Another all new WTF moment plopped down on Roosevelt Island, late Friday. RIOC’s again the carrier, although apparently out of the loop.

By David Stone

Roosevelt Island Daily News

“On Monday, May 17^th, Sony Pictures Television will be filming portions of The Blacklist, from approximately 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM in various locations throughout Roosevelt Island,” RIOC said in an “alert.”

But this left residents with even less time to prepare.

“On Sunday, May 16^th, production will be clearing and holding parking in advance of the shoot for equipment trucks and production vehicles in the following areas:

• In front of and across the street from Foodtown between 10 River Road and 40 River Road
• The west side of Main Street between 405 and 475, as filming will be taking place in and around Riverwalk Commons, Granny Annies, Duane Reade, and Piccolo Trattoria”

Accompanying this all new WTF moment was a letter from Woodridge Productions. Woodridge seems responsible for location shooting for The Blacklist.

The letter sports an indefinite day in May and is unsigned.

Introducing Roosevelt Island’s all new WTF moment…

Woodridge says they have the “full cooperation” of the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting.

They do not mention RIOC, suggesting the state was out of the loop or simply out to lunch during development.

Also not noted: Who authorized taking over such big chunks of Main Street parking? And why so little notice?

Certainly, the production crew knew about this long ago, and the slightest consideration could have lessened the intensity of this all new WTF moment for our community.

More late news from the Roosevelt Island Daily…

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  Three New Schools Open in Western Queens Amid Ongoing Classroom Overcrowding
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• 
  Certified 9/11-Related Cancer Cases Double at Northwell Health
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• 
  Long-Term Health Effects Linked to 9/11: 25 Years Later
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• 
  NYC Yellow School Bus Shortage Disrupts Back-to-School Plans
  A potential NYC yellow school bus shortage could affect back-to-school transportation and schedules as classes begin. Learn how families, schools, and city officials are responding.
• 
  Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Suspected in Hunters Point High-Rise: FDNY Responds
  A lithium-ion battery fire is suspected in the Hunters Point high-rise incident that prompted a major FDNY response, with a second Queens fire following at Ravenswood. Officials are investigating both events.

You Can’t Be All Three

Transit for the city, an attraction for visitors, and a liability on the Island’s books. The tram is already part of the MTA system. The only question is whether RIOC is ready to admit it.

Theo Gobblevelt Jul 10, 2026

April 9, 2026, during the full board meeting of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, Fay Christian said something that should have landed harder than it did. She wished RIOC were not responsible for the tram. Then she asked what it would look like if it were given to the MTA. That was not a passing comment.

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