Boom Time for Roosevelt Island?

The Observer looks at "Roosevelt Island 2.0"--as in the new developments on the island. The big development Riverwalk "could bring 2,500 to 3,000 new residents to the Island" which translates to over a 25% increase in population since 2000. Roosevelt Island 360 blogger Eric Schwartzman has been documenting the addition of Riverwalk said of the chain stores finally arriving, "It very funny, where a lot of areas are like 'We already have too many Starbucks,' on the island, when that first came, people began to feel like, 'Hey, we're part of civilization!'" (Schwartzman took this photo of Riverwalk signage that touts the Starbucks and Duane Reade among others.)

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By Jen Chung in News on September 2, 2008 1:00 PM

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peanutgallery

Roosevelt Island is like a demented Disney World. The shrubbery/buildings are pretty, but there are some medical facilities there that house some interesting characters. When I lived there in '99, former-gangbanger amputees would lay out on the sidewalk in their hospital beds and cat-call all the female passerby. One time, a priest committed suicide by jumping off one of the balconies, landing in a playground. Then, the police found a body in a shed behind my building. Bizarre.

Public Relations

One of our colleagues lived there for years, is really a gem of a place to live. So peaceful and safe and attractive.

Most of the dwellers are middle to upper incomed educated professionals - so great for networking with neighbors