A new secret project started this week by RIOC stirs apprehension, keeping the last one in mind. Is the super secret state agency taking over even more of Blackwell House’s surrounding area?
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Last spring under the guidance of (fill in the blanks), RIOC deemed it wise seizing Blackwell House for executive office space. That followed residents coughing up millions for restoring it as an historic location, drawing visitors.
And soon, their brain trust decided that seizing four prime spaces of precious parking spots across the street was wise. Those became the New York State Shelton J. Haynes Parking Area because the boss and his assistant shouldn’t walk too far or ride a Red Bus for work.
Fortunately, though, while RIOC’s Project Tracker is hopelessly out of date, the not so new secret project shows up on page 2. We think.
If it’s the Blackwell House Plaza Pavers Project as listed, RIOC plans on putting over a million dollars into replacing the aging pavers.
But since it’s listed as having a completion date almost two years ago, it’s no more than a well informed guess until RIOC’s crack Communications Team gets around to an announcement.
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The Women Who Held the Ground
The recording arrived before RIOC posted it. On this island, that usually means they’ll release it when they’re confident nobody still cares. ArchRI simply made a copy available, the way people here tend to do once they’ve stopped waiting for institutions to keep their word. It was the first meeting of what is now meant to be a monthly community advisory group (CAG).
