Abruptly, after 6:00 on Friday, the super secret state agency announced that it closed the Southpoint Park restrooms “…due to needed maintenance repairs.”

They said “Comfort Station,” but come on. There’s no comfort in those barebones, better-than-nothing facilities. 

UPDATE, April 1st: Still mysterious, RIOC’s alleged Communications Department says the Southpoint restrooms are now open.

“Apologizing for the inconvenience…” is thoughtless boilerplate, but they did promise to send out a notice upon reopening.

No further word on the “needed maintenance repairs” on a weekend or on why it required closing all, not just some of the comfort. Nor were any alternatives offered nor any projected time frame.

Recently in Roosevelt Island Daily News…

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The Well-Funded Vision and the Silent Landlord

A capable nonprofit has done the work. The public corporation that controls the land has offered no position.

Theo Gobblevelt Jun 19, 2026

RIOC’s Real Estate Development Advisory Committee met last night. The Renwick Ruin was not on the agenda. A nonprofit that has spent eight years developing detailed plans for the site, raised more than a million dollars, and assembled a board with serious finance and legal credentials continues its work.

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