We’ve turned a page on Roosevelt Island, one taking us back to the visioning snuffed out by COVID turmoil. NYC Health & Hospitals Coler teams up with Roosevelt Islanders, going back to the future.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Visioning the Berm
At a recent RIOC board meeting, representatives from Coler introduced a new initiative addressing flood protections for the longterm care facility. Superstorm Sandy badly battered Coler and preparing for future catastrophes was back on the table.
In 2019, both a berm-style plan and an expansion for Lighthouse Park began merging in tandem. Then, COVID turned the world upside down, scrambling plans around the world, but as always, things migrate back to normal.
At the board meeting, community members stepped up, reminding the Coler team that their 2019 and before planning included consideration of neighboring Lighthouse Park. Those concerns are more critical now after park upgrades, Roosevelt Island Lighthouse restoration and installation of The Girl Puzzle.
Since then, Roosevelt Islanders Paul Krikler, Judith Berdy and Margie Smith have continued discussions about mutual concerns with Coler’s team.
Progress led to bringing the community in for an open discussion and visioning about Roosevelt Island’s north end and the inevitable floods brought by climate change.
The first meeting is set for Thursday, May 2nd at the Good Shepherd Community Center, 543 Main Street, form 5:30 until 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Bring you ideas and interests.
What the Thermostat Forgot
I didn’t write this because I like the sound of my own radiator—not that it makes any. I wrote it because what’s happening at Roosevelt Landings isn’t just a story about heat or bills or broken promises. It’s about what gets lost in the fine print when no one shows up to remember. It’s about how silence seeps into walls the same way cold does—slowly, then all at once.
1 COMMENTS