Roosevelt Island

Roosevelt Island. A narrow, two-mile-long island in the East River, it is part of the borough of Manhattan in New York City. Lying between the island of Manhattan to the west and the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens to the east, it is known for its planned residential community, historic landmarks, and unique transportation systems. The island has undergone several transformations, from its early colonial ownership by the Blackwell family to its 20th-century municipal institutions and late-century residential redevelopment.

History

Originally called Minnahannock by the local Lenape people, the island was purchased in 1637 by Dutch Governor Wouter van Twiller and later came under English control. For centuries it was known as Blackwell's Island, named for the family that owned it, and was used for institutions like the New York City Lunatic Asylum, the Workhouse, and the Penitentiary. In 1921, it was renamed Welfare Island after the city agency that managed its hospitals and asylums. A major transformation began in the 1970s under the New York State Urban Development Corporation, which commissioned the firm Philip Johnson and John Burgee to design a new residential community; the island was renamed in 1973 to honor former President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Main Street retail and residential complex, developed by the Related Companies, was a cornerstone of this renewal, with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation established to oversee its management.

Geography and demographics

The island is approximately 2 miles long and 800 feet wide at its broadest point, with a total area of about 147 acres. It is composed primarily of Manhattan schist bedrock and is located in the East River’s Hell Gate channel, adjacent to the Astoria neighborhood. The 2020 United States Census recorded a population of nearly 12,000 residents, who live primarily in modern apartment complexes like Riverwalk and Manhattan Park. The population is diverse, with significant international communities, and the island is home to the United Nations International School and staff from the nearby United Nations Headquarters. The southern tip features the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, while the northern end is dominated by the Lighthouse Park.

Transportation

Primary access is provided by the iconic red Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects to the Upper East Side of Manhattan across the Queensboro Bridge. The island is also served by the F train at the Roosevelt Island station, accessible via a tunnel under the East River. The Roosevelt Island Bridge, a vertical-lift bridge, provides the only vehicular link to Queens. An innovative, publicly owned Red Bus system offers free internal circulation, and a ferry service operated by NYC Ferry connects to Long Island City and Midtown Manhattan. Pedestrian and cyclist access is available via the Queensboro Bridge’s lower level.

Landmarks and institutions

Notable historical structures include the 1839 Lighthouse, designed by James Renwick Jr., and the Gothic Revival-style Chapel of the Good Shepherd, which is now a community center. The ruins of the Smallpox Hospital, designed by James Renwick Jr., are a designated New York City Landmark and part of the National Register of Historic Places. The southern tip is occupied by the monumental Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, designed by architect Louis Kahn. Major institutions include the Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility, a public long-term care hospital, and the Cornell Tech campus, a graduate school of Cornell University focused on technology and engineering, which anchors the island's northern end.

Governance

The island is governed as part of Manhattan Community District 8 and is represented in the New York City Council by the district covering the Upper East Side. Day-to-day operations, infrastructure, and public safety are managed by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, a public-benefit corporation of the State of New York. The New York City Police Department’s 114th Precinct in Queens provides police services, while the New York City Fire Department’s Engine Company 260 operates a firehouse on the island. Residents also participate in the Roosevelt Island Residents Association and are served by the local New York Public Library branch.

Category:Islands of New York City Category:Neighborhoods in Manhattan