According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Operations Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Monday, April 16, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.

AGENDA

1. Follow-up on Prior Items
High Pressure Gas Service for Roosevelt Island
Good Shepherd Roof Replacement Project
Installation of Bench at Octagon Field Bus Stop
Project Management Reporting System
Bus Garage/Warehouse Rehabilitation Project
Recreational Use of Open Areas Opposite Prow and Riverwalk

2. Status on Ongoing Projects
Good Shepherd Plaza Replacement Project
Tram Modernization Project
Contract Extension for Shea Carr Jewel
Station Renovation Project
Manhattan Station ADA Elevator
Meditation Steps Replacement Project
Motorgate Garage
Lighting
Electrical Upgrade
CCTV
Waterproofing
Car Charging Stations
North Elevators
Island-wide Wireless Network/Infrastructure Project
Document Scanning Project
Helix Reconstruction Project

3. New Items
Disposition of Steam Plant
Contract with Henrich Equipment Company
IT Department Professional Services
Schedule future review of:
IT Department
Public Safety Department
Park and Recreations Department
Community Relations Department
Strategic Plan and Implications on Operations

During the April Roosevelt Island Residents Association ( RIRA ) Meeting Public Session, RIOC Director Margie Smith asked if there was any interest in making the Southtown temporary parking lots into usable, green, recreational space at least until Southtown Buildings 7-9 begin construction.

Image of Southtown Commons and Temporary Dirt Parking Lot Potential ideas include picnic tables and chairs. exercise equipment, volleyball/badminton nets or any other passive or active recreational use instead of parking. Another potential Roosevelt Island open space for active and passive recreational use being explored is the area between the Octagon Soccer Field and boat prow dock pictured below.

Here’s Ms. Smith discussing the idea for additional Roosevelt Island Open Space at the April RIRA meeting.

Now the idea is on the RIOC Operations Committee Agenda for tomorrow. Sounds like a good idea to me and I hope it gets approved.