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May 5, 2007 |
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A very interesting two weeks. The major items to have come across our desks:
1. The Lieutenant Governor, David Patterson, was on the Island April 25 in a promotion of the environmentally friendly East River turbine project and the Octagon Tower’s "greenness" (solar panels, tinted windows, etc.). Unfortunately, the event was cut short by the tragic death of a New York State Trooper upstate and the Lieutenant Governor’s need to leave.
2. I met with RIRA representatives to encourage the democratization of the RIOC Board of Directors process. No wonder the Continental Congress had to call a Constitutional Convention to work out the competing interests. I have promised a copy of the Federalist Papers on the development of a workable plan.
3. I met with representatives of both the handicapped and senior citizens to discuss their concerns and to give them my assurances of prompt attention to, and as rapid resolution as possible of, matters of special concern to them. I know that Roosevelt Island was designed and built with a special needs population sympathy, and as time has gone by and standards (see the ADA) have changed, RIOC will be empathetic and accommodating.
4. I met with representatives of the Trust for Public Lands and the FDR Memorial group. TPL will be making a presentation at the next Board meeting on May 17 for the information of the Board members and the community.
5. I have had several meetings and discussions with the representatives of Island House and Westview together with the owner of both, to move towards a resolution of the future ownership of the buildings, with a strong concern for the protection of existing tenants and the affordability requirements of the General Development Plan. As the holder of the ground leases, RIOC must serve its public purpose, honoring its contractual relationships and the requirements of law.
6. We were unexpectedly requested (but very pleasantly surprised) to submit a request for funding of the repairs for the seawall through Congresswoman’s Maloney’s office, and dropped everything to meet her time requirements for the non-defense appropriations bill. Let us all hope that yes, there is a Santa Claus.
7. At the Governor’s Cabinet meeting in Albany, I made contact with Elliot G. Sander (a/k/a Lee), the Executive Director and CEO of the MTA with whom I served at DHCR many years ago. I asked if the MTA would be interested in assisting with our crowd control and transportation issues for the Fourth of July event, and he invited me to send him the particulars so he could address them with his operations people. I hope we will have a much more pleasant and safe exit for the attendees this year.
8. I have had discussions with the developers of both Southtown and the Octagon as to their ideas for improvement of the Main Street streetscape, an initiative that the Chamber of Commerce had started more than a year ago, but was becalmed in the transition. With cosmetics (radical surgery is really not possible), we ought to be able to freshen, brighten, and make the central corridor more attractive to all. To the same end, we have invited the Island’s Garden Club to participate with us in floral displays and selection. An ongoing project.
9. We continue to work on the street lighting issues. With the help of Margie Smith of RIRA and her ability to enlist the attention of public officials to prevail on Con Edison, the lights at the Tram were electrified. Arcade lighting outside our office is working, and we are about to resolve the circuitry issue for the lights behind Manhattan Park. Progress is being made and we will continue the effort.
10. We have initiated a study to move Public Safety from its present location to 504 Main Street. The present space must be overhauled (and for anyone who doubts the imperative, they are invited to drop in for a tour), and rather than keep Public Safety in limbo while doing a rehabilitation and for several programmatic reasons (such as getting those vehicles off Main Street, centralized location, etc.), the idea is very appealing.
11. As a first step in the Roosevelt Island Bridge rehabilitation, the toll booths are being demolished at the Island end of the Bridge.
12. And last, but not least, I think we had a very successful Health & Fitness Day last Saturday, with former Mayor David Dinkins lending his support. The weather was good and there was a very good turnout and participation in the various activities (I admire those who tried the climbing wall!). I want to thank all the community volunteers who contributed their time and effort to the day. I also want to thank Erica Wilder and Donna Masly of the RIOC staff for their hard work.
On we go. Again, please bring to my attention any issues that you think RIOC may be helpful in resolving.