Thursday, May 1, 2025 – RIOC ON THE ROAD TO IMPROVE ROADS AND OPEN FACILITIES


REPAIRS COMING TO
BUMPY MAIN STREET,
TEMPORARILY
TIME FOR MORE VISITORS TO
USE SPORTSPARK*
TIME FOR PUBLIC FACILITIES
AT FIREFIGHTERS’ FIELD
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Judith Berdy
ISSUE #14359
This memo came out today announcing repairs to Main Street,
Though, they are temporary it will be an improvement especially to the crosswallks.
See the memo below:
Dear Roosevelt Island Community,
Starting Monday, May 5, RIOC will begin performing necessary maintenance work on Main Street between 510 Main Street and 580 Main Street. This work will temporarily impact traffic and parking in the area, and is expected to last through Wednesday, May 14.
What to Know
RIOC will be addressing persistent problem areas along Main Street where the road surface has become uneven and hazardous. We will be removing sections of z-brick and replacing them with a new asphalt surface that is safer for both motorists and pedestrians.
Although this work is not part of the major Roadways Project currently underway, it is an important interim step needed to improve traffic safety.
Work hours: Weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Impacts to Parking
There will be NO PARKING for ANY vehicles, including those with placards, between 501 Main Street and 571 Main Street, from Monday, May 5 through Wednesday, May 14.
This restriction allows for the creation of two temporary lanes in the southbound lane to accommodate traffic during construction. Motorists who typically park in this area are encouraged to use Motorgate Garage during this period.
Impacts to Traffic
During construction, the northbound lane of Main Street between 510 and 580 Main Street will be closed. The southbound lane will be temporarily converted into two-way traffic using the cleared parking lane.
Flaggers and Public Safety Department (PSD) officers will be on-site to monitor and assist with traffic and pedestrian safety.
Impacts to Pedestrians
As part of this work, the crosswalk at Good Shepherd Chapel will be replaced. The current z-brick crosswalk will be removed and replaced with a level asphalt surface for improved safety.
During this time, the crosswalk will be periodically closed to pedestrians. However, the sidewalks along the work route will remain open and accessible.
If the full scope of work is completed ahead of schedule, RIOC will reopen the northbound lane and restore parking as soon as possible.
Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
– RIOC Maintenance
*RIOC agrees to permit visitors and residents to use bathrooms in Sportspark. SInce Sportspark re-opened a few years ago, the staff there would not permit non members to use their bathrooms.
At the Visitor Center we repeaetedly asked RIOC to change the rules. It is not fair to have facilities in a public building that are limited to members only.
At last night’s Operations Meeting, Mary Cunneen, RIOC’s Chief Operating Officer agreed to change the rules, that visitors use the bathrooms and the signs advising otherwise would be removed.
We now have signage on the kiosk doors advising of the availabilty.
See below:
Thanks, Mary!!
PUBLIC BATHROOMS
ARE AVAILABLE
AT
SPORTSPARK
250 MAIN STREET
WALK UNDER BRIDGE,
BUILDING ON THE LEFT
THANK YOU
And finally, a push to have precast concrete toilets installed at Firefighters’ Field. This need was presented to the RIOC Operations Committee and hopefully this need will become a reality.
Below is a link to a company that can provide attractive units to the island ball field.

This is just a sample of facilities available from one vendor. There are a multitude of stryles, sizes and colors available. Below is website:
https://lbfoster.com/infrastructure/precast-concrete-buildings/restroom-buildings
PHOTO OF THE DAY
The view of the Island 12 years ago

CREDITS
JUDITH BERDY
RIOC
LB FOSTER
All image are copyrighted (c) Roosevelt Island Historical Society unless otherwise indicated
THIS PUBLICATION FUNDED BY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE MENIN & ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDS.


Copyright © 2024 Roosevelt Island Historical Society, All rights reserved.Our mailing address is:
rooseveltislandhistory@gmail.com
Leave a comment