Little League "Majors" Championship Hit 6-27-09

The above video was shot this past weekend at Firefighter's Field on Roosevelt Island and really gives you a feel for what playing at this field feels like (given its less than one minute) with the Riverwalk Buldings towering over the outfield. I hope to find a video of what it looked like before Southtown started being built.

Direct YouTube link by Jcalenberg

A Parkour View of Roosevelt Island

The above video is a Parkour practitioner's view and includes mashed up images of both Roosevelt Island and NYC's Central Park. For someone not used to quick camera work this video might be a bit strange to get used to but is quite interesting. I recognize shot outside Rivercross, behind Westview, along Island House among others. The last minute or so is a bit of out takes and just walking around.

As I have stated in past posts about Parkour, the actions taken would not be sanctioned by PSD and this video is not disagreeing that many of the moves seen could be dangerous.

Direct YouTube Link by Shadowgodny

The New Destination for Detroit's TV Car Commercials?

Will this video be enough to convince ailing General Motors to film future car commercials on Roosevelt Island? It is unlikely but the owner of this Charger RT had some fun on a bright Saturday morning showing off his wheels.

Direct YouTube link by CiscoNY718

Octagon Dock – Winter – 360º View

The above video was found on YouTube (by DIEGoMOL80) and is a 360º view shot from the "Octagon" dock across from the DaySpring Church here on Roosevelt Island. The video starts with a view of the East River (West Channel) and Manhattan. It's a bit clunky and quick but does what the videographer wanted to capture the moment.

Abstract Exploration of Island Ruin

The above YouTube video by ChristosNYC is of a former hospital on Roosevelt Island which I must assume is the former smallpox hospital but which could be of another ruin since demoslished as noted below.

Currently the access to the ruin is under tighter restrictions due to injuries sustained by two RIOC PSD officers who were chasing unauthorized intruders. In other words do not attempt to dupliacte the images on this video.

Per the videographer:

"abstract exploration of now demolished ruin of abandoned Victorian style hospital on Roosevelt Island in New York City's East River. Shot as part of Graduate Film program work in the early 1990s. "

The Little Red Bus - Can't Beat It's 25¢ Fare

There has been talk that soon even the Red Bus, Roosevelt Island's other red painted transportation symbol, may have to raise it's fare above the current 25¢. We shall see if that occurs but in the mean time two bus enthusiasts (not me) took the below videos of the Red Buses and posted them recently on YouTube.


Direct YouTube Link by FL92002



Direct YouTube Link by FL92002



Direct YouTube Link by Eman2211

A Multicultural Event - Around the World Right Here on Roosevelt Island

The above video found on YouTube is of a multicultural event held here on Roosevelt Island and shows a number of varying dance routines. I believe the stage to be at Goldwater Hospital but it could also be PS 217. I am not sure. Any info would be appreciated.

The video was created by "peckerwoodtwist". No indication as to the actual date of filming.

Cool Tram Video: Lego and Actual

When you write a blog about Roosevelt Island you tend, by occupational hazard, to watch a lot of Tram videos posted on YouTube. Most are run of the mill and published in real time speeds. The above video has that something extra.

The video, posted by toyshansolo, is comprised of trips from and to Manhattan preceded by video of the Lego version of the Tram and the actual footage is sped (misp?) up avoiding the views I see every day being played out in ho hum real time. Good choice of music as well.

Police Raid [Roosevelt] Island Prison

Seventy years ago this week, On March 1, 1939, Warner Brothers premiered the film "Blackwell's Island" starring John Garfield. The movie focuses on one repoprter's quest and the eventual raid made by the police upon the prison which was at that time on Blackwell's Island (later Welfare Island and now Roosevelt Island).

The NY Times review stated that it was a "sound melodrama ... and amusing, too, in a cynical way". The movie was loosely based on the actual 1934 raid that revealed widespread corruption at the prison. It was the actual 1934 raid that prompted NYC to soon after move all the inmates off Blackwell's Island into the new prison buildings built at Riker's Island abandoning Blackwell's Island where the site was later razed and upon which was built Goldwater Hospital.

Direct YouTube Link by Foxter65

Film Shoot Destroys Tram Station

Unbeknownst to most Roosevelt Island residents who came to the island after the first Spider-Man movie the film shoot destroyed the island's Tram station captured here on film.

Granted the station destroyed was a 1/18 scale miniature of the station. Pretty cool video. Direct YouTube link by GMDFX. I don't recall any of this footage in the movie but watch for the close up at about 1:00 minute of the station's interior as it is pretty detailed of the yellow fencing etc.

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.

French or Italian View of Roosevelt Island?

Apparently the text on this short 44 second video of Roosevelt Island is either French or Italian. The first sentence apparently describes the length and width of the island. The second island mentions something about the hospitals but I am unsure if it is saying there was or still is a penitentiary on the island. Amusing.

Direct YouTube Link by stephtraveler

Video: Roosevelt Island - I Cubed

"A short film directed and produced by Phanat Xanamane, Eugene Kwak, Seung Lee, and Seung Oh for a course called Reading New York Urbanism at Columbia University's Urban Design School. The title I-Cubed refers to the Infrastructure, Identity, and Isolation attributed to Roosevelt Island's (New York City) transportation features. " - Per YouTube description.

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.

Fordham U. Students Examine R.I. Housing Issues

YouTube Video Posted by drtoulouse

At first when I watched the above video it seemed like the Fordham University students were under the impression that Roosevelt Island was dominated by public housing. But as the video progresses and focuses on Roosevelt Island (4:04 minute mark) it becomes clear that the students are aware that private development is one of the island’s biggest issues. Look for their interview of Geoffrey Fishman, Manager of Roosevelt Landings, formerly known as Eastwood. Mr. Fishman discusses the effect of the open market on the island.

It will be interesting to see Hunter College’s Access RI’s take on the same issue as their larger study progresses throughout the coming months. FYI, Access RI is not only about physical access to Roosevelt Island but also to services, housing and various other issues.

East River Time Lapse from Roosevelt Island

YouTube Video by conorfuhduh

The above time lapse on YouTube features a view of Manhattan, the East River and the Queensboro Bridge from Roosevelt Island around dusk. The building that is centered in the video which is lit brightly at its top is the Bloomberg building owned by Vornado Realty Trust (not Bloomberg).

YouTube: Timelapse, Snow, and Tram

YouTube videos posted regarding Roosevelt Island in the last 24 hours:

(1) Timelapse by conorfuhduh; (2) Snow by rebknell; (3) tram by paxymax

First Snow of This December

Lilian C. Moreira has posted on YouTube a short one minute video of the first snow from earlier today here on Roosevelt Island. Lilian has a number of Roosevelt Island videos posted on YouTube that are worth checking out.

The Roosevelt Island Project - The Beginnning

A new video posted on YouTube speaks of Roosevelt Island as part of a neighborhod study and the video is titled "Bridging Boundaries - Roosevelt Island" and concludes wit the phrase "The Beginning".

Not sure where the study is but the video is quite a cool video post card of our island. Thanks to "idntlikeuattitude".

Jets vs Sharks ? Parkour Training Video

No, the video is not of a new tryout for wannabe Jets and Sharks in some sort of a Roosevelt Island production of West Side Story, The above YouTube video, from NYPKTraceurIrish, features a group of individuals practicing various Parkour routines around the island. With the many ramps, fencing and other architectural flourishes that are Roosevelt Island expect to see parkour demos for some time to come.

Regeneration Roadtrip: RI Tidal Energy Project

Todd from Regeneration Roadtrip, in conjunction with Grist TV, talks to Jonathan Colby of Verdant Power about the new Roosevelt Island tidal energy (RITE) project on the East River in New York.

Direct YouTube link posted by Grist TV. Grist can be found also at http://www.grist.org/.