When RIOC updates on the AVAC, it’s always a little confusing and incomplete. But this time, it’s also mostly good news.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Updates on the AVAC

“Please be advised that maintenance work alongside the east side of the AVAC system is now complete. Normal operations will resume tomorrow,” RIOC posted in an advisory. (No, we don’t know why “side” and “of” are connected by a hyphen.)
That’s good news, but puzzling. What exactly is “the east side-of the AVAC system?” And what maintenance? What was wrong? Our best guess – Southtown and Roosevelt Landings will be back to normal today, but we’re not 100% sure. RIOC’s not giving us any help here; so, we will watch and see. The disappearance of all those piles of black garbage bags may brighten Thanksgiving.
Whatever happened to that bed frame that got blamed for everything? Angry residents condemned whatever fool or fools who stuffed it down a chute. But there’s never been any evidence that story was true, and now it looks like a thing of legend. Like Babe the Blue Ox.
The remaining updates on the AVAC are less clear.
Why Can’t They Just Say Rivercross?
“…the west side line of the AVAC system is partially complete but still in need of repairs near buildings 505 and 531 Main Street. This zone is clogged with solid and liquid material that requires RIOC engage a third party to remove. Once the waste is cleared, certain upgrades to the system will be necessary to prevent future clogging in this area.”
Here’s a tip to help the outsiders: 505 and 531 Main are not “buildings.” They are both Rivercross.
In any case, the clogged zone is news to most of us, six months down the road, but not so much for Rivercross residents. RIOC’s communicated in detail with the Tenants Corp. there for some time, just not with the rest of us.
In any case, assuming our translation of RIOC-speak is on the money, we can assume all buildings back at full AVAC service today, except Rivercross. But we’re not promising anything.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- 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.
- Tuesday’s PSD blotter: noise calls, a harassment reportRIOC’s Nov. 10 PSD blotter lists 15 incidents, all on Main Street, including four noise complaints, a harassment report and one hospital transport.
- Queens Public Library Ransomware Attack: Digital Services Still DisruptedThe Queens Public Library ransomware attack continues to disrupt public computers, digital books and online services, with no confirmed restoration date.
- A new RIOC appeals officer denied records on how its general counsel was hiredA different RIOC appeals officer denied records on how RIOC hired general counsel Lance Polivy. RIOC’s internal deliberations on the hire stay withheld.
- Monday’s PSD blotter: two hospital transports, two disputesRIOC’s Nov. 9 PSD blotter lists 14 incidents, including four aided calls with two hospital transports and a verbal dispute at 750 Main Street that drew FDNY.
The WIRE: Two Futures, One Empty Chair
It is December 6, 2015, and David Stone is writing to Dr. Jack Resnick about a chair that will soon be empty. Dick Lutz is preparing to leave the Main Street WIRE, and Stone has been encouraged to ask whether he might replace him. Seven years of covering art, Cornell Tech and questionable practices inside Public Safety have taught Stone how the paper tells an Island story.










