For years now, RIOC’s disrespect for historic sites annoyed and irritated, but the Island’s worst eyesore occupies a special place in neglect. It’s not just hideous, it’s a slap in the face.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
With friends like RIOC, what historic site needs enemies? Is a picture really worth a thousand words? Maybe two-thousand…
For decades, the original Tram cabins served Roosevelt Islanders with quick rides across the East River. Considered community treasures, unique in not only New York City but also in the world, they finally surrendered to newer technology.
Community groups floated ideas for repurposing them as welcome centers at Southpoint and parts of art projects. Just last night, The Roosevelt Island Business Association (TRIBA) resurrected the idea, but after years of neglect and terrible abuse, they may not be salvageable.
Roosevelt Island’s Historic Worst Eyesore
Look at the picture leading this article. For over a decade and despite numerous protests, RIOC’s left the original Tram cabins to rot just outside the Motorgate Atrium. While struggling to upgrade it into an art gallery, they left the crumbling, graffiti-ridden cabins unprotected in place.
How could they miss that? The historic equipment didn’t rate so much as a tarp for protective covering. Today, the windows are smashed, and viewers can only imagine the havoc inside.
The neglect in plain sight is mind-boggling.
Tad Sudol, Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association president at the time, suggested an art exhibit, using the saved pulleys and gears. But all that’s buried under years of dust and feces.
Perhaps the most surprising thing is that RIOC has no plans for the equipment or cabins. All recommendations and shaming have floated by without causing a ripple at the top.
While the state agency is under new, interim leadership now, they’ve not budged while many senior staff members have been busy ignoring Roosevelt Islands insulting and disgraceful eyesore for years.
Is this how we treat old friends and cherished treasures? Apparently, for now, it is.
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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