely that the system will be offline for nine months or more.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Roosevelt Island: Infrastructure vs Development: The Chicken or the Egg?
In this video three Columbia University students look at two age old questions and use Roosevelt Island as part of the question. The questions asked are (1) Does Landuse define Bboundary, or Does Boundary define Landuse? and (2) Does Infrastructure follow Development, or does Development follow Infrastructure? An interesting video.
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