Historic Districts Council Newsstand

From local advocate SJ Avery:

As you have probably heard by now, on Tuesday, the City Council voted to approve the SCA’s plan for PS 133. Below you will see  the votes in the subcommittee, the committee and the full Council. As you will observe, at least one local councilman who said he was going to vote against the plan voted for it.

We understand that the Council has asked for some considerations related to their approval, related to the DEC being involved in review of the site and more public input as the plan progresses, but we do not have final language on that now – as soon as we do, we will make it available. Those council members who voted against the plan deserve our thanks – and those who voted for it… well, some are running for citywide office and I, for one, will remember how they voted.

The vote in sub-committee (Landmarks, Public Sitting, and Maritime Uses) was 6-2, with Barron and Mendez voting against the PS 133 item.

The Vote in full committee (Land Use) was 18-3, with Barron, Mendez and Avella voting against it.

 In the full Council, the final vote count was 46 to 4. Avella, Barron, James and Mendez all voted against it.

Many thanks to all who worked so hard on this issue – and for many of us, a new round of “civic engagement” is just beginning. Once there is more time to digest just what the Council recommendations were, and what happens next, we will meet to talk about next steps

Many, many thanks to all the individuals who worked so hard on this issue – and a shout out to organizations like Park Slope Civic Council, Park Slope Neighbors, the Fifth Avenue Committee, the Historic Districts Council, Baltic Street Community Garden, Green Guerrillas; the Flatbush Gardener, New York City Community Garden Coalition, and the Brooklyn Community Garden Coalition for taking public positions in opposition to the plan. It has been a really remarkable coming together of people and groups around a strong belief that communities should not be passive subjects to the agendas of governmental entities – we moved the issue to the point where local papers were talking about the SCA’s “highly controversial plan”, as opposed to talking about hysterical residents and gardeners. 

Again, we have come a very long way in a very short time and done so with integrity – I’m  very proud to have been a part of this truly grassroots and inclusive movement – and most definitely will be seeing you around the neighborhood.  

SJ and the coalition did a terrific job of mobilizing against this flawed proposal, but due to political indifference to some very real environmental, preservation and civil rights concerns, the project was rammed through. HDc spoke with CM Bill De Blasio several times before the vote and he was trying to rally both support from his colleagues and concessions from the the School Construction Authority. Through his and other’s efforts, the SCa issued this letter to CM Melinda Katz, Chair of Land Use:

To say that we are disappointed in the leadership of CM David Yassky, who represents this school would be both an understatement and untrue. While Mr. Yassky represents the largest number of designated landmark properties in Brooklyn, over the years he has proven to be tone-deaf to preservation issues. Although he has supported commuity-driven preservation efforts in Dumbo (both the designation of the historic district and opposing the Dock Street proposal), he has been absent from many preservation conversations in Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope and other parts of his district and either unhelpful or hostile to efforts in Williamsburg (such as 184 Kent Avenue, the Greenpoint-Williamsburg Rezoning & the Hecla Iron Works). He has been of no help on the Admiral’s Row Houses (which he represents, not CM Letitia James) and as memory serves, he was absent on the debate about the Purchase Building. It is a true missed opportunity for an elected official who represents such a historic and preservation-minded district to be unresponsive on the preservation issue. Hopefully, his replacement (Mr. Yassky is giving up his seat to run for Comptroller) will be more attuned – so far, indications are good that whoever wins will be – all the candidates for the 33rd District who were contacted were opposed to the SCA’s plan.

CoWNA Voices Concerns over Phoenix Beverages’ move to Piers 7 and 11

Venetia Lannon, VP of the Economic Development Corporation will present their plans for the Atlantic Basin on Wednesday, July 1st, at CoWNA’s General meeting held at 7 PM at Jalopy (315 Columbia Street). This is an issue that will impact all of us, please attend.

Time: 7 PM, July 1st
Place: Jalopy, 315 Columbia Street
between Woodhull and Rapelye Streets

As plans for Phoenix Beverages to take over piers 7 and 11 seemed to materialize, the Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association (CoWNA) wrote a letter to the Economic Development Corporation voicing our concerns, which primarily are:

• - a speedy conversion of Phoenix’ truck fleet to CNG

• – truck traffic on local streets

• – traffic volume on the BQE ramps

• – cold ironing to reduce pollution

To read the letter the CoWNA Executive Committee wrote to the EDC and the EDC’s reply, please click here.

The East Village Visitor’s Center Lecture Series presents:
Women Movers & Shakers: 150 Years of Influential Lower East Side Women

Saturday, July 18, 2009
12:00 P.M.
308 Bowery
New York, NY

From breaking new ground in arts, entertainment, fashion and medicine to great advancements in labor and women’s rights, the historic women of the Lower East Side have played an invaluable role in shaping politics and culture in America and around the globe for over 150 years.

At noon on July 18, the East Village History Project will offer a multimedia presentation and lecture on such “movers and shakers” as Susan B. Anthony, Emma Goldman, Lilian Wald, Margaret Sanger, Victoria Woodhull, Evangeline Corey Booth and Dorothy Day, to name just a few – as well as explore some of the lesser-known individuals whose innovation and bravery contributed to historic changes in such fields as social service and workers rights.

The lecture is presented by East Village History Project educator and Director of Outreach, Andrea Coyle. Andrea is a native New Yorker, licensed tour guide, member of the Guides Association of New York City and the Municipal Art Society, as well as a Big Apple Greeter for the City of New York.

The East Village Visitor’s Center monthly lecture series is organized by the East Village History Project, a network of local historians, educators, researchers and preservationists whose mission is to document little-known history of the greater Lower East Side. EVHP aims to educate the public and raise awareness of the East Village/Lower East Side’s historic significance and influence in world history – and to nurture community self-awareness and sensitivity to historical struggles of immigrant communities, unions, outsider political, countercultural and community-based fledgling art movements.

All lectures are held at the East Village Visitor’s Center at the Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery, New York, NY 10012. By subway: F/V to 2nd Ave or 6 to Bleecker/Lafayette. For more info: (212) 614-8702 or www.eastvillagevisitorscenter.com

July 1, Wed, 10 am: City Council Hearing on Coney Island Rezoning 

  Is a world-famous, iconic amusement destination enjoye by all New Yorkers. But the future of Coney Island is at risk.

Get Informed! Get Involved! Join the Fight!

www.saveconeyisland.net

 THE CITY’S PLAN SHRINKS CONEY ISLAND ’S AMUSEMENT DISTRICT

 The City’s plan reduces the area reserved for open-air amusements to a narrow 12-acre strip — down from 60 acres currently zoned for amusements. The New York Times calls it “an area that is simply too small to attract enough rides and attractions to bring back the big crowds.”

 The fix!

Expand the area devoted to open-air amusements so it reaches, at a minimum, from the Boardwalk to the Bowery.

 CONEY ISLAND Is at risk. The City hopes to protect Coney Island from the devastating impacts of land-speculation, but its plan would permanently diminish Coney Island’s historic amusement district and undermine its unique character. To save Coney Island, New Yorkers must ensure that the City fixes its flawed plan.

 The City’s Plan cannot fit enough large rides.

Our Proposal could fit a world-class amusement park

“We are concerned that the proposed area set aside for open-air amusements is of insufficient size and that as a result this revitalization effort will not be successful.”

— Municipal Art Society

“The hotels could too easily become a wall,blocking public access to the …ocean.”

— New York Times editorial

 The fix!

Move the proposed high-rises north of Surf Avenue, as Coney Island’s Community Board 13 has recommended, or west of Keyspan Park.

 The fix!

Remove the proposed high-rise towers from the south side of Surf Avenue, and landmark Coney Island’s historic buildings.

 The fix!

The City should zone the amusement district to ensure a greater mix of retail sizes and keep out generic commercial establishments that don’t belong in an amusement area.

“We need to prevent the displacement of existing local businesses and make small spaces available for new, creative entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in Coney Island.”

— Dianna Carlin, Lola Staar Souvenir Boutique and Dreamland Roller Rink

 THE CITY’S PLAN RUINS CONE Y ISLAND ’S ICONIC SKYLINE

The plan proposes four highrise hotels of up to 27 stories along the south side of Surf Avenue, blocking visitors from the amusements and the beach, and destroying Coney Island’s sense of openness and seasideatmosphere.

 THE CITY’S PLAN THREATEN S CONE Y ISLAND ’S SMALL BUSINESSES.

The proposed zoning would allow chain and generic retail establishments to invade the amusement area and displace the small-scale, locally owned businesses that give Coney Island its creative energy and unique atmosphere.

 THE CITY’S PLAN ENDANGERS CONEY ISLAND’S HISTORIC LANDMARKS

Allowing developers to build highrise towers along the south side of Surf Avenue would threaten to destroy Coney Island’s few remaining historic buildings, like Nathan’s Famous and several century-old structures.

“The building containing Nathan’s Famous is located on a potential development site there are no preventative measures to minimize potential demolition or enlargement.”

— Environmental Impact Statement,

NYC Office of Environmental Coordination

 The current re-zoning plan, while well intentioned, would do irreparable harm to Coney Island. But with a few critical changes to its plan, the City can save Coney Island’s amusement district. Time is running out. The City Council may vote on the plan as early as July.

Get Informed! Get Involved! Join the Fight!

www.saveconeyisland.net  info@saveconeyisland.net

“Coney Island’s future as a world-class tourist destination is being sacrificed. What could have been an economic engine for New York City and the Coney Island community is being smothered by politically motivated, uninspired development.”

— Charles Denson, author, Coney Island: Lost and Found

  “If you make it a destination, you should really think big…. That’s not what they’re doing at the moment…. I think there’s a huge danger that this plan won’t  work. I think you have to come up with a much larger perspective for the development of Coney Island….and it will be a destination or it could be a destination like the Chrysler Building, like Central Park, if you do it right.”

— Lars Liebst, CEO of Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens

 www.saveconeyisland.net

  WRITE A LETTER

Write a letter to your local politician to keep Coney Island alive and unique!

Copy and paste this sample letter into an email or, better yet, write your own!  Printing and mailing an actual, physical letter is the most effective way to get through to your favorite politician, but email is good, too. Make sure to include your name and full address. We’ve include blanks in the letter for this information. Also, MAKE SURE YOU COPY US (info@saveconeyisland.net) if you send an email, or let us know if you send a letter (this helps us put pressure on representatives in specific districts).

Mayor Bloomberg, City Council President Christine Quinn, and your City Council Member.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
Email: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html

Christine Quinn
224 West 30th St Suite 1206
New York, NY 10001
Email: cquinn@council.nyc.ny.us

Domenic M. Recchia, Jr
District 47 – Council Member
445 Neptune Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11224
Email: recchia@council.nyc.ny.us

Your City Council Member Click here to find your council member’s address. If you don’t know your Council district number, click on the map in the bottom of the right column on this District finder page.

 SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear Mayor Bloomberg, Speaker Quinn, Council-member Recchia, and [ENTER THE NAME OF YOUR REPRESENTATIVE]

I am writing to ask you to fix the City’s flawed re-zoning plan for Coney Island. Coney Island is a world-renowned amusement destination and a “People’s Playground” for New Yorkers of all backgrounds and incomes. The future of Coney Island is an issue of citywide importance. Today, however, that future is in jeopardy.

The City’s current rezoning plan for the neighborhood would damage Coney Island’s unique character and undermine its historic function as an amusement destination. It allows high-rise towers of up to 27 stories along the south side of Surf Avenue, walling off pedestrians from the amusement district; and it limits the area reserved for outdoor rides to only a narrow, nine-acre strip of land.

I urge you to fix the plan by making the following changes:

1) Expand the acreage for outdoor rides and amusements. This means, at a minimum, zoning the area from the Boardwalk to the Bowery exclusively for open-air amusements.

2) Remove high-rise towers from the south of Surf Avenue, the heart of the amusement district. Keep high-rises to the north of Surf Avenue or west of Keyspan Park.

3) Promote small businesses and local entrepreneurs and prevent their displacement. Adjust square-footage requirements to ensure that there is room in a re-zoned Coney Island for the locally owned small businesses that give the area its flair.

By fixing its plan, the City can revitalize Coney Island’s historic amusement district, preserving this local treasure as a playground for all New Yorkers, a world-class tourist destination and an economic engine for New York City.

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS + ZIP CODE]

Announcing the new book from Eric Ferrara, of the East Village History Project!

A Guide to Gangsters, Murderers & Weirdos of NYC’s Lower East Side
$19.99, The History Press
ISBN: 978.1.59629.677.0

• Purchase book online: historypress.net
• Soon available at the East Village Visitor’s Center (308 Bowery, NYC)

A Guide to Gangsters, Murderers & Weirdos of NYC’s Lower East Side ($19.99, ISBN: 978.1.59629.677.0), has been published by The History Press. Thank you to The History Press for taking a chance on such a sensational topic. As written in my introduction to the book, the intent is not to exploit such gruesome tails of murder and violence nor glorify the criminal or their acts. The idea is to give a better picture of the “melting pot” experience; a hardcore and naked look into what many people experienced on a daily basis — crime, poverty, violence, depression, coercion, stress, illness.

This book is a street by street reference guide which examines the early lives of such infamous criminals as Charles “Lucky” Luciano, Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, and Meyer Lansky — all of whom grew up (and earned their criminal stripes) on the Lower East Side. It also traces 200 years of gang fights, political brawls, domestic violence, natural disasters, assassinations, extortion, Black Hand bombings, organized crime, the Mafia, the Jewish mob, labor struggles, domestic terrorists, biker gangs, fires, police raids, riots, suicides, snake bites, swindlers, zoo animals, and even a cannibal.

There was a murder or sensational story related to almost every single lot I researched for this book — that is Worth Street to East Houston Street . What made it to the book was just a small sampling of the most violent, bizarre and curious stories.

To which, a special thanks to my colleague, Rob Hollander, for writing some great introductions. Unfortunately, most of what he wrote had to be edited down to a few pages, so a great summary can be found here.

Similarly, the content that was left out of the book will be available online here — and soon in a print addendum to “A Guide to Gangsters, Murderers & Weirdos of NYC’s Lower East Side.”

The Landmarks Preservation Commission has set a hearing on the proposal to landmark two important Upper West Side structures: the West-Park Presbyterian Church and the IRT Powerhouse. On Tuesday, July 14, the public will have the opportunity to testify on behalf of these buildings and urge LPC to designated them as individual landmarks.

 Come join the fun and testify!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Public Hearing at the Landmarks Preservation Commission
One Centre Street, 9th Floor North

 The Friends of West-Park are hosting a community meeting this Monday, June 29, to rally the community in support of this iconic building, with its striking red sandstone exterior.

Community support is essential to win this decades-long fight, and their presentation will outline the progress that has been made and the work still to be done. With a luxury high-rise development being proposed for the West-Park site, your voice and your support are critical to saving this historic building. If you’re determined to see this important church designated, join the Friends of West-Park this Monday from 7:00-8:30pm at The Jewish Center at 131 West 86th Street.

The Hudson River Powerhouse Group is leading the fight to preserve the IRT Powerhouse and finally see its designation through to the end. Con Edison, who owns the property, opposes designation strenuously. The company has already begun contacting supporters asking them to change their positions. Nevertheless, we can prevail on July 14 if we can show the LPC that (a) landmark designation will not substantially hinder Con Ed from continuing to use the building, (b) the Powerhouse is architecturally and historically significant, and (c) New Yorkers want this building preserved. HRPG is currently working to show the LPC that New Yorkers support landmark status for the Powerhouse. Please sign this petition and show your support for the preservation of this important structure!

 It’s only through longtime concentrated community support that these buildings have progressed so far in the Landmark process. Do you have a worthy building or area that needs landmark protection? Please let us know by sending us an email with information about your proposal, and HDC will help you forward your proposal.

As someone with an interest in New York City history, development and preservation (and we hope as a reader of this site that you are), you might be aware of the current situation in Coney Island. To make a complicated issue simple, there’s currently a major debate about the future of Coney Island – Thor Equities (a development company) has purchased huge tracts of land in the area, and the City Planning Commission is proposing a radical rezoning to encourage economic redevelopment. Like it or not, change is coming to Coney – the question is what kind of change.

Save Coney Island, a grassroots neighborhood organization dedicated to revitalizing the amusement district and the surrounding neighborhood, has put together some terrific materials about the plan and what you can do to help fix it.  At the very least, please sign this petition to show your support for this fantastically New York place.

 On June 23rd LPC held another designation day.  In all, two individual landmarks and three historic districts were calendared, one district and 17 individuals were heard, three individual landmarks and a district were designated … and two buildings were decalendared.  “Decalendared” isn’t exactly a real word, but we have been using it to describe when a designation has been denied and the property is removed from the Commission’s calendar.

 94, 94 1/2, and 96 Greenwich Street were first heard by the Commission in 1965, and a few times since then.  The trio were included in the New York Landmarks Conservancy and Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation’s 2004 report of the top thirteen Federal-era row houses to designate, and in 2005 HDC chose them as part of a list of 21 priorities culled from a list of more than 200 heard-but-not-designated buildings. When the buildings were last heard in January 2007, the LPC write up had this to say: “These are among the relatively rare extant Manhattan houses of the Federal period and style, are some of the oldest houses in Manhattan, and are three of only seven pre-1810 houses located south of Chambers Street, the oldest section of New York City, of which they are the only surviving row.”  The gambrels roofs of 94 and 94 ½ were raised to create third floors in the 19^th-century and similar work was done on 96 sometime in the 1970’s, the description noted that, “despite these, and commercial ground-story, alterations, the houses are recognizably intact as Federal style town houses.”

 At Tuesday’s meeting a thorough presentation recommending landmarking was given on #94 by research staff.  It was followed by a much shorter presentation on the other two buildings (whose history is the same as 94’s, but was not mentioned), after which staff recommended that they no longer be considered for designation. The 1970’s raising of the roof and addition of studio-like windows at 96 and parging of 94½ were given as reasons why they were no longer landmark quality. Although it was jarringly noticeable in the image of the houses, the recent multi-story, rooftop addition on 96 was not mentioned by LPC staff or commissioners.

 All the Commissioners voted to decalendar 96 Greenwich Street.  Commissioner Roberta Gratz lamented the unfortunate dilemma caused by an oversight of years ago. Commissioner Stephen Byrnes noted that, while the two could be included in a hypothetical historic district, they did not rise to the level of an individual landmark. Vice Chair Pablo Vangochea though was opposed to doing the same at 94½, feeling that it still related well to 94 and that they were important as an ensemble. 

 HDC agrees that while they have been altered (as many buildings that are over two centuries old have been, if they are still standing at all), together the three are an important ensemble that better tell their story together, rather than as just a single house. While the Commission has recently landmarked and heard a number of Federal-era rowhouses, these are the only grouping of more than two; one house is singular, two houses are a pair, three are a row.

 The decision sets a frightening precedent for other buildings proposed for designation, particularly when owners opposed to landmarking use alterations as an excuse.  Commissioner Fred Bland described himself a “reluctant supporter of 94” noting even its changes over the years and pointing to the Ahles House, heard earlier that day, as another example of the difficulty of landmarking altered buildings. The Ahles House, Bayside’s oldest-known remaining house, is an Italianate structure built by a member of the prominent Bell family for his daughter and son-in-law. There was strong community support, including CM Tony Avella who first proposed the house for landmarking in 2002, but the owner’s lawyer listed various alterations that, in their view, made the house not eligible for designation.

 It is a rare building that is not altered at some point in its existence, and the LPC regularly allows further alterations through its Certificates of Appropriateness. 94½ and 96 retained much of their essential character and strengthened the significance of 94 Greenwich Street.  The fate of an individual landmark can be a lonely one.

(Article with many thanks to SJ Avery)

On Tuesday, the City Council Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Siting & Maritime Uses held a public hearing on the School Construction Authority’s proposed plan to demolish PS 133 and replaced is with a larger building that will take up the top of the block between Butler and Baltic Streets in Park Slope, Brooklyn. In their brief presentation the SCA stressed the deterioration of the existing building (admitting that it had received little funding for upkeep) and estimated that it would cost $15 million dollars to “simply address the deterioration of critical building components”. SCA called the building, Brooklyn’s oldest remaining Snyder School, “quaint” and “lovely,” but deteriorated.

The SCA representatives’ accounts of the “public approval process” completely contradicted the experiences of the local community members. In their presentation they omitted their requirement that the community formally request public documents regarding the site’s environmental conditions through a Freedom of Information Law request, an unnecessary and time-consuming loophole. They obscured the proposed “separate, but equal” educational programs (and entrances!) for Districts 13 and 15, though previous presentations made by the SCA made specific reference to these aspects of the plan. They touted their consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) on options for preserving the school, neglecting to mention their refusal to provide the detailed cost/benefit analyses the SHPO has been requesting since December. And the SCA claimed to have consulted for months with local stakeholders about the school design, though in reality no direct communication has been initiated and only two public hearings have been held, with all public comments limited to three minutes.

Councilmembers present questioned the seemingly unequal programming structure for District 15 versus 13, the SCA’s plans for remediation of hazardous conditions, the environmental protections for area residents during demolition and construction, and the differences in cost between full demolition versus renovation with an addition (the SCA says the difference is about $10 million, but had no figures to support that claim). 

Thirty people testified at the hearing, and all but one opposed the plan. Speakers represented a remarkable coalition of community and civic groups, preservationists, area residents, gardeners, a parent from PS 133, lawyers, and environmental scientists and activists – all united in opposition to the SCA plan. The 660 people who have signed the online petition to save the school are also part of that coalition.

Opponents of the plan ask that the SCA withdraw their current proposal and work with a broad and representative group in the community to develop a plan that would: 1) preserve and renovate the existing historic PS 133 building while also developing another school building on the site that accommodates the need for increased school seats; 2) ensure the health and safety of students, teachers and the larger community by fully disclosing the environmental data and risks associated with the contamination on the school site and designing a remediation plan that complies with New York State environmental law and involves NYS oversight; and 3) balance the need for open space and a permanent community garden.

The Councilmembers indicated that they saw no problem with a delay, but also told opponents that Council courtesy dictates that they would not go against the wishes of the Councilmember in whose district the school would be built – in this case CM David Yassky. Unfortunately, while acknowledging a flawed process of community consultation, Yassky continues to indicate that he wants the SCA plan to move forward as is.

The vote has been delayed until this upcoming Tuesday, June 30. Please contact CM Yassky today and urge him to do the right thing – withdraw his support of the SCA plan. Remind him of the significant community opposition to the SCA plan!

CM Yassky Email: yassky@council.nyc.ny.us

District office phone: 718-875-5200

District office fax: 718-643-6620

CMs DeBlasio and James oppose the plan (students in both of their districts would be affected by the proposal), but have not lobbied their colleagues to vote against the plan. Please contact their offices and urge that they send “Dear Colleague” letters to their fellow council members, outlining their opposition to the SCA plan.

CM Bill DeBlasio Email: deblasio@council.nyc.ny.us
District office phone: 718-854-9791

District office fax: 718-854-1146

CM Letitia James Email: ljames@council.nyc.gov

District office Phone: 718-260-9191

District office fax: 718-260-9099

CM Gonzalez, whose constituents will also be served by the school, has not yet spoken out on the plan. Urge her to oppose the current SCA plan, as so many of her constituents have.

CM Sara Gonzalez Email: gonzalez@council.nyc.ny.us

District office phone: 718-439-9012

District office fax: 718-439-9042

There is a very small window left to prevent a plan that is so wrong, on so many levels, from becoming a reality. If you oppose the SCA plan, please ACT NOW!

(Roosevelt Island, NY, June 23, 2009) – More than 12 million of our grandparents and relatives gained entry to freedom and the opportunity to seek their fortune when they reached Ellis Island.

Learn the fascinating history of the gateway to America, in a presentation by Judith McAlpin, President of Save Ellis Island, Inc. The restored Ferry Terminal Building is only part of the island’s architecture. There were extensive hospital facilities, with two general hospitals housing doctors’ offices, operating rooms, fluoroscopy (predecessor to x-rays) rooms, contagious disease wards and other operational areas, and other buildings.

The presentation, sponsored by the Roosevelt Island Historical Society, will be held on Tuesday, July 7 at 6:30 pm at the Roosevelt Island Branch of the New York Public Library, 524 Main Street. The event is FREE.

The presentation is the last in a series of four events, Preserving New York City’s Smallest Islands, which focuses on Hart, Roosevelt, Randall’s and Ellis Islands.

DIRECTIONS: Take the Tram at 59th Street and Second Avenue or the F train to Roosevelt Island. Walk 10 minutes north on Main Street or take the red bus (25 cents).

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society promotes awareness of our Island’s unique story and pursues preservation of its landmarks and artifacts. For more information, please visit www.rihs.us.