|
Roosevelt Island, formerly known as Welfare Island, is a narrow island in the East River of New York City. It lies between the island of Manhattan to its west and the borough of Queens on Long Island to its east. Running from Manhattan's East 46th to East 85th streets, it is about two miles (3 km) long, with a maximum width of 800 feet (240 m), and a total area of 147 acres (0.6 km²). The island is part of the Borough of Manhattan and New York County. Together with Mill Rock Island, Roosevelt Island comprises New York County's Census Tract 238, which had a population of 9,520 and a land area of 0.722 km² (0.279 sq mi). The land is owned by the city, but was leased to the State of New York's Urban Development Corporation for 99 years in 1969. Several of the residences on Roosevelt Island are cooperatives; at least one is considering privatization. History Before colonization, the island was called Minnahononck (sometimes spelled Minnahanock) by the aboriginal Indians. In 1637, the Dutch purchased the island from the natives and named it Varckens (Hogs') Island. It was named Manning's Island after captain John Manning between 1666 and 1686, Blackwell's Island between 1686 and 1921, and Welfare Island between 1921 and 1973. Throughout the 19th Century, various hospitals, asylums, and correctional institutions were located on the island. Welfare Penitentiary (where entertainer Mae West once served time) was closed in 1935 after the completion of a new penitentiary on Rikers Island. In 1973, the island was renamed again in anticipation of the building of a major United States Presidential Memorial to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The monument was intended - in part - to make the island more attractive to potential residents and visitors. It was planned as a large three-walled granite room open to the sky and facing the water at the island's southern tip, with the Four Freedoms inscribed on one wall. Owing primarily to the untimely death of the architect, Louis Kahn, the memorial was never built. Some still hope to complete the project despite the construction of a Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in the nation's capital. An alternative proposal involving calling for a large public plaza at the site also has been halted. During the 1980s and 1990s, the island was developed as a residential community with a number of high-rise apartment buildings. Two long-term medical care facilities of Goldwater Hospital are located at opposite ends of the island. Many foreign diplomats live on Roosevelt Island because of its close proximity to United Nations headquarters on the East Side of Manhattan. Roosevelt Island is sometimes referred to as "The Little Apple" - a jocular allusion to New York City's "Big Apple" moniker. Transportation
Demographics As of the 2000 census*, Roosevelt Island had a population of 9,520. 4,995, or 52% of the population, were female, and 4,525, or 48%, were male. The population was spread out with 5% under the age of 5, 20% under the age of 18, 67% between the ages of 18 and 65, and 15% over the age of 65. The racial makeup of the island was 45% white (non-Hispanic), 27% black, 11% Asian or Pacific Islander, and 0.3% other races. 14% were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The median income was $49,976. 37% had an income under $35,000. 40% had incomes between $35,001 and $99,999, and 23% had an income over $100,000. 55% of the total households were family households, and 45% were non-family households. 17% of the residents were married couples with children, and 19% were married couples without children. 36% of the households were one-person households, and 9% were two or more non-family households. 3% were male-based households with related and unrelated children, and 16% were female-based households with related and unrelated children. Since 2000, demographics have likely shifted. In April 2006, The Octagon, a 500-unit luxury rental building, opened its doors. Many young, affluent tenants occupy the studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Also in 2006, Riverwalk, a multi-building luxury condominium, completed construction of its first buildings. Education Roosevelt Island, as with all parts of New York City, is served by the New York City Department of Education. Residents are zoned to P.S. 217/I.S. 217 Roosevelt Island School. Nearby high schools include: In Manhattan: In Queens: The Roosevelt Island Day Nursery, a private preschool licensed by the NYC Department of Health and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, is also located on Roosevelt Island and serves children aged 2 to 5 with part time and full time programs. Prisoners on Blackwells and Welfare Island Visitors who exposed conditions on Blackwells Island Former residents of Roosevelt Island Modern residents of Roosevelt Island Roosevelt Island in fiction, film, & popular entertainment Tram Malfunction On April 18, 2006, 5:15 P.M. 67 people (and 2 operators) were trapped on both cable cars that links Manhattan and Roosevelt Island. Though none were hurt, they were stranded for over 6 hours, the last passenger reaching the ground at 4AM. ("The last 10 passengers made it down 11 hours after the trams stopped dead"). Reportedly, the stranded passengers passed the time by singing songs, telling scary stories, and entertaining each other while waiting to be rescued. The cause is currently under investigation. As of September 1, 2006, after some $500,000 in renovations and repairs to the tramway, the Roosevelt Island cable cars resumed operation. Renovations included repairs to the primary and back-up drive systems. The tram cars were also provided with 5-gallon plastic buckets with toilet seats, to function as sanitary facilities in the event of another emergency. See also | |||||||||
|
| ||||||||||
 |
|
| |