Image of East River Kayakers Underneath Roosevelt Island Bridge A post from way back in March of 2008 asked:
… Wouldn’t it be great if Roosevelt Island could get a boat house to launch kayaks! From an earlier Roosevelt Islander post:
Several years ago I inquired of RIOC about the possibility of a Kayak launch here and was told that the currents were much too strong to safely permit. But others with practical experience of such matters advised that with proper guidance a kayak launch could readily be created on Roosevelt Island….
Well, hold on to your oars and paddles because Roosevelt Island may just get a boat house and seasonal dock to launch kayaks and boats into the East River this spring/summer. The New York Rowing Association current lease on the Harlem River is ending. They are looking to open a new facility right here on Roosevelt Island just south of the Oil Dock Pier underneath the Queensboro Bridge and presented a proposal to the March 21 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp ( RIOC ) Operations Committee meeting ( audio webcast of meeting is her e). The RIOC Board members expressed approval for the idea of the Boat House and program but requested additional information from the NY Rowing Association before they give final approval which they hope to be able to do within 2-3 weeks. Here’s what happened at the meeting.
More on this issue to come. Here’s what it is like rowing around Manhattan.
UPDATE 9:20 PM – Earlier this afternoon, I sent the following inquiry to RIOC Director Sal Ferrera, President Leslie Torres, VP of Operations Fernando Martinez and the other resident RIOC Board Directors:
I am preparing a post on the March 21 NY Rowing Association presentation at RIOC OPS meeting. The NY Rowing Association web site indicates that Sal Ferrera is a member of their Board of Trustees.Click here for info. Is that true?
If so, was that ever disclosed to RIOC Staff or Directors. I don’t recall that it was mentioned during the meeting?
Is Sal being a member of the organization’s Board of Trustees relevant to RIOC whether or not to approve the NY Rowing Association permit/license/lease?
Please let me know if anyone wishes to comment for Roosevelt Islander Online.
Thank you.
RIOC Director Sal Ferrera responds:
In response to your email, I am a member of the NYRA board and Vince Paparo is a member of The Child School board.
The Rowing association has been a wonderful addition to our co curricular program, when they wanted to relocate to RI , I felt the community and the Child School will benefit. Issuing a one year provisional permit will allow our board to evaluate the program.
I remained silent during the presentation and discussion and did not try to curry favor. Our Operations committee did a fine job in asking relevant questions
UPDATE 11:15 PM – Received the following response from RIOC’s spokesperson:
The discussion and presentation about a potential rowing launch site under the Ed Koch bridge was at an Operations subcommittee meeting and Sal is not on that subcommittee.
Additionally, if any Board vote is taken concerning the NYRA, Sal intends to recuse himself from voting on the issue.
So far, no response from RIOC on whether Mr. Ferrera disclosed his relationship with NY Rowing Association to RIOC Staff or Directors prior to the Operations Committee meeting.