Welcome to summer!  It seems like this is going to be another year where we skip spring and move right into summer.  I am happy to announce that some plantings have started to mark this occasion and more will continue as the season progresses.  As sad as I am to see the cherry blossoms fall, I am looking forward to my first full summer on the Island.

As promised, I have a total amount of the charges to Dark Water for their filming on the Island.  (Please note that this only includes the permit amounts and does not include the amounts paid to commercial tenants, individuals or building management.)  That amount is $66,703, including reimbursement for any damages.  While the majority of this is put into the general operating budget to pay for Island upkeep, some of it is being set aside for new planters and plantings.  I look forward to being able to do other special projects as additional filming projects become available.

Now that the elevator at the Tram has been operational for a somewhat extended period of time, I am focusing fully on the elevators at Motorgate.  We have received a report from an elevator consultant, and unfortunately the news was not great.  The consultant is now helping us to set the scope of work to be bid by elevator contractors.    This is a somewhat long process.

The good news is that once the process is complete the elevators will be fully operational.  This is not a repair job, but rather a major renovation.  I am looking forward to finally having all of the elevators on the Island working at the same time!

As I announced in my last column, we are going to have a transportation and event hotline set up in the very near future.  I will announce the phone number before the next column by posting signs on the kiosks and in the buses.  I will also give copies to each of the buildings.
I will also print the number in my next column.  We invite everyone to call to get updates on Island events as well.

One of the first events that we will announce on the transportation and event hotline is Roosevelt Island Day.  I am looking forward to my first one and have already reached out to some government agencies to ask if they will set up some information booths for Island residents.  I will also keep you posted on this.  From what I understand from the event’s organizers, this is going to be one of the, if not the, best ever.

Finally, I am happy to say that the first phase of work will soon begin on Blackwell House. This phase includes items that will prevent further damage to the building.  For example, the roof and drainage areas will both be improved.  The landmarks on the Island are such an important part of the community, and I am committed to working on their preservation.

I hope that everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather.  I am constantly amazed by the beauty of the Island.