New Juice Business for Roosevelt Island

A new retail business started up this week on Roosevelt Island and it again is in Southtown / Riverwalk escaping the public authorities issues surrounding the empty storefronts on Main Street.

The business will be starting slow, opening a few days a week, and only a few hours each day. It’s young owners are balancing their education requirements as well as family life so you can forgive them if they start small. You will find their stand at the East end of Riverwalk Commons between the small bike rack and the Japanese restaurant. As noted on the shirt of one of the owners their location is right off the F Train.

They will be open, as per their original business plan, on Wednesdays and Friday evenings from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm and all day on Saturdays. All hours are contingent on the prevailing weather that day as well as who has not finished their homework at least until the school year officially closes.

The business has yet to decide on one name but they will be offering Sweet Lemonade or Slightly Sour Lemonade depending on that day's lemon shipment. Juice will be offered at $1 a cup but this blogger bets they will negotiate depending on the volume purchased.

No word yet how the young entrepreneurs expect to spend their profits or rather if they plan to reinvest in the business perhaps at an additional location further North on the island.

The youngsters probably recognize they are not the first to start a lemonade stand on Roosevelt Island so they may or may not realize this is a purely seasonal business. So if you are thirsty stop on by now while the stand is open.

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Note: The blogger is not related to this new business or its owners in any way and himself found the stand by accident and through his own thirst for a good cup of lemonade.

Bike Rack Enforcement to Begin Tonight at 2am

A reminder to all Roosevelt Island residents who have been "storing" your bikes on the Riverwalk bike racks that RIOC is still planning to start their enforcement of no overnight parking tonight.

So make sure before you go to bed to remove those bikes or tomorrow you will find your chains cut and your bikes in temporary storage. After two days the last plan I heard was bikes not retrieved from storage will be given to the Thift Shop.

Bike Rack Update - Only Tram & Subway Racks Affected

Updated 5:50pm

Stephen Shane, President of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, according to a report on the Roosevelt Islander, has stated that the enforcement of the overnight bike parking ban will ONLY apply to the racks outside the subway and tram.

It appears based on the below response that the Southtown bike rack facing Queens on New Main Street will also be included in the overnight ban as RIOC believes it close enough to the subway to qualify. In subsequent e-mails, Mr. Shane indicated his belief that because the two sets of Riverwalk racks are so close that residents who are just clogging the racks would just do so as well at the rack near the Japanese restaurant.

Apparently this all began based in part on the requests of the Riverwalk developers to RIOC. It has been pointed out to me that perhaps some of the bikes parked outside are outside as opposed to their being parked inside interior Riverwalk bike rooms that are available to residents only for a fee.

Conclusion: No Southtown - Riverwalk Commons bike racks are safe to park at overnight.

------Original Message------
From: Steve Shane
To: Roosevelt Island 360
Cc: Keith Guerra
Sent: May 15, 2009 4:51 PM
Subject: Re: Bike rack by Japanese Restaurant ?

Safe? I would not recommend leaving a bicycle overnight. Isn't the rack by the Japanese restaurant close enough to the subway and visible enough so that the same reasons apply? Your fellow residents are the originators of this initiative. "Eyesore", "hogging available space to discourage others who would use their bikes", propagates chaining to street signs and other inappropriate places. The Southtown commons is not supposed to be a storage area.

------Original Message------
From: Roosevelt Island 360
To: Steve Shane
Sent: May 15, 2009 4:33 PM
Subject: Re: Bike rack by Japanese Restaurant ?

Steve, I read your response to Rick that only the subway and tram racks will be enforcing the overnight ban. I presume the Southtown rack by the Japanese Restaurant is safe for overnight parking? At least for now?

Thank you,

Eric

Roosevelt Island: Land WITH Dogs and Their Poop

My how times have changed on Roosevelt Island. Just a few short years ago dogs were close to outlawed as parodied in the below movie but now pooches are almost encouraged based on the presence of conveniences like the above dog poop bag dispenser, pictured here at Southtown's Riverwalk Commons. This is the only poop bag dispenser I have seen anywhere on the island so this may be just a Riverwalk thing.

See the next post regarding an alternative use for the waste bags in light of the dispenser's location.

Resident Profile: Hiromi Asai, Kimono Dresser & Instructor

Yesterday's New York Times included a great article about resident Hiromi Asai who is a certified Kimono dressing instructor and works from her Southtown Roosevelt Island apartment.

ROOSEVELT L!VE - Full Schedule Released

Double Click to Enlarge

The folks who are putting together ROOSEVELT L!VE have put out the full schedule of groups to play at Roosevelt Island's Riverwalk Commons from May 23rd through September 5th and it looks like it will be a busy 15 weeks of concerts. Not being anything remotely close to being a hipster I have no clue as any of these groups are. I will be honest I am glad I don't live facing the Commons area.

Nonno's, Duane Reade, and Starbucks should clean up quite nicely with that amount of foot traffic. You have to give Hudson / Related credit for doing all they can to bring foot traffic to the island to see their new buildings and hopefully set up apartment tours. Maybe after the concerts the visitors can even schedule some rappelling time down the sides of the buildings.

I just hope the MTA holds to its goal of not disrupting weekend subway service while the tram is off line. Kudos to the concert promoters for highlighting the F Train service.

Roosevelt Island KidFest - October 2008

Roosevelt Island KidFest 2008. The concept of holding a weekly children's event on the commons at Southtown's Riverwalk complex is pretty cool. I am guessing many island parents will be taking full advantage of the events and lending their families as extras towards enticing new families to move here.

The big question for Hudson / Related is how many families from off island can the event attract. Certainly the exposure in Time Out New York Kids and Big City Moms will help and especially by booking groups each week that many families know and follow.

Seems like a win win to everybody. While I heartily support the events and will be out with my own kids I still have great concerns about over development on this island and the effects on our infrastructure. I also wonder what current tenants at the Riverwalk 3 and 4 will think about giving up their October Saturdays for all the hoopla outside their windows.

Putting aside all this hum bug I invite all readers off island to come and visit as this is a great place to spend the day, and these events look like a lot of fun, and as a "young" family we are enjoying living here very much.

News Shorts: Blackwell House, Southtown Retail, & Tram Towers

Blackwell House - As first reported by the Roosevelt Islander last week the historic island landmark had suffered some window damage possibly due to vandalism. This week there is a reliable report that one of the exterior doors to the building may have been subject of a separate incident where a vandal or burglar was attempting to push their way into the structure. Perhaps its time that RIOC stepped up whatever plans it has for the landmark as increased official activity, or perhaps some sort of full time presence (i.e. a tenant, or caretaker), might help deter further vandalism.

Riverwalk Retail - Snazzy new signage at Southtown indicating what stores exist. The plaza isn't exactly so big you can't see every store's sign from where this sign is sitting but they are still cool. Does the presence of two open slots indicate the last remaining space will be subdivided into two retail establishments. Can the name "Riverwalk" be placed upon any more signage? Perhaps it can be mowed into the weave of the grass so that residents can see it from their apartments above.

Last Weeks Tram Tower Project - For those of you that were wondering what the men in the orange jump suits were doing climbing throughout the towers they were absolutely not cage bungee jumping. The news according to Armando Cordova, Tram Operations Director, was that these individuals were "performing structual assessments" as well installing "transducers" that would collect information that will allow "computer models" to be developed to determine allowable stress levels which will be needed for next year's tram modernization project". Interesting information but it was more fun to think that the orange men were in fact practicing for a new Summer olympic sport.

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.

No Parking Spots? Blame Zip Car Event

This morning while walking on my way to the Tram I noticed that Zip Car had taken up three to four spots on Main Street down by Southtown. I am assuming this is just for temporary promotion purposes. For RIOC and PSD to agree to give up these spots when parking is already tight on this island would make no sense.

According to Keith Guerra, Director of Public Safety, the spots used by Zip Car have not been permanently assigned to them. So for now SouthTowners excited about the possibility of vehicles being available nearby will continue to need to go up to the Octagon to rent these vehicles.

Local Roosevelt Isle Starbucks Spared

The full list of the 600 Strabucks locations nationwide was released yesterday, 07/17/2008, and it did not include the local Roosevelt Island Starbucks.

It is unknown if this location is making a profit or not but either way it is not being closed.

A full list of the NYC locations being closed is provided below and the entire list of nationwide closings can be found in PDF format HERE. Thanks to reader Daniel Chen for sending me a link regarding the announcement.

Gothamist: Starbucks to Close 600 Stores

It is being reported today on Gothamist that Starbucks will be closing 600 stores nationwide. It is unknown if the Roosevelt Island branch will be part of those closings.

So if you value your [overpriced] latte I suggest you continue your spending at the local venue to show your support for this location.

Riverwalk Signage Simply Unneighborly or Possibly Illegal ?

The folks at Hudson Related have in the last few days erected a new sign advertising the Riverwalk complex on Roosevelt Island. My question is whether the signage is just unneighborly as it is too large for the area and we have to see it each time we take the Tram onto the island or does it cross the line and is actually illegal?

New York City via the Department of Buildings defines that signage that is classified as advertising is illegal if placed upon scaffolding. You may recall the 2006 case , reported by the NY Times, where a six story billboard was placed on scaffolding that was advertising two giant Scotch bottles directly across from the New York Public Library. Approximately one year ago the DOB started a campaign against illegal ads and signage placed upon buildings including scaffolding. Would this sign fall under that campaign?

Per the DOB:

What is an Advertising Sign?
>A sign that directs attention to goods and services at a location other than the premises where the sign is located. These signs are only permitted in certain zoning districts throughout the city.

What is NOT an Advertising Sign?
>A sign that directs attention to a business at the same location as the sign. A non-commercial sign unrelated to any commercial business.

Based on these definitions the oversized Riverwalk signage may not be illegal as it is drawing attention to the availability of apartments at that location and not products or services provided elsewhere. But then again it is pointing to a commercial enterprise?

It may not be illegal but it is certainly an eyesore and at 5 stories high quite unneighborly. Maybe I am being a tad melodramatic as the sign is just that ... a sign.

Riverwalk Construction Update: Pictures of 405 and 415 Main Street

Gianluca, this post was photographed so you could see, from California, updated pictures of Riverwalk Court (415 Main Street) and I figured while I was out I might as well take pictures of 405 Main Street as well.

I started shooting from right outside the subway station and then proceeded to walk clockwise around the three buildings 425 - 415 - 405 Main Street. 425 Main St. is already complete and occupied.

Is it me or does Riverwalk Court, 415 Main St., contain more glass in it's exterior shell / skin than any of the 6 buildings constructed to date?

UPDATE:

Each of the photos in the above slide show can be found on Flickr HERE.

New Roosevelt Island Dogs Blog

It's official Roosevelt Island has gone to the dogs. Despite the old belief that no dogs were allowed on the island (see the parody movie) the past two years has seen an explosion of residents owning dogs due to the buildings at Southtown and the Octagon allowing dogs as pets.

The creation of a new blog "Roosevelt Island Dogs" officially seals the new reality and their place as residents. So far the blog chronicles in pictures and text the first meeting of the Small Dog Play Group at the Octagon-Coler dog run on the Eastern side of the island. The run is by the Coler Hospital parking lot facing Costco and the West Channel of the East River. The blogger who created the blog is listed as "Hanahlly" and lives in the Octagon. No contact info was provided nor does the blog provide for comments to be left by readers. A post on the Octagon resident's website is how I learned of the blog. A follow up post on that site gives information for those dog owners looking to joing the group.

Recently I had been speaking with one resident who commutes with his dog into Manhattan using Tram about the state of the Southern of the island's two dog runs which sits across from the Riverwalk buildings behind their sales center. As shown in the picture below the run at this point is pretty bare and some of the residents who use this run are hoping it can be improved but it is unclear who and what organization is responsible for its upkeep. I am guessing RIOC built the runs to encourage residents to limit off leash exercise to within their confines but I have not confirmed this assumption.

The New Face of Roosevelt Island : Video by Long Time Resident

Direct YouTube Link by RebKnell

Text by Rebknell: "A 30 year resident of Roosevelt Island films the ever-growing hometown. PLUS! It's looking a bit like spring!!!! "

The video seems to focus on Southtown which to many folks represents the new age of Roosevelt Island.

Rendering of Riverwalk Complex - Southtown

Earlier this evening I had been replying to a number of posts on Wired New York where I posted the above image of the Southtown Riverwalk Complex. I thought I might as well share it here as well. I was responding to a request as to what are the names / addresses of the buildings closest to the Tram. Double click the image to enlarge it.

You have to admit the complex as itis shaping up is quite impressive and the plaza behind the subway station is becomming the new center of the Island from a retail / culinary perpective.

Will Southtown Include Affordable Housing?

The question regarding whether Southtown will include affordable housing is one that the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal and the Spitzer Administration has to face head on. To date the marketing of the existing four buildings has certainly been upscale and the prices to back that up. The issue of affordability has again been highlighted by the very public sale of 58 units to NYU on top of past building sales to Memorial Sloan Kettering and Weill Cornell Medical College. Nothing has been issued to indicate the next five would marketed any differently.

The General Development Plan requires 40% of the planned units offered to be affordable and occupied by low- and middle-income residents.

The question has now been raised in a direct letter, dated January 29, 2008, to DHC Commission Deborah Van Amerongen how the GDP requirement will be met and what the DHCR is doing to ensure it is. The letter is jointly signed by US. Representative Carolyn Maloney, State Senator Jose M. Serrano, Asseembly Member Micah Kellner, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and City Council Member Jessica Lappin.

The question how will Hudson / Related the developers ensure that they meet the 40% requirement can have long lasting effects. When Northtown Phase 2 was constructed builders set aside, to my knowledge, all of 2 and 4 River Road to meet the affordability percentage requirements they were required to meet. Because these units were separated from the rest of Manhattan Park reports have been that the management and upkeep of these buildings have suffered. Will Hudson / Related do the same? Will the same result occur again.

It will be interesting to see how this develops, pardon the pun, and how the developers respond to the letter from our elected officials. On one hand the State had no trouble taking money for the Southtown development rights but will they now uphold the GDP as law as they are trying to do by keeping the remaining three WIRE buildings, in Mitchell-Lama, as affordable housing.

Should Roosevelt Island Have Two Docks?

As reported last week the Army Corps of Engineers has given its approval to plans to build / reconstruct / strengthen a dock to be located up by the Octagon to water taxi traffic. My question is whether two such docks should be operationally available. Yes, I know the first is not even operational but still I want to pose the question for the below reasons.

The first is not so much for daily commuting needs but to have in case of an emergency where a backup egress point would be necessary if the Tram, subway and Roosevelt Island Bridge were all out of service. The likelihood of this trifecta is quite small, although it has happened, but if for some reason the only way off the Island was via the water it would be helpful if more than one location was available for boats to dock.



The second reason involves the planned Tramway rehab and the need for additional transportation resources to cover the added commuter congestion on the subway. If the planned Octagon dock is successful as a commuting point we may actually see commuters traveling North in the morning to get of the Island. If there was a second dock perhaps the water taxi could make two stops with the second one closer to Southtown and the existing transportation hub.





Could the existing pier be modified so that a water taxi could dock there? Was that pier ever used as a true dock? It does not appear to jut far enough out into the channel but the size of the pier would lend itself to passengers boarding and de-boarding with ease.

The concept or a desire for ferry access or a water taxi is not new by any means and the December 1980 New York Times article provided below show that such service was discussed at a level above mere water cooler conversation after a Tram line had fallen causing the Tram to be off line at that time. With the pending Tram rehabilitation scheduled for 2008 or 2009 the issue again bears thought. Granted in 1980 there was no subway service on the Island and I believe the Upside Down Building and its stairway to the 59th Street Bridge might have been gone as well.

Perhaps the Octagon pier (if completed) will pick up the slack from the Tram but with only two stops planned in Manhattan and the only pick up point being up at the Octagon it is still questionable how many residents will take the water taxi as opposed to crowding onto the F Train.


Updated: 10:11 pm

As noted in the comments the “Subway Pier” has been used as a temporary dock for police boats depending on the need. The below photo, courtesy of the Roosevelt Islander, shows once such instance when the police were investigating a floating body that was nearby the Island. See the Roosevelt Islander’s post linked Here for that story.

Skyscraper Enthusiasts Discuss Roosevelt Island's Riverwalk Construction

I have never thought of the buildings on Roosevelt Island as skyscrapers but apparently the folks at the online forum “SkyscraperPage.com” thought the current construction at Southtown worthy of discussion.

Lecom: “Roosevelt Island is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city. A truly unique area, even for a city as diverse in locales as New York.”

Matty: “Only 16 stories? Kind of small for such a prime locale. And I second your motion, LeCom. Roosevelt Island is a fantastic place.”

Antinimby:” You should be happy they'll even let you build those 16 stories. By the way, they're all ugly.”

The below picture is per RoldanTTLB within that forum which includes a number of images of the current construction as well as others of the site being built upon not to mention a few of the Roosevelt Island Bridge