Yesterday, it was spring for one day on Roosevelt Island as 60 degree weather brought strollers out on the promenades and on Main Street. The other half of topsy-turvy lands today.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Out and About
My goal, walking up the East Promenade was simple. The crabapple trees under the Roosevelt Island Bridge Helix are the first to blossom, beating out cherry blossoms by a week or so. I hoped I’d catch the first burst, but they weren’t close.
That still made a great reason for getting out for a walk – coatless – on our spring for one day. The walkways along the East River were filled with strollers, and a RIOC crew was busy with spring clean up.
After checking out the trees, I turned down Main Street and immediately met friends. Across from PS/IS 217, I talked with RIVAA President Tad Sudol and artist Ioan Popoiu. With pandemic restrictions pulling back, they’re opening this year’s Vernissage on March 5th.
Crossing Main Street, Nisi owner Kaie Razaghi told me what most Roosevelt Islanders already know – Main Street business has been terrible since the Omicron surge. But being ever resilient, Kaie’s planning a new menu in a few weeks, and we will bring it to you.
The best surprise was meeting the Roosevelt Islander blogger near Blackwell House. Before I discovered it, he spotted the awful handicapped un-access sign being removed. He’d already sent me a photo.
Conclusion
Things change. And that includes the weather. Temperatures go in the wrong direction today, falling through the 40s and 50s, ending our spring for one day. After a cool, dry weekend, Monday brings a high in the 50s. By Wednesday, we see 60s again.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily News
- Fall Prevention for Seniors: Make Your Apartment Safer, Nov. 20Fall prevention for seniors: Sen. Krueger’s Nov. 20 virtual roundtable tours a typical NYC apartment, with tips on landlord changes and balance. RSVP on Zoom.
- Thursday’s PSD blotter: two hospital runs, a trespass summons at 888 MainRIOC’s Nov. 12 PSD blotter lists 15 incidents: six medical calls, two alarms at 546 Main Street, and a late-night trespass at 888 Main Street that ended with a summons.
- Queens Home Prices and Rents Rise in October 2026 as Long Island City Condos Draw BuyersQueens home prices and rents rose in October 2026. See StreetEasy’s housing figures and Long Island City condo contract activity at Radiant and Vesta.
- Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 7: Get Answers on 2027 ChangesMedicare open enrollment ends Dec. 7. Sen. Krueger’s Nov. 16 virtual town hall covers 2027 premium, deductible and Part D changes, with a HIICAP expert’s Q&A.
- Wednesday’s PSD blotter: two medical calls, a water leak, a custody reportRIOC’s Nov. 11 PSD blotter lists 10 incidents, all on Main Street, including two medical calls at 555 Main Street, a water leak at 560 Main and a custody or visitation report.
You Can’t Be All Three
April 9, 2026, during the full board meeting of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, Fay Christian said something that should have landed harder than it did. She wished RIOC were not responsible for the tram. Then she asked what it would look like if it were given to the MTA. That was not a passing comment.
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