RIOC’s finally got the Blackwell Sidewalks right, months after work started on them and Blackwell Plaza. It took a while.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Over a period of weeks, late this summer, a RIOC contractor sent pedestrians, wheelchairs and baby strollers into Main Street, forcing them away from construction. What made it worse was its location directly in front of RIOC president Shelton J. Haynes office and across the street from his dedicated four-spot parking areas.
But now, after repeated complaints, the state agency that never makes a mistake seems to have gotten the message.


Credit where credit is due, especially as it regards public safety. Here’s one of the previous dilemmas in the same ares.

Maybe they learned something, and residents as well as visitors will be safer.
This article is dedicated to David Kraut who says that Roosevelt Island media never gives RIOC credit when they get it right.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- Queens Crime Headlines and Community Responses: Roosevelt Island’s ConnectionsQueens crime headlines and community responses have shaped recent conversations from subway stories to neighborhood events. Here’s how Roosevelt Islanders are affected and how the borough is responding.
- How Queens News Stories Affect Life on Roosevelt IslandHow Queens news stories affect life on Roosevelt Island, from public safety incidents and housing shifts to education events, offering insight into our connected communities.
- Roosevelt Island summer moments: Community, events, and the beat of the seasonExperience Roosevelt Island summer moments as neighbors gather, city events unfold, and community rhythms keep the season steady. Discover how our island balances celebrations and everyday traditions.
- Queens Neighborhood News and Community Updates from Across the RiverStay informed with the latest Queens neighborhood news and community updates from across the river, including public safety, events, and how neighboring stories shape our daily life.
- Queens and Brooklyn Legal News That Impacts Roosevelt IslandExplore Queens and Brooklyn legal news that impacts Roosevelt Island, with updates on major cases, community incidents, civic efforts, and neighborhood resilience.
Before the Door Closed
The May 14 RIOC board meeting began with public concern over the steam plant and ended with two votes that revealed more than any report could. Some meetings announce themselves by what is said. This one announced itself by what the room permitted to move and what it stopped before it could breathe.











5 COMMENTS