What's Behind East Side Officials Asking for Green Manhattan Tram Station Roof?

In a joint letter signed by virtually every East Side elected official the request was made to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation to incorporate into the design of the new Manhattan Tram station a green roof.

Why is this request coming now? Yes, RIOC is still in the design phase but it is interesting that the chorus has just started when the process discussing the new Tram and its stations has been going on for well over a year to two. If the overhaul had kept to its original schedule this question would be way late and impossible to even consider. My fellow blogger the Roosevelt Islander infers that it is because East Siders perhaps don't like the current design in some form.

For me I am all for "greening" our neighborhoods and construction practices but I say to these elected officials if you are going to push this at this time RIOC has a right to ask for the additional cash to make it happen. Let's see who is first to float a bill to increase the funding for the Tram overhaul for a green roof over another project they are currently backing.

I am in a cranky mood today so I apologize to each of the elected officials as the goal is admirable but I question why this project and why now and not earlier.

Tram Closure Delayed Until Fall 2009

The Roosevelt Islander has the "Breaking News" (he always wanted to say that) that the Roosevelt Island Tram modernization program is behind schedule and the scheduled July 6th closure date is being pushed back until September 2009. Link to his blog to read RIOC President Steve Shane's confirmation.

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.

The Red Bus: 13 Years at 25 Cents & Counting….

The last time Roosevelt Island residents saw a fare increase for the Red Bus was in June 1995 from a dime to a quarter. Before that it had been in May 1991 when the first fare of a dime was imposed ending years of free shuttle service.

According to Stephen Shane, President of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, there are no current plans to increase the existing 25 cent fare but the possibility has been discussed. In today’s economy and the announcements regarding the proposed MTA service cuts and fare hikes one wonders how long RIOC can manage to keep the current 25 cent fare.

Some New Yorkers have stated the MTA should change the fare system to be distance based like Washington D.C. I can only imagine residents in Northtown arguing that their Red Bus fares should be capped at a quarter with Octagon residents being charged 50 cents.

Except for the Staten Island Ferry the fare for our Red Bus is probably the cheapest mass transit fare in the Five Boroughs. Let’s hope it stays that way for a long time to come.

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Image pre formatting via Flickr by WireHead2501.

Transportation Forum Produces Community Provided "Solutions"

The Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer organized Roosevelt Island transportation forum produced a list of short term and long term solutions as suggested by the attending audience as well as the priority of each solution. In an innovative method of collecting data via RF point and click technology, the organizers with the help of the Hunter College Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, turned what is usually a standard speech dog and pony show with the expected rantings of upset community members into an event where the public provided the content and the elected officials (Micah Kellner and Jessica Lappin) spoke minimally. RIOC President Steve Shane spoke but offered nothing new for the community that he had not already stated at the recent Tram info event.

The only real problem was the transportation experts did not speak at all and the public was not given the opportunity to put these folks on the spot. Also while the solutions offered are nice in theory we heard nothing from the elected officials or the transportation officials as to the reality of any one solution being actually attainable or not.

Scott Stringer closed the event stating that this event was only the beginning of the discussions and tonight was more a gauge of where he and the other politicians should start on our behalf. The only problem is we only have until the Tram goes out to start determing what can be improved in the short term. Lets schedule the next meeting soon to keep the feet of these pols to a deliverable fire date to answer the realities of the solutions offered otherwise what was the point of taking away a particular good opportunity to simply rant.

The short and long term solutions and prioritization are below and each can be linked through to Flickr for larger views.

SHORT TERM SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS per the COMMUNITY

SHORT TERM VOTE

LONG TERM SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS per the COMMUNITY

LONG TERM VOTE

Model for New Roosevelt Island Tram Revealed

Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation President Stephen Shane will deny it but I was on a secret mission this past weekend. I was sent to Niagara Falls to view and commission the replacement for our beloved Tram.

I was sent to the Spanish Aero Car which is located above the Niagara River Tidal Whirlpool. The new design is much more open allowing free movement of air and will be accompanied by a new ticketing structure duplicating that of the fare structure at the Niagara Parks attraction.

The Aero Car's design has been used since 1916, link HERE for history. and according to one of the operators has never had an accident in all those years. RIOC was so impressed with this record that they have agreed to commission two cabins based on this design. The new tram will also slow down to match the 8 minute ride provided by Niagara Parks in each direction and while the $11 fare is for a round trip in Niagara, RIOC will charge the new fare for each passage across the East River.

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For additional pictures of the Spanis Aero Car you can visit FLICKR to see many tourist pics uploaded for public viewing. The above post is obviously a bit of satire on my part. All fun aside it was quite amusing during my vacation with my wife this past weekend to discover this attraction despite our disappointment that the ride did not allow us to disembark on the "American" terminus of the Aero Car's cable track. For those of you that have never visited the Falls my advice is to visit and see it from the Canadian side as it was truly an amazing site to see.

RIOC Vote on FDR Mem. at 9/11 Board Mtg.

This Thursday, September 11, 2008, at the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporations's September Board of Directors meeting the FDR Memorial issue is being raised as a vote "Conditionally Designating the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute for Development of the FDR Four Freedoms Park". I must admit I am somewhat at a loss as what this actually means.

If it means a positive vote vests full control over the site to FERI without their yet securing the $40 million in funds they estimate as needed I am opposed and would counsel the voting directors to do the same. My recollection has been that RIOC President Stephen Shane has stated in the past that if FERI could not secure the funds (by dates now that have come and past) he would counsel RIOC to veto the project. This may not be his exact statement but it was my understanding of it.

I do recall that at one point the deadline was pegged to the groundbreaking of Phase I of Southpoint's development which would be when the Trust for Public Land formally starts construction of the garden area which is planned for between the Smallpox Hospital and Goldwater Hospital. Such a groundbreaking has not yet occured due to some sort of environmental study. I personally have wondered if this study was pushed back to give FERI more time but I am guessing that is just my being cynical.

Mr. Shane has stated in the past that RIOC is bound to the Kahn design, if the park is memorial is created at all, based on a long ago 1974 agreement entered into by its predesessor the RI Development Corporation as well as other State and City agencies. I just seems to me that if each of these organizations today were to state they have no interest in this design that the agreement would be null and void. The odds are but for RIOC no one at these other State and City agencies even knows this agreement exists.

As I stated above if the vote this Thursday is to formally bind RIOC to the Kahn design I ask that the voting directors vote no for reasons I have stated in prior posts that the design is from another time and no longer serves the community and detracts from the natural beauty of the site.

Last Leather Strap Post ?

Apparently the New York Daily News enjoys writing about leather as much as we do as they ran a story this past Friday August 8th, similiar in theme to our own 7/24 post, about the leather hand straps in our Roosevelt Island Tram being the last in the MTA system.

Nice to see in print RIOC President Steve Shane's statement that the straps will be going to the Rooseevelt Island Historical Society when they are retired. As a fan of the NYC Transit Museum I hope at least one would end up there as I also wish the Tram would be given some sort of mention there.

I learned from Judy Berdy, President of the RIHS, that the current straps when worn down have been replaced as needed through a Queens leather / shoe repair shop so it's unclear which if any of the current straps are actually original to the Tram's inception.

Update: 7:00 pm - Monday Aug 11, 2008

My apologies to Brendan Brosh over at the News if he felt in any way my above post above was taking a dig at his article at is was not my intent.

Island Once Again Referred to As Hidden Treasure

In a 2 minute video piece airing tonight, July 14, 2008, on NY1 and this evening on their website, Roosevelt Island is once again hailed as a hidden treasure within New York City.

Each of the island's landmarks are covered as well as a few familiar faces including Steve Shane of RIOC and Judy Berdy of the local Historical Society.

Some nice camera work highlighting the natural beauty of the island including our still existing 360 degree view from Southpoint Park.

Whiffleball Player Smacks Ball 654 Feet at Southpoint Park

Apparently Southpoint Park is becoming such a popular destination here on Roosevelt Island for Whiffleball afficionados that they have defined how many feet the centerfield fence is from home plate. Although some residents have questioned their math. Doubleclick the image to see the "654" designation.

In all seriousness does anyone know what the numbered boxes / placrds are sitting at down at Southpoint Park? I have not been down there recently but as always am curious to learn more about whatever is going on around here.

The above picture is one of several on Flickr regarding a whiffleball game at Southpoint Park.

Update 12:30 pm

Stephen Shane, President of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, e-mailed me a few moments ago with information regarding the numbered cubes. He referred me to his March 15, 2008 WIRE RIOC column where he wrote:

"In an episode reminiscent of our own UFOs , six (6) freshly painted, labeled (1-6) and latched cubes of approximately three feet at each dimension, enclosed on five (5) sides were discovered at the top of the grassy embankment just south of the Ruin. After investigation, it was determined that without prior notification, the MTA police had left them there as part of a canine training exercise. Roswell, New Mexico? "

Young Advocacy Pays - Sidwalk Protrusion Fixed

Photo courtesy The Main Street WIRE

About a week ago I ran a post in response to a Curbed post where it was stated by Joey that it must be depressing for kids to grow up on Roosevelt Island. the whole thing started you may recall when the Roosevelt Islander ran a post that two local kids wrote to RIOC President Stephen Shane informing him of a piece of metal sidewalk molding that was sticking out which they were concerned would hurt somebody.

Well as expected the photo above is now available where Steve Shane posed with the kids demonstrating that advocacy works and the kid's letter did not go unanswered. Just like their dad they are learning that speaking up for the public's benefit pays off. But the real question is now whether the kids got child size versions of the snazzy RIOC fleece that Mr. Shane is sporting.

In all seriousness thank you to Mr. Shane for showing these kids and all of the local kids that civic pride is worth it and being a member of the community is looking out for one another.

FDR Paper Surveys Due This Evening at 6 PM

PressHD has posted a new video regarding the state of the Louis Kahn designed FDR Memorial featuring interview with Roosevelt Isladn Operating Corporation President Stephen Shane, RIOC Board Member David Kraut, and Residents Association Matt Katz.

The central question posed b ythe video is who decides. My take on what Steve Shane is that there i essentially nobody here on the Island who has the background to be able to decide and that the we must proceed under the intent of the original agreement entered into by NYS and NYC to build the Kahn design. Matt Katz feels that the design was from another time and that each time we are told a deadline is approacjing the wall is moved allowing the issue to continue.

As noted for the first time perhaps a survey has been published that may give a better voice to whether the residents of the Island care and to what degree. Mr. Shane believes the numbers that care is actually quite small in the 40 to 50 range. It does appear, according to Mr. Shane, that the survey will afect the design as it is what it is.

Survey's are due at the PSD office across from Trellis in the box provided by 6:00 PM this evening, Saturday, April 19, 2008.

Joint PressHD - WIRE Interview with RIOC’s Shane at Southpoint

PressHD.com captured on film an interview between Stephen Shane, President of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, and Dick Lutz, Managing Editor of the Main Street WIRE. The video was shot on a sunny day and really captures the size and feel of the location as Steve Shane describes his understanding of what the Louis Kahn designed FDR – Four Freedoms Memorial will be like.

Personally I think a video like this only reinforces the idea of what the trees called for in the Kahn design will block from a visitor's view to the site once completed. As Mr. Shane describes the views in either direction will still be visible from either promenade to whoever wants to see them but still an unencumbered 360 degree view will be changed irrevocably.

RIOC's Shane Speaks re Roosevelt Island Retail Spaces

PressHD.com has posted two video interviews, on April 11, 2008, with Stephen Shane, President and CEO of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, regarding a possible plan to bring more retail to Main Street and the possible relocation of the Public Safety Office. At the time of this blog's posting I have not yet watched either video.

Presumably each video is tagged to a companion article in this weekend's Main Street WIRE as at least the retail interview was conducted by the WIRE based on the PressHD picture caption.

To link to the video interviews double click the above image.

Roosevelt Island: Goodbye Eliot, Hello David

Eliot Spitzer during his gubernatorial campaign stopped at Roosevelt Island’s Church of the Good Shepherd and promised change. Island residents excited at the chance of keeping a Republican Governor out Albany were eager for Spitzer’s message of better days. Residents voted in large numbers for Spitzer evidencing their desire for change. During this last year we saw the ouster of Herb Berman and installation of Spitzer appointee Stephen Shane as RIOC CEO and President and we expected / hoped that Spitzer would respect our election of RIOC Board nominees.

We know little as to what soon to be Governor David Paterson thinks about Roosevelt Island and the issues that concern us most including transportation concerns, privatization, among others. We voted for Paterson as part of a Spitzer / Paterson ticket. To my knowledge Lt. Governor Paterson only has step foot on Roosevelt Island once last May during a photo op with Mayor Bloomberg regarding the Verdant Power water turbine project in the East Channel of the East River behind Gristedes.

It is still way too early to know whether Roosevelt Island will be left alone or whether DHCR Van Amerongen will even be able to submit the elected slate of RIOC Board Nominees or how this new administration will look upon the various privatization efforts of the buildings here on Roosevelt Island. We will simply have to wait and see.

Will a Paterson Administration Respect Spitzer Public Authority Appointments?

When Eliot Spitzer won his mandate as Governor of New York State all Roosevelt Islanders looked forward to the end of the Pataki administration and the years of disastrous RIOC relationships. So when Stephen Shane was announced, on March 16, 2007, as Spitzer's pick for President and CEO of RIOC all eyes and ears looked forward to a change for the better.

The question is will Lt. Gov. David Paterson if he succeeds Eliot Spitzer as Governor, if he leaves office, feel compelled to replace all, some, or any of Eliot Spitzer's hand picked appointments including Stephen Shane. To my knowledge Mr. Shane serves at the pleasure of the Governor. I don't know his position to be one with a defined term or one that successor Governor's are required to keep. Again I believe the role to be one that serves at the pleasure of the Governor. To my view Mr. Shane's tenure to date has been a positive one. Perhaps a few bumps or friendly disagreements but nothing on par with a Berman or a Blue. To even imagine starting anew again so soon into this administration's term seems a waste. But only time will tell where the chips may land.

In the previous post's comments both Craig and Anonymous seem to be thinking that a change in the State administration and a possible change in RIOC leadership would mean the end of the Kahn FDR Memorial. I actually would be concerned that any uncertainlty might allow FERI more time to raise the funds they need and again uncertainlty might make it easier to avoid deadlines that might prevent FERI from commencing its project.

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.

Daily News Reports $7M Needed to Stabilize Smallpox Hospital

The NY Daily News ran an article in today's paper, February 12, 2008 which focuses on the funding needed to stabilize the former smallpox hospital on Roosevelt Island. Double click the article at left to see the entire article.

From the article:

"We've been told by the engineers that to really do an adequate job, we need somewhere around $7 million," said Steve Shane, chief executive officer of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. "We have $4.5 million to spend on preservation. The rest of the money is slated for the parks, and I don't want to pit the preservation people versus the parks people."

"We're starting a campaign for another $3 million to make the stabilization better," said [Judy] Berdy [of the Historical Society]. "Four and a half million is not enough to make it stable."

It just seems crazy to me that the public must directly raise funds to support this stabilization when the state has years to ensure the collapse would not happen while the hospital was under its stewardship.

Motorgate Monthly Parking Rates to Increase Effective July 1, 2008

According to the below e-mail the monthly rates at Motorgate Parking Garage are going up this July equalizing the rates between residents and nonresidents. My prior email certainly did not cause this so don't blame me. Heck at these rates I just might buy a car.

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

From: "Stephen Shane"
Date: Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:15:57
To:,"Erica Wilder" ,"Fernando Martinez"
Subject: Re: Motorgate Parking Rates

After review, we have decided to increase the Motorgate rates, effective July 1, untouched for more than 6 years, by $10/month for residents (and employees of on island businesses) and $30/month for off island patrons, in both cases to $190/month, less than 1/2 of the rates available in Manhattan. We have under 200 off Island monthly parkers and just under 1000 resident parkers, with a total capacity of over 1300. The extra income will be ploughed back into Island operations to offset some of the relentlessly escalating expenses.

Questioning of those with institutional memories only gets hazy recollection of differential parking rates to try to attract off Island users to enhance the revenue stream during dire budgetary periods.

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

VOTE NOW or Forever Hold Your Peace

We Need As Many Voters To Vote As Possible....

This coming Tuesday Roosevelt island residents effectively have to vote in large numbers for the RIOC Board nominees or it is likely Governor Spitzer will not nominate any of the candidates to the Board of Directors. As noted in today’s NY Sun this process is an experiment and if the Governor feels that the elected nominees are not sufficiently representative of the Island he may feel he is not bound to his promise to allow us this self representation.

So effectively it is, pardon my bluntness, time to put up or shut up, or as it is put more eloquently above, VOTE NOW or forever hold your peace as this opportunity may never be granted us again.

Steve Shane, President of RIOC, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, stated in the NY Sun article that advocates of the election had overstated their significance. "The reality of their representation is very different than their public posturing," Mr. Shane said yesterday. "They have a state senator, an assemblyman, a City Council member, and no one else has any more than that."

I am not wholly sure I agree with Mr. Shane’s analysis. Yes, we vote for a City Council Member but her authority over matters affecting Roosevelt Island’s operations are limited, I believe, to that of a visiting dignitary. While yes she is an advocate on our behalf and can work to secure funds through the City for various programs on the Island she again can not change policy set at the State level or decided within the walls of the RIOC offices. As such I believe we have less than the rest of the NYC population and until the Island reverts back to NYC or this election is successful this will not change.

I have great concerns regarding the success of this election as I am unsure if the general population of the Island fully understands the position in history we now stand in. If great numbers of Island residents don’t vote this opportunity, As Matt Katz, RIRA President, states in the NY Sun article it may never come again. So please let your neighbors know this election is of great significance and they should make the effort to vote on February 5th if only for this election if not for the primaries themselves.