While just plain people complain about the scarcity of parking on Roosevelt Island, RIOC president/CEO Shelton J. Haynes solved his problem. He awarded himself four free spaces, complimenting his $200,000+ annual salary. But his generosity didn’t stop there.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Initially, Haynes determined that four was just about right for his needs as patroon, giving him easy access to offices that are not ADA compliant in historic Blackwell House.
Elites from outside need special privileges, of course, because they are… well, so special. But as The Space Cadet noticed, Haynes recently extended honors to a new, permanent guest. A hybrid car owner now gets space in the coveted New York State Shelton J. Haynes Parking Area.
Yes, she’s an employee working right alongside Haynes, except during his frequent absences, in the totally inappropriate, ADA non-compliant Blackwell House suite of executive offices.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily News
- Thursday’s PSD blotter: two hospital runs, a trespass summons at 888 MainRIOC’s Nov. 12 PSD blotter lists 15 incidents: six medical calls, two alarms at 546 Main Street, and a late-night trespass at 888 Main Street that ended with a summons.
- Queens Home Prices and Rents Rise in October 2026 as Long Island City Condos Draw BuyersQueens home prices and rents rose in October 2026. See StreetEasy’s housing figures and Long Island City condo contract activity at Radiant and Vesta.
- Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 7: Get Answers on 2027 ChangesMedicare open enrollment ends Dec. 7. Sen. Krueger’s Nov. 16 virtual town hall covers 2027 premium, deductible and Part D changes, with a HIICAP expert’s Q&A.
- Wednesday’s PSD blotter: two medical calls, a water leak, a custody reportRIOC’s Nov. 11 PSD blotter lists 10 incidents, all on Main Street, including two medical calls at 555 Main Street, a water leak at 560 Main and a custody or visitation report.
- Six-Unit Apartment Building Planned for 10th Street in AstoriaPlans for a six-unit apartment building in Astoria call for four stories at 35-25 10th St. See proposed dimensions, apartment sizes and permit status.
The Budget Knew Before the “Emergency”
The demolition began on paper long before the City invoked emergency authority to carry it out. In RIOC’s fiscal 2013-14 budget, the Corporation set aside $7 million for fiscal 2015 for the complete demolition and cleanup of the Roosevelt Island Steam Plant. RIOC called that figure its worst-case scenario, meaning the State corporation might be left responsible for the entire cost.
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