At the October 14 meeting RIOC Board meeting, agency President Robert H. Ryan responded to several questions about Southtown, Southpoint, and the still-open proposal to convert the Island's west shore minischools into luxury condominiums. (Partial transcript.) One questioner, Nurit Marcus, called the announced plan for Southtown "horrendous, [a] disaster."

"Give me a chance. Maybe I'll surprise you," Ryan said.

Common Council member Linda Heimer expressed dismay that the RIOC Board had lost valuable leverage by approving the Hudson/Related plans for Southtown while significant details remained unsettled. She urged that the Board's Capital Planning and Development Committee review and approve plan details before approving developers in the future.

Rivercross resident Ed Hussey also asked about specifics of the Hudson/Related plan for Southtown, asking why construction couldn't begin near the Tram station. Ryan explained that existing infrastructure (electric, gas, water, sewer, and the AVAC garbage removal system) ends just north of the Southtown area, making it the lower-cost point to start building. "We would be spending a huge amount of money if we started... at the Tram," Ryan said, "and we'd be throwing tax dollars away."

Hussey asked Ryan how building materials would be brought on-Island during Southtown construction. Ryan had no specific answer, but told him, "We're working with the developers... I am not going to allow the quality of life on this Island to be disturbed... I am working with the developers, working with our consultant, to engineer an operation that will have the least impact on quality of life."

Hussey also sought reassurance on trees and was told by Vincent Arcuri of Morse-Diesel (the RIOC representative on the project) that the current plan calls for all or nearly all existing trees to be saved.

Judith Berdy, President of the Historical Society and a member of the Residents Association Planning Committee, also sought to reassure residents about opportunities for input before Southtown construction begins. "We're not going to let anything slip by," she said. "Come to the RIRA [Common Council] meeting, and we'll tell you when we're going to meet with the developers."

Longtime resident Shirley Margolin drew applause when she asked Ryan about the status of a proposal to build a twin-tower hotel on the Island's southernmost ten acres of land, saying, "We believe we are entitled to that magnificient parkland."

Ed Eagle asked Ryan why an August recommendation of the RIOC Board's Capital Planning and Development Committee (CPDC) that plans to turn the Island's west shore minichools into luxury condominiums has not yet been acted on by the RIOC Board. Ryan responded that a resolution is being drafted for CPDC, and that it will then be considered by RIOC's Directors.

One questioner, Milt Marcus, excoriated the minicondo proposal as an "act of pure greed," and asked the RIOC Board to form a group to find a tenant who will make use of the properties without adding a second story.

Ryan added, in a comment bearing on both the minischools and Southpoint, that because RFPs (Requests for Proposals) were put out by RIOC and developers responded, the requisite process must be followed. While some have interpreted such responses as Ryan's suggestion that the proposals will ultimately be rejected, he has not dropped so much as a hint in answering questions. "My job is to work the process," he said.

Ryan responded to questions about loss of the soccer field north of the Nurses Residence, rhapsodizing that a new field planned for the southeast corner of the Southtown property will "look like Yankee Stadium" by comparison with the present field.

Asked about the status of negotiations for use of MetroCard on the Tram, Ryan said he has talked with MTA Chairman Virgil Conway, but "the matter is far more complicated than people understand. It amazed me the number of influences that come into this process." He said he hopes for some word, "one way or the other," by year's end.

Asked by Lillian Shaman if he intends to continue to maintain self-sufficiency, and not ask the State for funds, Ryan responded that in taking tax money from Albany, Islanders would be "reaching into your own pocket." He cited attempts to generate new revenue streams, then added, "There's nothing wrong with self-sufficiency as long as it doesn't impact quality of life."

Ryan again reassured those concerned about deterioration of Blackwell House that the tenant will be out by November 1 and that RIOC will immediately begin to stabilize the structure. Ryan also promised work on Good Shepherd Chapel, where the Board meeting and open forum were held.