I ask the community to support the Roosevelt Island Youth Program by voting Yes on Referendum Question 2. Through many types of academic and athletic programs, the Youth Program serves 1,500 Island kids, over 500 more in the extended community, and large numbers of adult residents, as well. Director Charles DeFino has been particularly resourceful in locating funding for these programs, but the program needs more space and deserves a permanent home.

For years, RIOC granted occupancy of 504 Main Street to the Lilies school, a private school with 20 to 36 students. This is a good-sized two-story structure adjacent to the Youth Center that would be ideal for expansion. Among other ideas, Mr. DeFino would like to put a small convertible theater/auditorium (open to Island organizations) on the second floor, audio and video studio workshops, and a youth-run food service. The secluded outside area behind the building can also be used for handball, picnics, or other uses.

Thanks to the efforts of our local politicians, this plan can be a reality. The Youth Program has been offered grants of $1,650,000 from City Council Speaker Gifford Miller and another $165,000 from Assemblymember Pete Grannis. The only strings attached to the use of the City funds are that the Youth Program must have a long-term lease for the property that they want to renovate. Such a lease needs to be granted by RIOC, and therein lies the problem.

The Youth Program has requested from RIOC the use of 504 Main Street for many years. In fact, in the early 90's, RIOC offered this space to the Youth Center, in writing, if it would move out of its old premises to make room for the Cultural Center, which it did. Lately, RIOC's reasons for welching on the deal seem to be two-fold. First, they want to make money. They claim to be "actively marketing" this space, but in fact, no viable renter has ever been found for it. Then they raised concerns about the viability of the Youth Program and its ability to pay the utilities bills. This concern seems particularly irrelevant. If the Youth Program ceases to exist, it will still have spent two million dollars to renovate this crumbling building and insulate it so it is energy-efficient. The City, as title holder, would either find the funds to permit the Youth Program to continue operating or, in consultation with the community and our local City and State representatives, would come up with a plan to provide a viable program for our kids.

Recently, RIOC granted a lease to the Child School for all the remaining space in Northtown at rental rates that are a fraction of market rates. We have an expanding population, and diminishing space. Can't we offer the children who live right here in our own community the same opportunities? With all the income from Southtown and Octagon, surely we can afford to give our own children a decent spot to learn and recreate. If RIOC won't grant a lease for the Lilies building, then where? If not now, when?

To my knowledge, consideration of the Youth Program's request has not even made it to RIOC's agenda. Perhaps an overwhelming "Yes" vote on this question will prompt RIOC to consider this matter and finally put the old Lilies School building to a good use.

Incidentally, any resident of Roosevelt Island over the age of 18 may vote in these referenda. Make your wishes known!

Steve Marcus