The 1969 Master Plan for Roosevelt Island envisioned a radical transformation, and while not fully realized, it left a lasting mark. Here’s a breakdown of the key contrasts between the envisioned future and the current reality:
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Transportation:
- Then: A car-free, pedestrian-oriented Main Street with a mini-transit system.
- Now: Cars are allowed on most roads, with Main Street a fright with Z-Bricks and their inadequate support system failing. The Roosevelt Island Tram the Q102 Bus and NYC Subway F Train serve as public transportation links to Queens and Manhattan.
Urban Design:
- Then: High-density living with a human touch. Towers branching off from a central Main Street with seven-story “street walls” for a community feel.
- Now: High-rise apartment buildings dominate the landscape, with varying degrees of success in fostering a strong sense of community.
Open Space and Waterfront:
- Then: Emphasis on maximizing green spaces and waterfront access with landscaped promenades along the East River.
- Now: Roosevelt Island offers green spaces like Lighthouse and Southpoint Parks and waterfront promenades, echoing the original vision – but far from landscaped.
Community Amenities:
- Then: A self-contained community with commercial spaces, shops, restaurants, and other amenities within the island.
- Now: The island has seen some development of shops and restaurants, but it still relies on Manhattan for many amenities, deviating from the envisioned self-sufficiency, which was not much more than fantasy to begin with.
Overall Impact:
- Then: A futuristic vision for urban living, prioritizing pedestrians, community, and green spaces.
- Now: A thriving residential area with a mix of successes and missed opportunities. The car-free concept wasn’t adopted, but the plan’s emphasis on open space and waterfront access has been mostly realized.
The 1969 Master Plan serves as a reminder of the power of bold urban planning ideas. While some aspects proved impractical, the plan undeniably shaped Roosevelt Island’s path from an institutional/industrial area to a vibrant community.
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.
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