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.
Susan Rosenthal, a Sacrificial Lamb?*
After Susan Rosenthal was fired, David Kraut would talk about almost anything except Susan. This was unusual because David could discuss a subject long after everyone else had exhausted both the subject and the available oxygen. When her name entered the conversation, however, he became careful. At first I mistook that restraint for discretion; later, I began to recognize guilt.
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