It’s Official: Two New Resident Members Join the RIOC Board
Big news for Roosevelt Island! On June 9th, the New York State Senate officially confirmed Marc Block and Melissa Wade as the newest resident members of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) Board.
Both Marc and Melissa are longtime Island residents who bring deep community roots and fresh energy to RIOC’s leadership. Their appointments were confirmed during a public meeting of the Senate Finance Committee, and you can find the full agenda right here.
Why this matters:
The RIOC Board makes key decisions that impact all of us, from how our parks are maintained to how public purpose funds are distributed. Having engaged Roosevelt Islanders like Marc and Melissa on the Board means our voices, and our lived experiences, will have stronger representation at the table.
A Community Win
Resident representation on RIOC has long been a community priority, and this latest confirmation is a meaningful step in the right direction. While we’re excited to learn more about what Marc and Melissa hope to bring to the role, we already know one thing for sure: their presence makes the board stronger.
If you see them around the neighborhood, be sure to say hello and thank them for stepping up to serve.
Welcome aboard, Marc and Melissa! Roosevelt Island is cheering you on.
A Different Kind of Bet
For years, Roosevelt Island did not behave like a system constrained by limits. Internally, the budget was often treated less as a boundary and more as a reservoir to be used.
