Over a year ago, alongside work on The Girl Puzzle, the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse restoration was underway, projected for a finish in 2021. But some things went wrong, and RIOC missed another suggested finish in February. Where does it stand now?
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Updates on the project were infrequent in the past couple of years, but hopes were that the historic lighthouse would be done in time for The Girl Puzzle ribbon-cutting. That happened on December 10th. At the time, the work looked about as it looks now.
Some problems plague the site, but the only one we’re aware of is the glass in the tower. Breaks forced engineers to reconsider recommendations. Because the state agency in charge is so secretive, we don’t know more.
However, in RIOC’s January newsletter, a February finish was projected. No further updates, newsletters or board meetings have taken place in 2022.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- How Queens News Impacts Roosevelt Island Routines and Community LifeExplore how queens news impacts Roosevelt Island routines and community life, from public safety updates and election changes to housing assistance and local celebrations.
- What’s New Across Western Queens: Safety, Community, and Spring at Our DoorstepExplore what’s new across Western Queens this week, including safety updates, casino developments, real estate, and local dining—news that shapes Roosevelt Island life.
- A Full Week Across the River: How Roosevelt Island and Queens Lives IntersectA full week across the river shows how life on Roosevelt Island connects with Queens—covering public safety, legal updates, G train disruptions, and neighborhood events.
- Roosevelt Island Weekly Recap: Community Life, Local News, and Everyday ConnectionsOur Roosevelt Island weekly recap covers local news, community events, and the threads of daily life connecting neighbors on and off the island.
- Queens News Highlights and Roosevelt Island Community ConnectionsExplore the week’s Queens news highlights and Roosevelt Island community connections, from public safety to housing, historic places, and local events.
The Line That Didn’t Land
I stood in the back of Good Shepherd Chapel on the evening of April 15, 2026, at the Steam Plant Demolition Town Hall, watching people adjust scarves and jackets before the meeting began. Benjamin Jones, President and CEO of RIOC, thanked us for attending and, without a pause, said he was “pleased to host tonight’s town hall on the city’s demolition of its steam plant.” The demolition, in other words, was not up for discussion.
4 COMMENTS