Roosevelt Island is a 2-mile-long island situated on the East River in New York City. Part of the borough of Manhattan, it sits between Manhattan Island and Queens. The island, spanning 147 acres, housed 11,722 residents as per the 2020 Census. Primarily residential, it comprises Northtown and Southtown. While owned by New York City, the island is leased to the New York State Urban Development Corporation under a 99-year agreement signed in 1969.
1901: Navy Drill Ground Proposal
The United States Department of the Navy proposed a drill ground and training facility on the northern end of Roosevelt Island in 1901.
1902: Opening of Tuberculosis Ward
A tuberculosis ward at Metropolitan Hospital on Roosevelt Island opened in 1902.
1907: Park Proposal and "Vacations" for Elderly
A proposal to convert Roosevelt Island into a park resurfaced in 1907. Around the same time, the island began hosting "vacations" for thousands of elderly residents annually.
1909: Chapel of Our Lady Constructed
The Chapel of Our Lady, Consoler of the Afflicted, a Gothic-style stone building serving the island's Catholic community, was built in 1909.
1909: Opening of Queensboro Bridge
The Queensboro Bridge, which crosses Roosevelt Island, opened in 1909. However, it did not provide direct access to the island until the late 1910s.
1909: Queensboro Bridge Trolley Begins Operation
Upon the opening of the Queensboro Bridge in 1909, a trolley service began transporting passengers from Queens and Manhattan to a stop on the bridge, where an elevator provided access down to Roosevelt Island.
1914: Criticism of Penitentiary Conditions
A report in 1914 criticized the unsanitary and overcrowded conditions of Roosevelt Island's penitentiary, and a grand jury investigation the same year found severe mismanagement at the jail.
1915: Plans for Prison Hospital
Katharine Davis, the city corrections commissioner, announced plans to build a prison hospital on Roosevelt Island in 1915, at a time when vacant land on the island was scarce.
1917: Church of the Good Samaritan Developed
The Church of the Good Samaritan was developed in 1917 to serve the Lutheran community on Roosevelt Island.
1918: Elevator Building Completed
An elevator building, situated on the north side of the Queensboro Bridge, was completed in 1918 to facilitate access to Roosevelt Island.
1918: Building Refurbishments
Bird S. Coler, upon becoming the city's public welfare commissioner in 1918, ordered the refurbishment of buildings on Roosevelt Island.
1919: Elevator Building Completed
An elevator building on the north side of the Queensboro Bridge, providing access to Roosevelt Island, was completed in 1919.
1921: Renaming to Welfare Island
In 1921, the island's name was changed from Blackwell's Island to Welfare Island in an attempt to improve its reputation.
1921: Detention of Women Awaiting Trial
Starting in 1921, Blackwell's Penitentiary on Roosevelt Island began housing women awaiting trial.
1924: Recommendation for Park Conversion
The state's prison commission recommended converting Roosevelt Island into a park in 1924.
1925: Chapel Dedication
A chapel was dedicated on the island in 1925.
1925: Chapels at Metropolitan Hospital Consecrated
Two chapels at Metropolitan Hospital, the Episcopal Chapel of the Holy Spirit and the Catholic Chapel of the Sacred Heart, were consecrated in 1925.
1926: Council Synagogue Opens
The Council Synagogue, known for its pleasing exterior and dignified interior, opened on Welfare Island in 1926.
1926: Synagogue Construction
A synagogue was constructed on the island in 1926.
1933: Island Rezoning
The Board of Estimate rezoned the island in 1933 to allow redevelopment, with plans for a children's hospital and nurses' dormitory.
1934: Prison Reform
Municipal prison commissioner Austin MacCormick reformed the island's prison in 1934 following a series of uprisings.
1935: Ferry Service Starts
A ferry service was established in 1935 to connect Welfare Island to Manhattan, providing a crucial transportation link for the island.
February 1936: Welfare Island Jail Demolition and Relocation
After Rikers Island jail complex opened, the Welfare Island jail was demolished, and all inmates were relocated by February 1936.
July 1939: Welfare Island Hospital for Chronic Diseases Opens
When the Welfare Island Hospital for Chronic Diseases, later Goldwater Memorial Hospital, opened in July 1939, the Central and Neurological Hospital closed. An eight-building camp also opened in 1939.
1945: Girls' Shelter Opens
A girls' shelter opened on the island in late 1945.
1948: Construction Begins on Laundry Building and Bird S. Coler Hospital
Construction of a laundry building began in 1948 and was completed the next year. Work on a 2,000-bed facility, later known as the Bird S. Coler Hospital, also began in 1948.
1952: Coler Hospital Opens, Patients Relocated from City Home
After Coler Hospital opened in 1952, patients were relocated there from the City Home for Dependents.
1953: City Home Emptied
The City Home for Dependents was emptied out by 1953.
May 1955: Welfare Island Bridge Opens
The Welfare Island Bridge opened in May 1955, and a bus began serving the island.
1955: Roosevelt Island Bridge Opens
The Roosevelt Island Bridge, a vertical-lift bridge connecting the island to Astoria, Queens, opened in 1955, providing the only vehicular access route as well as a sidewalk.
June 1956: Ferry Service Ends
A ferry service connecting Welfare Island (now Roosevelt Island) to Manhattan was discontinued in June 1956 after operating for over two decades.
April 7, 1957: Bridge Trolley and Elevator Closed
The trolley connecting passengers from Queens and Manhattan to Roosevelt Island via the Queensboro Bridge, operational since the bridge's opening in 1909, ceased service on April 7, 1957. An elevator providing access from the bridge was also closed to the public on this date.
1957: Metropolitan Hospital and City Hospital Replaced
The Metropolitan Hospital moved to mainland Manhattan in 1957, while the City Hospital was replaced in 1957 by Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens.
1957: Demolition Funds Sought
The city government had been trying since 1957, without success, to obtain $1 million to demolish the abandoned buildings.
1958: New Medical Facility Opens
Another medical facility for chronically ill and elderly patients opened on Welfare Island in 1958.
1958: Chapel of the Good Shepherd Closes
The Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Roosevelt Island's first church and a Late Victorian Gothic style structure, ceased operation as an Episcopal church in 1958.
1960: Welfare Island Partially Abandoned
By 1960, half of Welfare Island was abandoned, and the Goldwater and Bird S. Coler hospitals were the only remaining institutions there.
1961: Redevelopment Proposal by Frederick W. Richmond
The businessman and politician Frederick W. Richmond announced a proposal in 1961 to redevelop the island with residences for 70,000 people. The plan would have cost $450 million and would have included a two-level platform supporting buildings as tall as 50 stories.
1962: FDNY Training School Opens
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) opened a training school in 1962, using 90 abandoned buildings for training purposes.
February 1965: Subway Station Announced
A New York City Subway station on Welfare Island was announced in February 1965 as part of the new 63rd Street lines under the East River; the subway announcement spurred additional plans for the island's redevelopment.
1965: Demolition of Dilapidated Buildings
The city government ordered the demolition of six dilapidated buildings on the island in 1965.
1965: 63rd Street Subway Line Proposed
The New York City Subway's 63rd Street Line, with a station planned for Roosevelt Island, was proposed in 1965.
June 1966: City Takes Over Abandoned Buildings
The city took over another 45 abandoned hospital buildings via condemnation in June 1966, and the New York City Board of Estimate applied for $250,000 in federal funds for a feasibility study on the island's redevelopment later that year.
December 1967: State Proposes Public Park
The New York state government proposed in December 1967 to convert most of the island into a public park, except for senior citizens' housing at the north end.
1967: Welfare Island in Decline
One reporter in 1967 called Welfare Island a "ghost town, vacant lot, woodland and mausoleum for unhappy memories".
1967: Delacorte Fountain Donated
Publisher George T. Delacorte Jr. donated a fountain to be placed at the southern tip of Roosevelt Island in mid-1967.
February 1968: Committee Formed for Island Development
In February 1968, mayor John V. Lindsay named a committee to make recommendations for the island's development, at which point one newspaper called it "the most expensive wasteland in the world".
October 1969: Redevelopment Proposal and Lease Agreement
The city and state governments formally presented their proposal for Welfare Island in October 1969. After the Board of Estimate approved the plan later that month, the UDC signed a 99-year lease with the city that December.
1969: Lease to the New York State Urban Development Corporation
The city of New York leased Roosevelt Island to the New York State Urban Development Corporation (UDC) for 99 years in 1969.
1969: Master Plan by Philip Johnson and John Burgee
In 1969, architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee designed a master plan for Roosevelt Island's street layout.
1969: Delacorte Fountain Dedicated
The Delacorte Fountain, which sprayed water from the East River high into the air, was dedicated in 1969.
1969: Dedicated Fire and Police Stations Proposed
The 1969 plan for Roosevelt Island included provisions for dedicated fire and police stations, however, as of 2024 these have yet to be established.
1969: Roosevelt Island Master Plan Unveiled
The 1969 master plan, which divided the island into Northtown and Southtown residential communities, was revealed and received a mixed bag of reviews.
1970: Models Exhibited, Design Modifications, and Redevelopment Begins
Models of Johnson and Burgee's proposal were exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in late 1970. The UDC modified some of Johnson and Burgee's designs after they were publicized; for example, it added more buildings on the waterfront. The redevelopment attracted residents who wanted a better quality of life.
1970: Elevator Building Demolished
The elevator building on the Queensboro Bridge's north side, which had been closed to the public in 1957, was finally demolished in 1970.
April 1972: WIDC Approves Apartments
In April 1972, the WIDC approved a proposal for the construction of 1,100 middle-income and luxury apartments on Roosevelt Island. This decision came after an unsuccessful search for a private developer, leading the UDC to consider developing the residences as housing cooperatives.
December 1972: Welfare Island Designated as "New Town"
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development designated Welfare Island as a "new town" in December 1972. This designation made the island, later renamed Roosevelt Island, eligible for additional funding and marked a turning point in its development.
July 1973: City Council Approves Name Change
In July 1973, the City Council approved the renaming of Welfare Island to Roosevelt Island. This marked a significant step in the island's redevelopment and reflected the vision of creating a new community with a distinct identity.
August 1973: Passenger Elevator from Queens
A passenger elevator running from the Queens end of the Queensboro Bridge to Roosevelt Island was still in operation as late as August 1973.
August 20, 1973: Welfare Island Renamed Roosevelt Island
On August 20, 1973, Welfare Island was officially renamed Roosevelt Island in honor of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This name change was intended to attract residents and coincided with plans to build the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, although the park's construction faced significant delays in the following decades.
1973: Renaming to Roosevelt Island
Following the UDC's lease of the island, it was renamed again in 1973 to Roosevelt Island in honor of former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
1974: Four Freedoms Park Designed
Louis Kahn designed the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park in 1974, featuring two rows of trees converging toward a granite "room" at the island's southern tip.
1974: Completion of Northtown Phase One
The first phase of Northtown, Roosevelt Island's first community, was completed in 1974.
April 1975: Residents Move into First Roosevelt Island Building
The first residents moved into the first residential building on Roosevelt Island in April 1975. At this stage, the island lacked basic amenities like stores, requiring residents to travel through Queens for necessities. Despite these challenges and limited public transportation, 170 families called Roosevelt Island home by the end of 1975.
1975: Automated Vacuum Collection System Installation
In 1975, Roosevelt Island implemented an automated vacuum collection (AVAC) system, becoming the second location in the U.S. to adopt this technology.
1975: First School Opens
The first school on Roosevelt Island opened in 1975, starting with just one student and two teachers.
1975: Chapel of the Good Shepherd Reopens
After closing as a church, the Chapel of the Good Shepherd reopened in 1975 to serve as a community center.
May 1976: Roosevelt Island Tramway Opens
Intended as a temporary solution due to subway construction delays, the Roosevelt Island Tramway was completed and opened in May 1976, connecting the island to Midtown Manhattan.
May 1976: Roosevelt Island Tramway Opens
The Roosevelt Island Tramway, connecting the island to Manhattan, opened in May 1976. This marked a significant improvement in the island's accessibility and coincided with a U.S. government grant to fund the development of parks, enhancing the island's appeal to potential residents.
October 1976: Roosevelt Island Post Office Opening
In October 1976, the Roosevelt Island Post Office, designed by Kallman and McKinnell, officially opened at 694 Main Street.
1976: First Island Library Founded
Residents Dorothy and Herman Reade founded Roosevelt Island's first library in a rented space in 1976, using a custom classification system instead of the Dewey Decimal System.
1977: Roosevelt Island Buildings Receive Design Award
The City Club of New York bestowed a special honor award upon the buildings of Roosevelt Island for the quality of their designs in 1977.
1977: Library Moves
The island's first library, founded by the Reades, moved to 625 Main Street in 1977.
June 1979: Starrett Corporation Signs Lease for Northtown II
In June 1979, the UDC signed an agreement with the Starrett Corporation for the construction of three additional residential buildings on Roosevelt Island. This project, known as Northtown II, was planned to add 1,000 apartments to the island and represented a significant step in its ongoing development.
1979: Library Moves to Own Building
In 1979, the island's library moved to its own building at 524 Main Street.
1980: Report Reveals Cost Overruns and Financial Losses
In 1980, New York state comptroller Edward V. Regan released a report highlighting significant cost overruns and financial losses in the Roosevelt Island redevelopment project. This report raised concerns about the project's financial sustainability and management.
1981: The Main Street Wire Newspaper Founded
The Main Street Wire, a biweekly newspaper serving Roosevelt Island, was established in 1981. Initially, it featured a column dedicated to pieces chronicling the history of Roosevelt Island.
July 1984: UDC Re-approves Northtown II Plan
In July 1984, the UDC granted re-approval for the Northtown II development plan, a project that had experienced delays and revisions. This approval marked a renewed commitment to expanding the island's housing stock and furthering its development goals.
1984: Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) Established
The New York state legislature established the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) in 1984 to oversee the island's operations. This decision aimed to address the managerial and financial challenges faced by the redevelopment project and provide more focused governance for the island.
1985: Trees Planted at Southern Tip
A local group planted trees at the southern tip of Roosevelt Island in 1985; however, the trees died quickly due to blasts from the Delacorte fountain.
1986: Brief Ferry Revival
A ferry route briefly operated in 1986, providing a direct connection between Roosevelt Island and Lower Manhattan.
1986: RIOC Approves Northtown II Plan
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) granted its approval for the revised Northtown II plan in 1986. The revised plan outlined the construction of five buildings, encompassing a total of 1,100 apartments, addressing the growing demand for housing on the island.
1987: Construction on Northtown II Begins
Construction of Northtown II commenced at the end of 1987, fueled by a substantial $176 million mortgage loan from the city. This marked a significant milestone in the project's realization after years of planning and revisions.
1987: Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation Founded
The Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation was founded around 1987, following the residential redevelopment of the island.
1988: Study of Van Twiller's Deed
A 1988 study investigated the deed of Dutch Governor Wouter van Twiller and its connection to Roosevelt Island.
October 1989: 63rd Street Subway Line Opens
Subway service on the 63rd Street Line, including a station on Roosevelt Island, began in October 1989.
October 1989: Southtown Development Announced
Officials announced the Southtown development project in October 1989, signaling a new phase of residential expansion on Roosevelt Island. Designed by Raquel Ramati Associates, Southtown was planned to encompass 1,956 apartments, split between market-rate and affordable units, addressing diverse housing needs.
1989: Expansion of Road Network
Until 1989, Main Street was the only road on Roosevelt Island.
1989: Roosevelt Island: A "Small, Self-Contained, Family-Oriented Community"
In 1989, a newspaper described Roosevelt Island as a "small, self-contained, family-oriented community," complete with its own Little League Baseball team, newspaper, and library. A Washington Post article from the same year echoed this sentiment, characterizing the island as having a small-town atmosphere with a strong connection to Manhattan.
1989: Completion of Northtown Phase Two
The second phase of Northtown, known as Northtown II, was completed in 1989.
1989: Northtown II Towers Open
The highly anticipated Northtown II towers, known as Manhattan Park, officially opened in 1989. Despite initially slower-than-expected sales, the development achieved a 70 percent occupancy rate by early 1990, indicating a growing interest in island living.
1989: Northtown II Completion
In 1989, the Starrett Corporation completed Northtown II (also known as Manhattan Park), a complex of five buildings with around 1,100 rental apartments on the west side of Main Street.
August 1990: Board of Estimate Approves Southtown Plans
The New York City Board of Estimate granted its approval for the Southtown development plans in August 1990. Despite this significant step forward, the project faced setbacks and was placed on hold by 1991 due to RIOC's inability to secure a developer.
1992: PS/IS 217 Roosevelt Island School Established
All of Roosevelt Island's schools were combined into a single school, PS/IS 217 Roosevelt Island School, in 1992.
1994: City Hospital Demolition
Due to years of neglect, the City Hospital, a mid-19th-century building on the southern part of Roosevelt Island, was demolished in 1994.
1995: Annual Roosevelt Island Day Celebrations Begin
Since 1995, Roosevelt Island has held annual celebrations to commemorate Roosevelt Island Day.
1998: NYC Water Tunnel No. 3 Section Opens
A section of New York City Water Tunnel No. 3, responsible for providing fresh water to a large portion of New York City, opened beneath Roosevelt Island in 1998.
1998: Library Joins NYPL System
The Roosevelt Island library became a branch of the New York Public Library system in 1998, providing access to a much larger collection.
May 1999: Contractor Hired for Southtown Construction
In May 1999, a contractor was finally hired to begin construction on the first phase of the long-delayed Southtown development. This step forward signaled a renewed commitment to expanding housing options on Roosevelt Island and revitalizing the project.
1999: Roosevelt Island Attracts UN Employees
An article in the New York Times in 1999 highlighted Roosevelt Island's diverse demographics as a draw for diplomatic personnel. The island's proximity to the United Nations headquarters made it a popular residential choice among UN employees.
1999: Roosevelt Island: A "Postwar Suburb of Some European City"
The New York Times published an article in 1999, describing Roosevelt Island as possessing the ambiance of "a postwar suburb of some European city," distinguishing it from the rest of New York City.
2000: High Percentage of Foreign-Born Residents
By 2000, one-third of Roosevelt Island's residents were foreign-born.
2000: United States Census
In 2000, the United States Census recorded Roosevelt Island's population as 9,520. During this time, there were plans to transition some of the island's original Mitchell-Lama affordable housing program buildings into market-rate housing.
2001: Southtown Development Begins
The development of Southtown, also known as Riverwalk, began in 2001. This project aimed to construct nine buildings with a total of 2,000 units.
2001: Bridge Rarely Lifted
News media reported in 2001 that the Roosevelt Island Bridge was almost never lifted, though this changed in the 2000s with more frequent liftings.
2001: Direct Subway Access to Queens Expanded
The 63rd Street Subway Line gained direct access to a larger portion of Queens in 2001, improving connectivity from Roosevelt Island.
2001: Southtown Development Begins
At the start of 2001, the development of Southtown commenced with the announcement of its first buildings, including two designated for medical workers.
2002: Spider-Man Filming
The film Spider-Man (2002) used Roosevelt Island as a filming location.
2002: Southtown Expands and Octagon Redevelopment Proposed
The year 2002 saw the completion of the first two Southtown buildings. Additionally, a proposal was put forth to redevelop the Octagon tower into an apartment building.
2003: Engine Company 261 Closure
Engine Company 261 in Long Island City, which previously served Roosevelt Island, was closed in 2003, sparking controversy.
2003: Southpoint Park Opens Year-Round
Southpoint Park became accessible year-round in 2003. This followed Governor George Pataki's signing of legislation designating several parks on the island.
2005: Dark Water Filming
The film Dark Water (2005) used Roosevelt Island as a filming location.
2006: Chabad Lubavitch Center Moves In
The Chabad Lubavitch Center of Roosevelt Island moved into the space of the Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation in 2006.
2007: Island Population Reaches 12,000
By 2007, the island's population grew to around 12,000 with the completion of the first two condominium buildings in Southtown and the Octagon's redevelopment.
2008: Roosevelt Island: "Fantastic and Peaceful" with Resident Disputes
In 2008, the New York Daily News depicted Roosevelt Island as a "fantastic and peaceful place to live" while acknowledging the prevalence of numerous disputes among its residents.
2008: Southtown Continues to Grow
Southtown saw further expansion in 2008 with the completion of its fifth and sixth buildings.
2008: Straw Polls for RIOC Board
Starting in 2008, straw polls were implemented for positions on the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) board.
2009: Four Freedoms Park and Southpoint Park Redevelopment Begin
In 2009, construction began on Four Freedoms Park, accompanied by a redesign of Southpoint Park.
2010: RIOC Survey Reveals Low Island Shopping Rates
A 2010 survey conducted by RIOC (Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation) found that a mere 12% of residents shopped on the island. In response, RIOC leased the island's predominantly vacant retail spaces to Related Companies and Hudson Companies the following year.
2010: Island Population Reaches 11,661
The 2010 United States Census reported Roosevelt Island's population at 11,661.
2010: Tramway Reconstruction
The Roosevelt Island Tramway underwent a complete reconstruction in 2010 to modernize the system and improve its reliability.
2011: Cornell Tech Announced
Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced in 2011 that Cornell Tech, a graduate school of applied sciences, would be built on Roosevelt Island.
2011: Southpoint Park Reopens and Cornell Tech Project Selected
The year 2011 marked the reopening of Southpoint Park. Furthermore, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and Cornell University were chosen by the city government to develop the Cornell Tech research center on the island. This proposal outlined three towers, a hotel, and a conference center to replace the outdated Goldwater Memorial Hospital.
2012: Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park Opens
The four-acre Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, a New York State Park designed by Louis Kahn in 1974, opened to the public on the southern end of Roosevelt Island in 2012.
2012: Study of Roosevelt Island's Topography
A 2012 study examined Roosevelt Island's topography and found no evidence of ponds or streams on the island.
2013: NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Becomes Island's Sole Public Hospital
Following the closure of Goldwater Memorial Hospital in 2013, NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler became the only public hospital serving Roosevelt Island.
2013: Goldwater Memorial Hospital Closes
Goldwater Memorial Hospital, deemed outmoded, ceased operations in 2013.
2013: Roosevelt Island Steam Plant Closure
The steam plant that specifically served Roosevelt Island and was located behind the Roosevelt Island Tramway's terminal, was shut down in 2013.
2015: Manhattan Park Pool Club Mural Commission Begins
The Manhattan Park Pool Club has commissioned an annual mural for the Manhattan Park development's pool deck every summer since 2015.
2015: Seventh Riverwalk Building Completed
The seventh Riverwalk building was finished in 2015.
2015: Cornell Tech Construction Begins
The year 2015 witnessed the initiation of construction on the Cornell Tech campus.
August 2017: NYC Ferry Service Begins
In August 2017, Roosevelt Island gained a new ferry connection to Astoria, Queens, as part of the NYC Ferry system. The ferry landing is situated on the eastern side of the island, near the tramway station.
2017: Cornell Tech Opens
The first phase of Cornell Tech, a collaboration between Cornell University and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, opened on Roosevelt Island in 2017.
2018: RIOC Announces "Art Trail" Plan
In 2018, RIOC announced its plan to create an "art trail" encircling the island to attract visitors.
2019: Decision Against Reopening Firehouse
In 2019, Mayor Bill de Blasio's office announced that the closed firehouse on Roosevelt Island would not be reopened, citing the availability of other emergency resources on the island.
2019: Eighth Riverwalk Building Completed
The eighth Riverwalk building, accompanied by the renovation of Firefighters Field, was completed in 2019.
2020: United States Census
In 2020, the United States Census recorded a population of 11,722 on Roosevelt Island.
2020: Citi Bike Stations Added
Roosevelt Island saw the addition of Citi Bike bikeshare stations in 2020.
2020: United States Census
The 2020 United States Census revealed that Roosevelt Island's population was 11,722, distributed across three census tracts.
January 2021: New NYPL Branch Opens
The current New York Public Library branch on Roosevelt Island, located at 504 Main Street, opened in January 2021, offering a larger space of 5,200 square feet.
December 2021: The Girl Puzzle Monument Dedicated
In December 2021, The Girl Puzzle monument by Amanda Matthews was dedicated. This followed RIOC's solicitation of plans for a memorial to honor journalist Nellie Bly in 2019.
2021: Metropolitan Hospital Church Transformation
The former Metropolitan Hospital's church, built in the 1920s, was repurposed and opened as a wedding venue in 2021.
2021: Graduate Roosevelt Island Hotel Opening
The Graduate Roosevelt Island hotel, part of the Cornell Tech campus, opened in 2021, marking the first hotel on the island.
November 2022: Riverwalk 9 Construction Begins
Construction of Riverwalk 9, the final building in Southtown, commenced in November 2022.
2022: Southtown Nears Completion
By 2022, eight out of the nine planned buildings in Southtown had been finished, with the final building still under construction.
2023: Current Bus Services
As of 2023, the MTA's Q102 bus route connects Roosevelt Island to Queens, while the fare-free Red Bus, operated by RIOC, provides transportation within the island, connecting residential areas to the subway and tramway.
2023: Inflation-Adjusted Value of Island Purchase
The $32,000 purchase price of the island in 1828 is equivalent to $887,855 in 2023.
March 2024: "Healing Forest" Plans Announced
Plans for a 2,700-square-foot "healing forest" located at the southern tip of the island were unveiled in March 2024.
2024: Accessibility Challenges Persist
As of 2024, despite being accessible via bridge, tramway, ferry, and subway, Roosevelt Island still faced accessibility challenges. Outages in the tramway and subway systems could occasionally prevent disabled residents from traveling to and from the island.
2024: Roosevelt Island Reliant on Queens for Emergency Services
Despite proposals for dedicated services, as of 2024, Roosevelt Island continues to rely on Queens for all its emergency service needs.