RIOC’s Blackwell House Dilemma: Searching for a Path Forward –...

Blackwell House has been caught in an unsettling churn over the last few years. From opening after an expensive restoration to executive suite to quietly closed for most purposes – what comes next?

by David Stone

The Roosevelt Island Daily News

The centuries-old farmhouse is a showpiece, carefully restored after decades of neglect and reopened in late 2020. Historical Society president, Roosevelt Islander, Judith Berdy assured authenticity and helped decorate with photos lining the walls. The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) invested millions into getting it right, including less visible infrastructure upgrades.

But late last year, this happened: “Blackwell House is temporarily closed for public access.” It was the result of a series of inexplicable missteps. No one’s sure how they will be resolved.

Blackwell House, Then and Now

In the 1800s, the families living in Blackwell House had a perfect sunrise view of New York City’s first bedroom community: Ravenswood, a suburb rising on the west shore of Long Island.

Today, modernity surrounds the old farmhouse with high rises on both flanks and views of a far different Ravenswood, now home to a massive power plant. It’s also quiet again. Nobody lives or works there, and few come through the door.

“We’re still working on the longer-term plan for Blackwell House,” RIOC communications director Bryant Daniels told The Daily. “Given that it’s still Executive office space, we need to keep a close eye on what happens in there, which is why it’s mostly been closed since January.”

That tiptoes over a troubling reality.

After the community supported the restoration of a shared space in a beautiful landmark building, RIOC’s President/CEO Shelton J. Haynes took over the second floor for executive offices. Among other reasons, the move was inappropriate because that space is not ADA-compliant.

Converting historical space into an office featuring a chessboard and sports memorabilia defeated the purpose of the costly renovation.

The Haynes suspension…

Then, in a confusing conclusion to a turbulent period within RIOC, Haynes was put on paid leave pending investigations. He didn’t take the keys to Blackwell House with him, but he might as well have. Except for security check-ins, it seems that no one has climbed the stairs to his office since January.

“You can however still permit the space out for use, which a few groups have done over the past couple of months,” Daniels continued.

“PSD officers are stationed at these permitted events for security. Our Maintenance teams are also going into the house regularly to check on things and make sure everything looks good.”

Since the executive offices set up on the second floor closed – temporarily – security has been reduced, causing the closures.

What’s next for Blackwell House

It’s unclear why RIOC has not reopened the site for regular visits, but so is a good deal about the state agency while awaiting Haynes’s fate. Also, increased demand for public safety presence at the Tram and Sportspark strains limited resources.

“The house is obviously a hugely important piece of Roosevelt Island history,” Daniels said. “So we’d like to ensure people from both on and off the island can enjoy it more regularly again. What that looks like and when still needs to be determined.”

Will the second floor remain a home for RIOC executives? Probably not because it’s not appropriate use for a historically designated site.

Although the Historical Society may or may not be interested in some sort of presence, many Roosevelt Islanders would prefer community use. What that may be hasn’t taken shape yet, but RIOC’s interim management has its ears open. Any change, though, must await the question of Haynes’s return, and that’s completely unpredictable.

Take a moment and share your thoughts below or with RIOC’s Constituent Services.