Welcome to the Roosevelt Island circus, where RIOC juggles greed and incompetence like pros! They rake in nearly $1.8 million but still want more from businesses. Hudson-Related swoops in like a hero, and RIOC finally wakes up to digital signs. The solution? Pay to promote elsewhere! Who knew charity could be this promotional?
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
RIOC collects almost $1.8 million annually from commercial rents on Main Street, but that’s not enough. Now, the state agency demands rent buying business cough up more for any promotion. (Solution below.)
For years, Main Street businesses pleaded with RIOC to do something – anything. Visitors arriving by Tram or subway were never encouraged to head north toward the long-struggling commercial strip.
RIOC never did, but as a result, Hudson-Related stepped in. The wayfinding signs at various locations came after it was clear that RIOC couldn’t or wouldn’t do anything. Given the simple assignment of updating what Hudson Related paid for, they couldn’t pull that off either.
Greed Inspires RIOC
The state agency that never gets it wrong recently rose up from slumber. They installed digital signs at the Tram and Sportspark. A few people still trust RIOC’s goodwill and responded positively. However, it’s now clear that simple greed, not good intentions, inspired it.
These kiosks will help keep islanders informed about RIOC events and initiatives and encourage visitors to explore all that the island has to offer, including our wonderful shops, green spaces, art installations, and historical sites. Any small business or nonprofit interested in advertising on our kiosks, digital signs, and other advertising platforms should visit https://rioc.ny.gov/304/Advertising for more information.
The greed goes beyond the money-grubbing high rents already demanded, it adds competition for limited advertising dollars. Ad-dependent news sources like The Daily rarely collect significant revenue from local businesses. Many of them struggle just for rent. Mostly, we post about them for free.
Significantly, while it counts on local news outlets for distributing information about events, RIOC never contributes ten cents to costs. It does not pay for advertising – although it expects struggling local businesses to.
“Roosevelt Island businesses and organizations contribute to the overall quality of life of the island and the city’s residents,” RIOC crows on its website. “It is the goal of RIOC to allow businesses and organizations a cost-effective way to promote their entity.”
That’s RIOCspeak. Promoting the businesses already paying rent obviously is not “the goal.” They just don’t put it that way.
A Solution
Any local business with spare cash is invited to contribute to a local nonprofit instead of RIOC Greedspace. For any business that gives at least $100 to a local nonprofit, in return, The Daily will offer one free month of advertising on our digital news source.
Our favorites are the Wildlife Freedom Foundation (WFF), Main Street Theatre an Dance Alliance (MSTDA), Gallery RIVAA and the Carter Burden Network (CBN).
Chip in, then let us know about it. Thanks.
Before the Door Closed
The May 14 RIOC board meeting began with public concern over the steam plant and ended with two votes that revealed more than any report could. Some meetings announce themselves by what is said. This one announced itself by what the room permitted to move and what it stopped before it could breathe.
