As newcomers flock to Roosevelt Island, transportation on and off the 147-acre landmass is becoming increasingly challenging. The temporary suspension for upgrades of the island's iconic tram next spring will only exacerbate the situation.

Published by The New York Observer on September 4, 2008.

In 2000, Roosevelt Island had less than 10,000 residents. Since then, 1,331 new apartments have gone up or are under construction. Another 1,160 are expected within the next five years.

Published by The New York Observer on September 1, 2008.

In the next two weeks, a new generation of experimental turbines will begin operating in the East River off Roosevelt Island. They'll try to generate electricity through the force generated by tide changes and currents that are often treacherous for sailboats and other craft.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on August 23, 2008.

In the next two weeks, a new generation of experimental turbines will begin operating in the East River off Roosevelt Island. They'll try to generate electricity through the force generated by tide changes and currents that are often treacherous for sailboats and other craft.

Published by SI Live on August 23, 2008.

Underwater turbines that went online off Roosevelt Island last summer make only enough electricity for a Gristedes supermarket and a parking lot.

Published by New York Daily News on August 21, 2008.

Give Bloomberg credit again for thinking out of the box. We’re already tapping tidal energy from the alternating current in the East River to power a supermarket and a parking garage on Roosevelt Island. The windmill, potent symbol of the city’s economic patrimony, might also herald a more energy efficient future.

Published by New York Times on August 21, 2008.

The city is already using tidal turbines under the East River that provide energy to Roosevelt Island. That technology could be widely expanded under the mayor’s proposal.

Published by New York Times on August 20, 2008.

Mora said he hopes someone in the neighborhood will come forward with information about the bird. He said he has heard stories about a man in nearby Roosevelt Island who dyed his dog's fur purple.

Published by New York Daily News on August 15, 2008.

Slender and mysterious, with a shape that the New York Times has likened to a baguette, Roosevelt Island has always held a strange place in New York's history, as befits its changing names and shifting identities.

Published by amNY.com on August 14, 2008.

Escalators at the 34th Street-Herald Square and Roosevelt Island stations in Manhattan and the Jamaica-Van Wyck and Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer stations in Queens were to begin operating at variable speed, as part of a pilot program to save energy and reduce wear and tear on escalator components.

Published by New York Times on August 11, 2008.

I did not get the chance to commute through the Roosevelt Island subway station today to gauge reactions to the new variable speed escalators but I suspect most commuters did not notice as I am sure it was a rare instance during rush hour when the escalators would slow down to the 15 feet per second speed.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on August 11, 2008.

According to “On Location Vacations” the hit TV show “Ugly Betty” was on Roosevelt Island today filming at Coler-Goldwater Hospital. No sightings being reported.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on August 7, 2008.

City Room blog post this evening starting this Monday the MTA will be switching four (4) of the new escalators at the Roosevelt Island station onto a variable speed system.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on August 5, 2008.

With no discernable Democratic or Republican challengers making themselves known on Roosevelt Island, City Council Member Jessica Lappin is hosting a BBQ picnic this coming Thursday, August 14th at Lighthouse Park from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on August 1, 2008.

According to a story in today's New York Post, July 30, 2008, the bathroom at the Roosevelt Island subway Station was found not only to be open but fully stocked with toilet paper. Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind conducted a study of 18 restrooms in three boroughs and found 10 were locked and four of the open restrooms lacked toilet paper.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 30, 2008.

"Richard C. Wade, who helped put cities on the map as an academic subject and who advised Democratic candidates including Adlai Stevenson, Robert F. Kennedy and George McGovern, died last Friday at his home on Roosevelt Island in New York City. He was 87."

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 25, 2008.

Last week I ran a post titled "The Last Straphanger" referring to a drawing made of an individual holding a hand strap in the Roosevelt Island Tram.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 24, 2008.

However in a Crain's New York Business.com article, posted this afternoon on-line, regarding the appointment of Skanska as MSG's rehabilitation construction manager Skanska's work on the Roosevelt Island Bridge was labelled a "major" New York project right there along the building of new Yankee Stadium.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 24, 2008.

The first of two Jazzmobile videos shot by Lillian Moreira was shown on the Roosevelt Islander so I figured I could present this second video posted to YouTube of the event that took place this past Tuesday on Roosevelt Island.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 24, 2008.

The assumption is that Roosevelt Island escalators ES 413 and ES 416 are the additional escalators being taken off line. The MTA Press Office was not able to confirm this but it has to be as ES 411 and ES 414 were replaced already.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 23, 2008.

People who live in the 14th Congressional District - which encompasses the upper East Side, Roosevelt Island and parts of Queens - live an average of 4 1/2 years longer and earn an average of three times more than their counterparts in California's Twentieth District, around Fresno, which ranked lowest according to the Measure of America Report.

Published by New York Daily News on July 17, 2008.

The Roosevelt Island tram began operating in 1976. There are 20 other trams operating in the U.S. and Canada but the Roosevelt Island tram is the only aerial commuter tram in the country.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 17, 2008.

According to the flyers posted this morning around Roosevelt Island a 15 year old named Michelle Lopez has been missing since 12:32 am. If this is correct the flyers were posted within 8 hours of her disappearance. Calls into both PSD and the 114 Precinct NYPD have not yet determined if the girl has been found at this time.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 17, 2008.

This evening, at approximately 9:00 pm, a number of individuals walking past Trellis noticed that the lights were out which could only mean bad news. According to the posted DOH notice Trellis has again been closed, as of 5:42 pm this evening, for accumulating 48 violation points.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 15, 2008.

But since those halcyon days it had to deal with comments in recent years that it was simply the "Pink Bridge" by many of Roosevelt Island's children so I guess when it finally was given a canvas it was bound to show its true feelings, and even though it is finally undergoing a new paint job and will be given new decking among other upgrades, it simply was one perturbed bridge.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 14, 2008.

The Roosevelt Island Bridge has never gotten any real respect from New York City. Sure it's very construction in the 1950's was a landmark event resulting in trolley cars being displaced off the larger Queensboro Bridge and an upside down elevator building was made obsolete.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 14, 2008.

First off, I am not endorsing this nor am I trying to spark copy cats. This is not the NY Times building. But apparently this individual had the desire to attempt to scale the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 14, 2008.

The difference between a good event and a truy successful event is advertising. Attendance at the Goodwill event at Roosevelt Island's Lighthouse Park from all reports can only be characterized as light.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 14, 2008.

"It's unbelievable," screamed rabid fan Jacob Fleitman, 25, of Roosevelt Island, who slept in the park through the night to make sure that he got a spot up front.

Published by New York Post on July 13, 2008.

I have always been intrigued by e-Bay and everything that gets sold on it. The above Roosevelt Island Lighthouse miniature was available only to members of the Harbour Lights Collectors Society and was retired in 4/2002. For this edition 20,000 copies were produced.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 11, 2008.

For a long time I have thought Roosevelt Island a great place for bicyclists to visit. I am wondering whether residents and / or NYC DOT would think Roosevelt Island a good place to establish a bulkhead for the NYC bike sharing program? I figured the bike racks could be set up near the Tram station (close to the walkway that wraps around the North end of the Racquet Club) under the Queensboro Bridge.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 10, 2008.

As resident of Roosevelt Island who travels via our Trams almost daily I have to admit when I first started riding them I felt somewhat uneasy during the experience but over the years have grown accustomed to the ride and no longer have any fears.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 10, 2008.

This Saturday at the entrance to Roosevelt Island's Lighthouse Park will be a recycling event co-sponsored by Good Will and the Council for the Environment of NYC.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 10, 2008.

I figured the bike racks could be set up near the Tram station (close to the walkway that wraps around the North end of the Racquet Club) under the Queensboro Bridge.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 10, 2008.

Simply an amazing view of Southpoint Park with all the lights and boats waiting for the fireworks to begin.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 8, 2008.

My goal was to watch what worked and what might have worked better with an eye towards a possible evacuation of Roosevelt Island if an emergency or weather condition force such an evacuation.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 7, 2008.

Below are two videos posted on YouTube of the Macy's Annual July 4th Fireworks displays as seen from Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park:

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 6, 2008.

It is being reported today on Gothamist that Starbucks will be closing 600 stores nationwide. It is unknown if the Roosevelt Island branch will be part of those closings.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 2, 2008.

According to an individual navigating residents away from walking along the Western promenade the film project lighting up the "boardwalk" was for a future episode of "Rescue Me" starring Dennis Leary. Lights from the shoot were clearly seen from the Roosevelt Island Tram.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 2, 2008.

Today, Tuesday, July 1, 2008, Representatives from State Senator Jose M. Serrano's office will be holding constituent hours on Roosevelt Island from 3pm to 7pm at the RIOC offices locatecd at 591 Main Street. State Senator Serrano's office hold

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 1, 2008.

The folks at Hudson Related have in the last few days erected a new sign advertising the Riverwalk complex on Roosevelt Island.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on July 1, 2008.

Presumably the local Senior Center here on Roosevelt Island would have no issues as it appears to be quite active but today's New York Times, June 30, 2008, is reporting that under a new Bloomberg plan centers will have to prove they are adding value and increasing attendance or risk losing funding in some manner.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on June 30, 2008.

Coming back to Roosevelt Island early yesterday afternoon I saw that

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on June 30, 2008.

Sportspark located on Roosevelt Island has apparently added additional hours to its early morning open swim program.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on June 30, 2008.

There are many items on the Roosevelt Island landscape that tend to blend into the background as we go about our daily lives. Much of our street furniture such as the FDNY / NYPD Call Boxes fall into that category. They tend to simply exist unless you need them and then they become all important.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on June 27, 2008.

Todd P brings his annual BBQ back to Roosevelt Island this Sunday. Get there early and enjoy a full day of unamplified sets, picnics and whatever else you can get into over there.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on June 27, 2008.

According to a representative of the MTA that attended this evening's Community Board 8 meeting the subway will NOT stop on Roosevelt Island (also Lex/63rd and 21st St. / Queensbridge) in one direction on the following Summer weekends:

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on June 25, 2008.

Last night Manhattan Community Board 8 held a special joint Roosevelt Island and Transportation Committee meeting at the New York Blood Center. It was held in the Auditorium in case a large number of individuals attended. It was not needed. The following are my thoughts and reactions as well information provided to us in the order of the agenda.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on June 25, 2008.

Elie Granger, 46, was riding his mountain bike near the Queensborough Bridge in Long Island City, Queens, when he passed Eduarda Oliva, 37, and her 13-year-old daughter. Officials said Granger stabbed Ms. Oliva in the chest and fled the scene on his bike, leaving her daughter unharmed. Police said Mr. Oliva is in critical but stable condition.

Published by New York Sun on June 25, 2008.

As I reported about 6 weeks ago the DOT was putting into action a plan to remove parking spaces on Vernon Blvd, LIC for bike lanes. At the time, not owning a car, I did not expect there would be an impact on Roosevelt Island car owners. Boy was I wrong.

Published by Roosevelt Island 360 on June 25, 2008.