Dept Evironmental Protection Called in to Repair Tram Plaza Bathrooms?

Picture Courtesy the Roosevelt Islander
UPDATE:

As per a Twitter post after this post was published. The DEP work affected the water main servicing the bathroomsd and did not directly involve the bathrooms.

Original Post:

Apparently the bathrooms on the Roosevelt Island side of the Tram were worse than any of us knew as the DEP has been called in per the below advisory. I have submitted an inquiry into RIOC as to why the repairs are being done by DEP as opposed to regular plumbers or maintenance personnel. Interesting. Did we have a toxic spill or something? Stand by.


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

From: RIOC Advisories

Sent: Friday, August 28, 2009 2:34 PM

To: RIOC Advisories

Subject: Tram Plaza Bathrooms

Please be advised on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 the bathrooms on the Roosevelt Island side of the Tram will be out of service from 9:00 P.M. until 1:00 A.M. due to repairs by the Department of Environmental Protection.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

Please visit us on the web at http://www.rioc.com/

Latest Renderings of Manhattan Tram Station

The above two renderings for the new Manhattan Roosevelt Island Tram Station were just released moments ago. Pretty cool in color. Double click to enlarge.

Notice that except for the glass walls and the roof the station retains much of its curent design. I had thought at one point I had heard RIOC President Steve Shane they might change the position of the exiting stairs which here do not change.

Also the retractable roof look of an earlier design has vanished. The glass partitions on the balcony is a smart addition to prevent riders from dropping belongings into the tram wells or being fearful that their kids night fall through the gate. I believe this design feature was also slated for future Second Avenue Subway stations at least the concept.

Rendering of New Fountain at Tram Plaza Turnaround

I received the above image from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation in response to my request for a rendering of the new fountain. Based on the description, see below image, it appears that the fountain will have 16 perimeter jets, 5 cascading jets all in addition to a central cascading nozzle. The above image is more a sketch than a true rendering and so we are left to wonder what it really will look like when completed but it gives us some idea.

The fountain additionally will be lit up at night based on the inclusion of 18 low voltage lights. No further renderings were providing but I am hoping to find an image on the manufacturer's web site, a company named Stonewear Fountains.

The turnaround circle certainly needs something whether it called for a fountain is unclear. Anything more than the current dirt will be a welcome change. Although a nice set of manicured bushes and hedges with flowers would certainly have been cheaper and easier to maintain

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.

Low Res: Manhattan's Roosevelt Island Tram Station:

Low resolution video of the Manhattan Roosevelt Island Tram Station

B is for Boarding

When we moved in 2006 to Roosevelt Island on April 18th the Tram went out of service so we did not step foot in the elevator at the Manhattan tram station until service returned in late August. Once we did we were momentarily perplexed as to what the "B" stood for on the control panel. As we never thought to ask it was some time before we learned that "B" was for Boarding.

If you travel with a child ask them to guess what the "B" stands for. I am guessing you will get a few interesting responses if they don't know the answer.

Holiday Shopping Dec 4 at the Roosevelt Island Visitors Ctr

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society Visitors Center located at the old trolley kiosk is offering holiday shopping on the evenings of December 4th and December 18th from 5pm to 9 pm each evening.

So as you come off the Tram or out of the subway stop on by. A variety of gifts are offered from jewelry, cards, books, calendars and toys. Refreshments will be served..

A Prayer Before You Take the Tram?

While the Roosevelt Island Tram is scheduled to be replaced next year no one has publicly stated that safety is such an issue that a prayer is required before the Tram begins its trip across the East River but someone apparently did not want to take any chances.

The above pictured prayer booth was permanently affixed and anchored into the ground within Manhattan's Tramway Plaza, a NYC designated public park. The non-denominational prayer booth offers a fold down knealing pad. The instructions, especially the warning, are the best part.

"Warning:

This device exists to facilitate and control prayer in
public space. Improper use may result in penalty or fine.

Please avoid the booth if you are sensitive to or feel
threatened by actions that are religious in nature."

The over/even is the ACLU wil have the City Parks Department remove it by midday tomorrow so get your prayers in now while you can.

Note: It appears that the prayer booth is actually an art installation created by artist Dylan Mortimer and has traveled across the country according to these 2007 newspaper articles. It would be nice if some sort of "art card' was placed nearby. Amusing. Over the years the Manhattan Tramway Plaza has hosted numerous art installations.

UPDATE 935am - Supposedly a member of Community Board 8 saw the TWO prayer booths at the plaza and is contacting Parks to have them removed. Apparently by bolting the booths to the ground it is a violation etc etc.

UPDATE 9/18 1130am - The story continues as apparently Parks did not notify CB8 that they were installing the booths as "public art".

Traffic Circles, Traffic Patterns and Onstreet Markings

Dear RIOC Public Safety Director Keith Guerra:

Can I ask for confirmation what the allowed traffic pattern is around the traffic circle by the Tram Plaza? On a few mornings when walking to theTram along the sidewalk adjoining the Soccer Field at Firefighters Field I have seen cars looking to make left turns ignore the posted sign and proceed to drive to the left of the curbed circle. One morning a car almost hit my son as we were trying to cross the street to the Tram when the car failed to bear right around the traffic circle. One afternoon this past May a car cut off a Red Bus apparently thinking this sort of left turn was allowed. It is possible though at that time the existing sign was not there. I posted a report of that incident on my blog as I was in the affected bus.

As opposed to the traffic circle / triangle by Blackwell House where street markings make it clear that forking left is allowed and the street markings also prevent cars who are making "U Turns" from making such turns without stopping the traffic circle by the Tram has no such on-street markings or additional signage. The existing circle is apparently being interpreted as only being applicable to cars looking to make U-turns. Certainly if even a moving bus is not making it clear to oncoming drivers we need better signage and on street markings.

Have I misinterpreted the intended traffic pattern? I believe we cannot wait for Riverwalk construction to conclude and even if we need to paint the street several times before the two existing buildings under constructionare complete I feel the added paint and signage would be worth preventingany injuries or worse. Your feedback is appreciated?

Thank you,
Eric


From: "Keith Guerra"
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:05:33
To: rooseveltisland360@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Traffic Circles, Traffic Patterns and Onstreet Markings

Eric,

Thanks for your e-mail. We posted the sign currently on the traffic circle by the tram after we received complaints similar to the one you describe. Traffic is supposed to flow counter clockwise around the circle. Our officers are issuing moving violation summonses to those seen in violation. Unfortunately, in the case of the car in your scenario, if the violation is not actually observed by an officer, a summons cannot be issued. We will continue to pay special attention to that traffic circle.

Regards,
Keith Guerra
Director of Public Safety

UPDATE: 6:00pm

Apparently sometime in the last few days since I took the pictures at top RIOC painted the additional traffic flow yellow lines and cross walk. I can't say whether it was there this morning as I took the Red Bus to the Tram station. Definitely a step in the right direction. Subsequent to Mr. Guerra's above reply he sent another email where he indicated that PSD would look into posting an additional sign stating textually "Traffic Keep Right" in addition to the existing graphic sign.

A Sign to Remember the Last Trolley Kiosk ?

The last of 5 Trolley Kiosks still sits at the Manhattan foot of the Queensboro Bridge isolated and without a single sign as to what the structure's original purpose was. During this year the Bridge will celebrate its 100th Anniversary. It is time that a sign is erected to recognize the contribution of the trolleys and the last kiosk sitting at its original location.

As I have written in the past there were once 5 of these kiosks, each an entrance to the actual trolley lines which would traverse the Queensboro Bridge. One now serves as the Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) Visitors Center but the last one sits, restored, but unused and for the most part unappreciated as so few people know its original purpose and why it sits where it does.

I have asked Judy Berdy, RIHS President, if such a sign is possible and she believes she heard that a sign was discussed and she is investigating this recollection. If no plan exists I believe one should be suggested to the NYC DOT, and the Transit Museum among others. The City by its restoration of the last kiosk has deemed it worth saving. I would think that recognition should be evidenced by a sign so residents and visitors alike can share in its history.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

City Flushes First, Roosevelt Island Still Holding It.

Well the City has its first official “flush” according to the news release issued today. The first of the Cemusa Public Toilets has been christened. No word yet whether RIOC ever submitted an application for one of the 20 annointed toilets commissioned by NYC through Cemusa for Roosevelt Island.


According to the Trust for Public Land’s Wild Gardens planned schematic two public loo’s are planned. No idea if they are to be of the same design but each appears to be part of structures created for the park.



I still vote to place one additional public toilet just North of Capobianco Field and Grandpa Al Lewis Playground perhaps just under the circular ramp onto and off the Island.

As noted in prior posts the only publicly toilets currently accessible on the Island are located at the Tram station on the Island (ask the operators to unlock the doors) and just across from the FDNY Special Operations Command by the Public Gardens and the Octagon Soccer Field.

The Blackwell’s Island Diner and Penitentiary ?

For the past few months the former martial arts studio that fronts Tramway Plaza on the Manhattan side of the Queensboro Bridge has been empty and looking for a new tenant. This week the owner finally placed a large “For Lease” sign over the property.

The question is why is that property not moving when it appears to have a built in consumer base with the local neighborhood and the Tram traffic that crosses in front of it each morning and night? I have toyed in my mind what type of store I’d love to see go in there. The answers have ranged from a specialty foods establishments to a good deli. Some establishment where you can either grab a bite or pick up something which can be prepared at home certainly sounds good. Deliveries to the location would be a real pain for the tenant.

For all I know the landlord specifically does not want a food related tenant and wants a standard retailer which would not invite all the food related ills that other local restaurants had had to deal with (i.e. Serendipity III). But one can dream. Yes a food establishment woudl be in competition to the planned food related space at 425 Main Street. But competition and more choices are a good thing.

If the RIHS did not set up the Visitor’s Center in the former Trolley Kiosk on the Island the location would have been perfect to start a Roosevelt Island Tourism Center from which tours and specialty goods could have been sold from. Perhaps a diner themed and named the “Blackwell’s Island Diner and Penitentiary”?

Manhattan’s Tramway Plaza – Images from Yesterday and Today

Even though Tramway Plaza is not technically part of Roosevelt Island it is as much part of the island psychologically to residents as anyplace else and when a resident reaches the plaza at the end of a long day they know they are almost home.

Yesterday:




Copyright 2005 George Cuhaj via NYC Subway.org

Today

Images of the interior Plaza brickwork and the picture of the Tram station itself were taken from the Bridge & Tunnel Club web page for Tramway Plaza.


Park Rededication Links:

< Parks News Release – July 19, 2007
< Photos from the Rededication
< Daily Plant


Past Art Installations:

Entrance to a Garden – Dennis Oppenheim – May 2004





NYC Parks Dept. Press Release


Location: