RI DAILY

Manhattan's little, quieter island and beyond

Stories that matter, from the heart of the East River.

RI DAILY

Manhattan's little, quieter island and beyond

Reporting Roosevelt Island since sunrise.

The beat goes on with third day of COVID testing and vaccines

In a third day of COVID testing and vaccines, Roosevelt Islanders waited again in a long line, the length of Good Shepherd Plaza. It was a microcosm of what the recent infection surge brought to New York as well as...

Roosevelt Island News

In a third day of COVID testing and vaccines, Roosevelt Islanders waited again in a long line, the length of Good Shepherd Plaza. It was a microcosm of what the recent infection surge brought to New York as well as across America.

By David Stone

The Roosevelt Island Daily News

Third Day of COVID Testing and Vaccines

Photo Credit: Deborah Julian

Scattered complaints marred a success story of Roosevelt Islanders meeting the challenges as a community, standing tall against the spread of COVID.

Keeping things in perspective, a month ago, many residents faced a choice. Either take a risk on public transit or go without testing altogether. Then, after listless RIOC failed to respond effectively, two politicians stepped in and brought a testing van here.

Julie Menin, elected to the City Council in November, hadn’t even taken office yet before wading in. And State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright came through on a promise to push until help arrived. While long, cold lines and RIOC’s gross failure in refusing to let people waiting hours for tests to use nearby restrooms, Menin and Seawright stood out, standing up for residents.

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The Well-Funded Vision and the Silent Landlord

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A capable nonprofit has done the work. The public corporation that controls the land has offered no position.

RIOC’s Real Estate Development Advisory Committee met last night. The Renwick Ruin was not on the agenda. A nonprofit that has spent eight years developing detailed plans for the site, raised more than a million dollars, and assembled a board with serious finance and legal credentials continues its work.

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