Dated Thursday, 3/04/08
Hello,

 We are a group of 10 adults visiting NYC for the 4th of July fireworks and celebrations this year. We would like tickets for seating on Roosevelt Island if possible. Could you please advise when the tickets will be going on sale. As we will be traveling through the US for nearly 4 weeks prior to arriving in NYC, it will not be possible for us to access your ticket sales once we leave Australia.

 Thank you.
 Greg and Kathy

Hello Greg and Kathy,

Don't worry, you will have enough time. Tickets will be available for purchase on our website , www.rioc.com , beginning May 1st, 2008.The view of the fireworks on Roosevelt Island is considered to be the most extraordinary view in the city. The best way to get to Roosevelt island on July 4th is by public transportation. You can either take the Tram or the F train. For more information, please check out http://www.rioc.com/transportation.htm

Erica

Dated Thursday, 2/21/08
Hi Erica,

My daughter is looking to relocate to R.I. I have a few questions that hopefully you can answer or direct me to those who may be able to:
1. Is there a central real estate office within RIOC for Roosevelt Island apartments? (contact number)
2. Which buildings have apartments that are leased and which are condo/co-ops?
3. Are leases affordable or market rate leases?
Thanks in advance for any assistance you may be able to provide.

Sincerely,
Pete D.

Hello Pete,

To answer your questions:

1. Is there a central real estate office within RIOC for Roosevelt Island apartments? (contact number)
Unfortunately, RIOC does not handle residential rentals on the island. However, you can contact the management office of each residential building on the island to inquire about possible openings.
For more information, please visit: http://www.rioc.com/housing.htm#companies

2. Which buildings have apartments that are leased and which are condo/co-ops?
Condos are available at Southtown buildings, Co-ops are only available at Rivercross, all other buildings are leased rentals.

3. Are leases affordable or market rate leases?
It varies from each residential building.

Hopefully, this information helps. Please feel free to email me with any additional questions.

Erica

Dated Wednesday, 2/13/08
Hi Erica,

Can you please tell me what kind of permit is needed to use the tennis courts on RI and how one gets it? My family lives on Staten Island and for years gets annual tennis permits to use the tennis courts there (Silver Lake park). Are these the same permits?

Thanks,
 Eric

Hi Eric,

Roosevelt Island tennis permits are not the same as the Silver Lake park permits on Staten Island. Please contact Donna Masly, Program Service Assistant, at 212-832-4563 for more information regarding obtaining tennis permits on Roosevelt Island.

Erica

Thanks,

Julie-Resident of RI. :)

Hi Julie,

The Shoppers' Bus stops in front of the senior building, 546 Main Street, every Tuesday and Wednesday of each month at 10:30am and makes a stop at the Associated grocery store in Queens. Every second Tuesday and Wednesday of each month, the shoppers bus makes an additional stop at Costco. If you are indeed taking the bus to Costco, we advise all passengers to bring shopping bags and/or shopping carts for groceries. Pick up & drop off location will be located at the Costco bus stop. The Red Bus can not drive inside of the Costco parking lot.

Erica

Dated Friday, 2/1/08
Dear Erica:

I am NYC resident and I have a question about the Roosevelt Island Tramway. On March 2nd, when the MTA increase it's price the price of the Metro Card, will it be posted at the Tram Station and bus stop?

Yuki Endo from NY.

Yuki,

In the event of a MTA fare increase, appropriate signage will be posted at the Tram, bus stop and on our website.

Erica

Dated Wednesday 1/9/08
Hi Erica,

Can you please tell me if the open swim times on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, are still open?  The website says so but I had heard that the pool might be stopping the open swims.

Thanks.
Jason

Hi Jason,

Due to the community's request, we have modified the open swim schedule for the winter season. The new schedule is as follows:

Open Swim
Adults Only
When: Tuesday 6:00 - 9:00 & Saturday 4:00 - 7:00

All Ages
When: Thursday 6:00 - 9:00 & Saturday 12:00 - 3:00

Anyone under 18 Must be accompanied by an Adult

Where: Sportspark Swim Center - East side entrance 250 Main Street

Seniors Swim Free at ALL Open Swim Times

For additional information please call Carol Rubino at 212-832-4569.

Dated Monday 1/7/08
Good day dear Erica,

I am a resident of Roosevelt Island and was wondering if we have a facility where people can play racquetball (or handball)?

Thank you so much, awaiting for your advise...

With sincerest gratitude and very best regards.

- Andrei

Andrei,

Yes, the Roosevelt Island Racquet Club (Tennis Bubble) is located at the southern most end of the island just south of the Tram. For more information on specifics, times and rates., please call 212-935-0250

Dated Thursday 1/3/08
Hello Erica!

How long is the Red Bus route? Is breakfast/ lunch available along the route?

THX & Joyfully Blessed,

Tim & Suzanne Ellis

Hi Tim,

The Red Bus route is just short of 2 miles long and runs every 7 minutes during rush hour and every 15 minutes during non-peak hours. Along the route there are a few places to eat breakfast and lunch including Trellis Diner, China 1 Chinese restaurant and Nonno's pizzeria which recently opened a few weeks ago.

Dated Friday 12/21/07
Hello-
I am interested in applying for a community garden plot. I did not see a link on the website. Can you give the contact information to apply for a space.

Thanks,
Curtis

Hello Curtis,

Ron Schupert is the President of the Community Garden Club and heads a fantastic community program. To apply for space, you can either fill out an information card located at the front entrance of the Garden, and drop the information card inside the garden mailbox or you can give him a call at 212-308-9863. I believe there is a waiting list for space but I would strongly suggest that you sign up. Ron is also available to give tours of the garden.
Good luck.

Thanks.
Deborah

Hi Deborah,

The annual Christmas tree sale, presented by the Boy Scouts, is located at the Motorgate Atrium near Gristedes and by the bus stop.

Dates & and Times of Sales:
Dec.14th 6-8pm, Dec. 15th 10am-6pm, Dec.16th 1pm-6pm, Dec.17th 6pm-8pm, Dec. 20th 6pm-8pm, Dec. 21st 6pm-8pm, Dec. 22nd 10am-6pm, & Dec 23rd 3pm-7pm.

You have until Sunday, December 23rd to pick up a fresh Tree for the holidays. Good luck.

Hi,

You can drop off any unwanted clothing to the Thrift Store located at 520 Main Street. The Thrift Store hours of operation are Monday-Wednesday 12-7pm, Thursdays 12-9pm and Friday -Saturday 12-7pm.

Hi Diana,

Most of the time you will indeed need a permit for such an occasion on the island. Permit prices vary, depending on location, size of the party and other services needed for the event, i.e. public safety officers, cleanup crew, etc. In addition, couples like to take advantage of including other amenities such as porta potties, generators, tables, parking, etc. Donna Masly, Program Service Assistant, handles permits for the island and prefers to sit down with couples interested in having a wedding on Roosevelt Island to see what they're envisioning. She's then able to give a more accurate price. You can reach Donna at 212-832-4563. Good luck!

Hi Atara,

AVAC (Automatic Vacuum Collection System) was first installed in Sweden in 1961. Only six such systems have been used in the U.S., including that of Disney World. Built in 1975, Roosevelt Island, however, boasts the only AVAC system used in a residential setting. It is also the largest such system in the U.S., able to collect trash from over 14,000 people.
Roosevelt Island Trash travels the high-tech route of the AVAC System. A computer brings the trash receptacles in each building to life every hour, opening up a valve that releases trash into one of two underground pipes. There are two main pipes, one each along Roosevelt island's east and west sides, that alternate operation every 30 minutes. The trash is whisked away through these pipes at 55 mph to the AVAC complex across the street from the Octagon Soccer Field. When the trash reaches the complex, a cyclone effect separates dust from the air, which is then filtered and released. One of the system's five compactors then crushes the trash to 1/5 its original size and seals it in 50 cubic-yard containers. The New York City Department of Sanitation trucks these containers to either an incinerator or a barge in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. This method of disposal minimizes air pollution and smell and economizes on manpower. Tenants, however, are responsible for separating their recyclable goods and can either dispose items into the designated containers in their buildings or bring their items to the AVAC Complex.