Image Of June 2010 RIOC Board Meeting
Received the following report from six of the seven resident board members of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) regarding the status of RIOC’s management following the departure/removal/firing/retirement of former President/CEO Steve Shane and an update on various present and future Roosevelt Island projects. It was emphasized that this statement:

… provides an update to which some Directors agreed to present, or sign, as individuals. This is not a “Board statement”.

Here is their statement:

We realize some residents may be unsettled by the change of administration at RIOC. First of all, we want to assure everyone that RIOC staffs primary work, supporting our common community, continues unabated. RIOCs services continue to maintain the basic fabric of our community while many improvement projects advance.

With the transition currently going on right now in RIOC we want to take this opportunity to assure the residents that projects are going forward on schedule. Beyond the normal buzz of activity to support comfort and safety here in our village, its been a very busy summer.

Ongoing Projects
Many of the Directors have met with senior RIOC staff in recent weeks. We are all impressed by their efforts to bring all current projects forward with a great spirit of mutual support. Steve Chironis, CFO and Acting President, has created a very collegial atmosphere, with great interdepartmental cooperation among Fernando Martinez, Ken Leitner, Rosina Abramson, and the other department heads. We thank them and all their staff.

Their attention is spread across many projects and concerns all around the Island. Parks and ballfields are being developed. The Chapel plaza is being rebuilt. Good Shepherd Chapel itself will receive desperately needed heating and air conditioning, and plans advance to refurbish its roof. Better, highly efficient lighting is planned throughout the island. The AVAC system we all quietly rely upon has been repaired. Advanced wireless network infrastructure installation continues, in part to enable security systems supported by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloneys funding efforts.

An incident tracking system is in development, like our own 311, so that there will be a uniform and transparent way to report problems and see their resolution. Motorgate is receiving a state of the art efficient led lighting upgrade, and installing solar panels and electric car charging posts is under consideration. The helix adjacent to Motorgate has been tested and found to be worn but serviceable, with some patching now, but with enough lead time allowed to permit an orderly, and much less intrusive repair process, to occur within the next five or six years.

Some issues, of course, receive our special attention, due to their great impact on our community:

Mitchell-Lama Housing
Three buildings with over 1,100 apartments are under this 30-year old housing program. Graceful exits from this middle-class housing program are sought. A variety of state and local agencies have input into a process of recreating a mix of taxes and fees that remain low enough to permit a next-generation template for affordable housing to evolve. RIOC has a direct role through its assessment of ground rents, and an indirect role as the local, but very junior, state authority, to influence the other authorities, and act as a focal center for discussions. The Board has lead RIOC to resolving to accept the state housing authority DHCR lead in determination that certain proposals are truly new affordable housing models. Accordingly, following our Master Plan and Mission, RIOC is resolved to grant affordable ground rents to enable affordable housing.

Main Street Retail Corridor
Accelerated activity has brought us to the final phase before release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Master Lease. The benefit of this operational change is to seek an experienced operator who will work with current and future merchants to build a vibrant Main Street. We intend that merchant variety and locations may be reconsidered in creative ways so that an attractive and thriving town center may quickly begin development, to serve all our community. The Board has driven this effort, as the best means to solving this very long-term issue. Instead of clumsy efforts to make piecemeal utilization decisions and put leases through a lengthy RFP, review, and Board approval mechanism, we intend to have a professional operator whose incentive is focused on increasing our merchants success and our satisfaction.
We intend increased community involvement as this process evolves.

Tram Upgrade
We continue to monitor this project, and now expect that the Tram will resume operation at the end of September. We are pleased that budgeted funds are sufficient to permit station improvements. Efforts have been directed to improve comfort and safety during waiting times with some refreshing of the basic station designs. These changes are within budget and may be accomplished in short order. We are also considering improving the existing ADA access, but permitting and budget issues may require a slower track to completion. Public meetings are planned to present the proposed station designs.

RIOC Board of Directors
A continued schedule of Committee meetings and a special Board of Directors meeting in August reflect our devotion to serving this community through directing RIOC. Please attend meetings. Speak to us through directors@rioc.com or through phone messages to the RIOC office at 212-832-4540.

Howard Polivy
Fay Christian
Katherine T. Grimm, MD
Jonathan Kalkin
Michael Shinozaki
Margie Smith

RIOC Director David Kraut did not sign the statement. 2 PM – Mr. Kraut explains why he did not sign the statement: