The MTA invested in Double Take, world class artwork designed to brighten and enlighten an otherwise dull, wasted urban space. But on opening day, it already took a backseat to Roosevelt Island’s plague of parked cars and trucks. A community built with a car-free – as much as possible – intent is now overrun with them.
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Island of Art or Island of Cars?
As some lingering signs attest, when Ed Logue envisioned his plan for Roosevelt Island, limiting cars was a major factor. But now, the pedestrian friendly Z-brick roads are pothole-ridden messes while cars, trucks and speeding e-bikes have unlimited access and uncontrolled excess.
Esthetics rate far behind cars. Parking and noise from vehicles dominates Main Street. Even RIVAA went quiet on their Island of Art concept, taking no notice of Diana Cooper’s Double Take opening in prime space outside the F Train station.
But that’s not what happens…
Double Take Reality
But What You See Is What You Get
No question, Diana Cooper’s Double Take is wonderful, imaginative and visually stunning. You don’t need to understand the artist’s thinking to appreciate its beauty.
But somewhere along the line, we do need appreciation and protection. Roosevelt Island reality made a crude joke of opening day, planned years ahead with a Pollyanna mindset…
What could go wrong?
Rivercross and the Quiet Green Light
Rivercross privatization was enabled in 2010. This matters now because the same governance structures that allowed Rivercross to privatize without formal conflict controls are still in place. The same public authority oversees land leases, settlements, and redevelopment decisions that affect every resident on Roosevelt Island today.
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