NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Visits Roosevelt Island To Record Video For Social Media At The Girl Puzzle Monument

NYC Democratic Party Mayoral candidate and current frontrunner in all the polls Zohran Mamdani recently visited Roosevelt Island’s The Girl Puzzle Monument at Lighthouse Park that honors pioneering investigative journalist Nelly Bly.

Mr Mamdani, the NY State Assembly Member from across the East River in Astoria, recorded a video message in front of The Girl Puzzle for his social media platforms describing his plan to invest $362 million in a new Department of Community Safety that he says will prioritize preventive and ongoing mental health services for those in need.

Today, I asked the Mamdani campaign:

I have been trying to reach the Mamdani Mayoral campaign for several months with questions about Roosevelt Island. Please see the email message thread below.

Today, I noticed the Mamdani campaign published an Instagram video with Mr Mamdani at the Roosevelt Island Girl Puzzle Nelly Bly monument to illustrate his mental health program.

Did you know Roosevelt Island has a Free Bus for residents, workers and visitors. It’s called the Red Bus and has been free since 2014. Here’s link.

You could do a similar video for your City wide Free Bus program.

Please let me know if Mr Mamdani will answer questions below, do an interview about Roosevelt Island issues and please let me know when he returns to Roosevelt Island.

Here’s the September 2 email message I sent to the Mamdani campaign:

I am following up on June 10 and several other emails below regarding any comment from Zohran’s Mamdani on Roosevelt Island issues.

For instance: 

1- Affordability issues – Roosevelt Island was originally developed under the Mitchell Lama affordable housing program but over the last 15 years, all of the buildings have exited the program making it unaffordable for many. In addition to the rent freeze proposed for Rent Stabilized building, are there any proposals for creating new housing?

 2- Roosevelt Island Tram – does he have a position on boarding priority for Roosevelt Island residents and workers on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Many residents and local elected officials say that the Tram at times has become overcrowded with picture taking sightseeing tourists causing huge lines and long delays for residents and workers to use the Tram for transportation purposes and not as a sightseeing amusement attraction. They advocate creating some sort of boarding priority for residents and workers ahead of sightseeing tourists.

3 – The Master Lease between NYC and NY State for Roosevelt Island is set to expire in 2069. Efforts are currently underway to extend the current lease. Do you support extending the current lease between NYC and NY State or do you support letting the lease expire and returning Roosevelt Island to the jurisdiction of NYC.

4 – The NY Post reported that you support the boycott of Cornell Tech which is located on Roosevelt Island, because of its  partnership with The Technion of Israel. Is that true? Do you have any statement on this issue?

Does Mr Mamdani have any plans to visit Roosevelt Island?

Is it possible to interview him?

Thank you.

Will update if any response from the Mamdani campaign.

I asked Roosevelt Island’s elected representatives, all Democratic Party members, if they are supporting Zohran Mamdani for Mayor. Democratic Party candidate Mamdani’s opponents are former NY State Governor Andrew Cuomo, current Mayor Eric Adams, both running as Independents and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

The answer from NY State Senator Liz Krueger’s office was:

A spokesperson for NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright replied:

The Assembly Member is not endorsing at this time in the mayoral race. 

NYC Council Member Julie Menin did not respond.

Congressman Jerry Nadler, who recently announced his upcoming retirement, came out in support before I asked.

Governor Kathy Hochul endorsed Mamdani earlier this week.

Here’s more on the NYC Mayor’s race.