The new Tram elevator is a big deal. RIOC’s sunk millions, probably too many millions into it, but what makes “pedestrian traffic patterns” the state’s biggest concern? While barely making a note about the elevator?
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
The New Tram Elevator
A point of frustration for decades, physically challenged Tram riders depend critically on a working elevator for daily needs. Many times, over the years, breakdowns brought forced isolation.
The need was great, but failures at addressing it seemed nearly as powerful.
While humorous at times over its endless disruptions, the new Tram elevator kept former RIOC president/CEO Susan Rosenthal in knots for much of her term. But against what seemed like all odds, she pulled it off. It opens on Tuesday.
Probably the funniest mishap on the way to the new lift landed when the first company contracted for the job declared bankruptcy a day or two before the scheduled start of construction. That sent RIOC back to the drawing board.
Then, when construction finally started, work stopped when unexpected underground features required renewed planning.
So, what’s with RIOC and foot traffic patterns…?
Even the subject line in their email blast was weird:
“Manhattan Tram Elevator| Pedestrian Traffic Pattern Update”
So, you’ll navigate on foot a little differently. That demanded a mass mailing?
The rest of the email wasn’t helpful…
“Please be advised that, due to the construction of the Manhattan Tram Elevator project, starting Tuesday, October 12th the below changes will take effect:
- The existing operational elevator will be closed to the public
- The south stairwell towards Tramway Plaza Park will also be closed
- The new east elevator will be open for public use
All the way down at the third bullet point, the writer got around to the important news, but we’ll rephrase it:
The New Tram Elevator Will Open, At Last!
That should’ve been the subject line. It’s a big deal, but instead “pedestrian traffic patterns…?” Really?
And just for the record, there are two south stairwells, and there is no such thing as an “east elevator.” There’s just one, and that’s it.
But don’t you just think, sometimes, that these bulletins are written by someone who’s never even been here?
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- 700,000-home housing gap mapped by neighborhoodNYC’s path forward: meeting the 700,000 home housing challenge offers a roadmap for closing the city’s housing gap, with neighborhood-level solutions and coordinated action.
- Building Queens conference on Long Island City developmentLong Island City’s rapid development is driving discussions at the Building Queens conference, where stakeholders will address construction, housing, and the changing skyline.
- NYC Small Business Grant Program Invests $8.4 Million in Local Community OrganizationsNYC launches an $8.4 million small business grant program supporting community-based organizations to empower local entrepreneurs and boost neighborhood commercial corridors.
- Hate-crime charges after Central Synagogue Shabbat disruptionA man was charged with hate crimes after disrupting a Shabbat service at Central Synagogue in Midtown Manhattan. The incident raised concerns about worshipper safety and led to increased police patrols and community care.
- Forest Hills E train threat and Jackson Heights station stabbingTwo recent assaults on Queens subway lines have led to ongoing transit investigations, prompting increased safety measures and community response across key commuting routes.
Air Doesn’t Have an Address
The Roosevelt Island Steam Plant fight has reached a new stage: DOB has agreed to a site walkthrough, ArchRI says it is bringing independent engineers and architects, and four elected officials have formally asked RIOC to create a Community Advisory Group (CAG) for the project.
