Roosevelt Island Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder David Kramer of Hudson Related spoke to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Advisory Committee yesterday about status of under construction Riverwalk building 8 & the future Riverwalk building 9. (Stay tuned for story soon)

Mr Kramer also gave an update on Roosevelt Island retail. Starting with the good news, Mr Kramer gave a hint of what he calls exciting news to come about the vacant Dayspring Church space

in response to my question about rumors of a restaurant to open in the space. Mr Kramer expects an announcement this week about the Dayspring Church space which has been marketed as a restaurant/events space. Other Roosevelt Island retail news – Eleanor’s Cafe Panini Bar at 503 Main Street in the Riverwalk Building is expected to open this summer.

The plans for Mexican Restaurant Onda at 548 Main Street ( projected to open in summer of 2017 ) have been revised. The same owners are changing the concept from a Mexican Restaurant to a Mediterranean restaurant due to gas capacity in the space. The margaritas and chips Roosevelt Island residents were hoping for is not to be. The Bubble Tea Cafe will not re-open. The store was expected to be sold to new owners but that deal fell apart in the last couple of days. Hudson Related is working with D r Jack Resnick to keep medical facilities in the former Urgent Care space. No update on new tenant for former Riverwalk Bar space, closed since last Labor Day. Mr Kramer described the space as the jewel in Roosevelt Island retail crown that has received some nibbles from interested restaurants owners but nothing definite. Non-restaurant uses have been proposed but Mr. Kramer says Roosevelt Island needs a Restaurant Bar in that space. Mr Kramer encourages Roosevelt Island residents to support Main Street retail. Here’s what he had to say.

The Twitterverse reported David Kramer’s Hudson Companies signed retail lease for rooftop bar at one of their Brooklyn properties.

Surprise, for one brief moment, a revolving rooftop bar was considered for the future 28 story Riverwalk building 9.

But was rejected. UPDATE 6/3: