The Roosevelt Island Daily News
With plenty of NYPD officers on hand and a plan that avoided subway overcrowding, celebrating two birthdays was fun and pain free on Roosevelt Island. Even RIOC, after infuriating much the community, chipped in with a laughable goof.
First, unexpectedly, we celebrate a birthday of local significance. Yesterday, the Roosevelt Islander blog turned 14, a remarkable achievement of perseverance and community commitment. In perspective, the tireless blogger reminded us of his first ever post, on July 4th, 2007.
Appreciate that best by recalling that George W. Bush was president, Barrack Obama was a promising young star, Trump was just an over the top egotist and nobody’d ever heard of COVID-19.
In that article, the Roosevelt Islander promised good things to come, taking a swipe at RIOC for charging $18 a pop to view Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks from pre-Four Freedoms Southpoint.
4th of July Fireworks from Roosevelt Island
Although RIOC shenanigans made the 4th of July less pleasant for many Roosevelt Islanders, thousands scrambled for the best viewing locations they could find.
Above is RIVAA president Tad Sudol’s shot from Westview, but many more popped up on Facebook, Instagram and other online perches.
And then, RIOC chucked in one last bit of buffoonery…
“Hey, all you 4th of July revelers! While we’d love to host everyone, we’re quickly reaching capacity for the Roosevelt Island 4th of July Family Fireworks Celebration,” they wrote at a little past 8:00 p.m.
“Please be advised that, if you’re planning on making your way to the island, capacity may be reached before you get here and you may not be admitted into the event and/or able to gain access to Roosevelt Island via the Tramway.”
It looked like an attempt at due diligence, except they sent it to their limited RIOC Advisories mailing list. Who did they think they were going to reach at that late hour?
So, who were they telling not to come to the Island where they live? And what was that about the Tram? Were they looking at a shutdown. What?
“This is a joke, right?” one RIOC-weary Islander wrote. “Hey, All You… ?”
There was no follow up, although visitors continued pouring onto the Island for the next hour.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- MTA Launches Six-Year Signal and Track Overhaul on A and C Subway LinesThe MTA launches a six-year signal and track overhaul on A and C subway lines, bringing CBTC and major infrastructure upgrades to the Fulton and Liberty Avenue corridors through 2032.
- Long Island City Rent Overcharge Lawsuit Seeks $50 Million Against DeveloperA Long Island City rent overcharge lawsuit seeks about $50 million from Rockrose Development, raising questions about billing practices, tenant protections, and legal oversight in NYC’s fast-changing rental market.
- Astoria E-Scooter Rider Dies After Northern Boulevard Crash in Long Island CityA 22-year-old Astoria e-scooter rider died after a Northern Boulevard crash in Long Island City. Details remain under investigation, highlighting micromobility risks on busy city streets.
- Hate Crime Charges Filed After Vandalism at Fresh Meadows Kosher Bagel ShopHate crime charges have been filed after vandalism at a kosher bagel shop in Fresh Meadows, with prosecutors alleging bias-motivated acts. Hearings are set in New York’s legal process.
- Midtown Subway Shooting Leaves 26-Year-Old Dead; Queens Incidents SeparateA shooting inside a Manhattan subway station left a 26-year-old dead. Police investigate the Midtown incident and separate shootings in Queens as commuters seek safety.
The Steam Tunnel Repair That Disappeared
Capital projects change. Costs rise, engineering evolves, funding moves and questions of ownership can complicate even urgent work. But the Roosevelt Island Steam Tunnel was not a speculative improvement that simply slipped down a priority list. RIOC’s own records describe an infrastructure problem known for decades.
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