As reported May 9, the NYC Housing Preservation & Development Department is planning to demolish the long time vacant and decommissioned Roosevelt Island Steam Plant which had supplied power to Goldwater (now demolished) and Coler Hospital (still in operation).
According to HPD Press Secretary Matt Rauschenbach:
Pursuant to the Declaration of Emergency by the Department of Buildings, HPD, as the agency responsible for demolishing the site on behalf of the City, has been preparing to conduct demolition activities at the site. Contractors are being actively solicited at this time to provide bids for the work, pursuant to the emergency procurement process of the City’s Procurement Policy Board Rules.”
I asked HPD and the NYC Department of Buildings spokespersons (NYC DOB):
What is the emergency?
Can I get a copy of the Declaration?
A NYC DOB spokesperson replied:
- DOB issued an Emergency Work Order for 5 East Main Street on 7/8/2024 which is publicly available here.
- The Emergency Work Order was issued due to the deteriorating conditions of the masonry façade of the two smoke stacks and the power plant building.
- As this is city-owned building, the work is being managed by HPD, and you may reach out to them for more information.
I followed up asking HPD:
The emergency work order was issued 10 months ago.
Why has it taken so long to comply with the order?When does HPD anticipate demolition of the Steam Plant to begin?
HPD press secretary Matt Rauschenbach answered:
HPD has been working diligently since the emergency work order was issued. Prior to an actual demolition, many steps are required to ensure the safety of the site, the workers who will be handling the demolition, and our own staff. In order to complete much of this work, HPD was required to go through scoping and contracting processes.
These steps include: removing existing scaffolding; sealing the building; securing the site (fencing); reviewing and understanding the existing building structure; ensuring electric and gas service were cut to the building with the appropriate utility; dewatering of the basement; and completing asbestos testing of the structure.
HPD continues to work through the process to ensure the safety of the site and the safe demolition of the structure.
There have been jurisdictional disputes between the NY City and State over who owns the Steam Plant and is responsible for the demolition and environmental clean up of the facility. The Steam Plant is also wrapped up in negotiations over the Master Lease.
I asked the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) for comment about the Steam Plant demolition and:
Do you know what the emergency is? Has jurisdiction over who owns it been settled?
RIOC declined to comment.
In February 2013, the NY City Health & Hospitals Corp, which operated the Steam Plant, reported via its Capital Committee (Page 6):
… Relinquishment of Steam Plant at Roosevelt Island – Coler Campus
Jeremy Berman, Deputy Counsel advised that it was determined that costs relative to leaving the steam plant and turning it back over to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) are limited to the costs of remediating the existing bulk storage petroleum tanks, there are no other costs involved. The Committee had asked what the cost would be and the estimate from Liro, through DASNY, was $838,000.
Mr. Berman explained that the estimate included $100,000 for removal of contaminated soil, although testing shows no contamination (that’s just in case), so in his opinion the $838,000 may be higher than necessary.
Ms. Youssouf asked if this is being contracted out for. Mr. Berman said no, the plant will continue to operate for about a year from now so there is no obligation to close now. Timing is under HHC’s control. In the coming months planning will be taking place….
Here’s a 2013 look inside the Roosevelt Island Steam Plant.
Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy reports in the RIHS Newsletter:
The City has issued paperwork to demolish the steam plant. Not used since 2013, the original building opened in 1939 and an addition added in 1954. The plant provided steam to Goldwater Hospital, isalnd insttuions and all the up the east side to Coler Hospital.
The steam plant is in a complicated location and any demolition will be a massive exercise. Some of the complications include:
- A building contaminated with asbestos, fuels, lead.
- Tunnels leading to the east side tunnel along the river
- Two smokestacks that are in dangerous locations, including one by the Tram Station
- Being located directly adjoining the Tram Station and under the Queensboro Bridge
- Being located adjacent to a subway tunnel (E line)
- A large area containing underground fuel storage to the south of the building.
- Being located on the only southbound access street to the south end.
Ms Berdy shares these photos
and adds:
The building was used for movie shoots and then closed down due to asbestos concerns.
Whatever actions are taken, this will be a massive project due to the buildings location, condition and all the structures and roads that it is surrounded by,
REMOVING THE STEAM PLANT IS A DANGEROUS, COMPLICATED And Special JOB
Roosevelt Island resident Matt Katz notes:
It’s been twelve years since the plant was decommissioned but now it’s an emergency to demolish it? Really? Until someone or some government entity comes up with a good idea for the building/site, leave it alone. it ain’t impacting the community and a botched tear-down could be devastating.