Press
Our Mission
The Roosevelt Island Architectural Community Alliance (ArchRI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to studying, documenting, preserving, appreciating, and educating the public about the unique urban design, architecture, and public spaces of Roosevelt Island. The Island serves as a model for sustainable, affordable housing communities, where human-scaled design, integrated public spaces, and thoughtful planning create a resilient, close-knit, and inclusive community.
ArchRI’s mission is to highlight how the Island’s urban planning principles—pedestrian-oriented circulation, interconnected parks, and mixed-use residential clusters—support both high-quality urban living and long-term affordability. Through research, documentation, advocacy, walking tours, and educational programs, ArchRI seeks to ensure that Roosevelt Island’s distinctive character, inclusive housing, and community-centered design are preserved, appreciated, and integrated into future development and city planning initiatives.
In the News
National / City-Wide Media
Gothamist / WNYC (NPR One) – April 20, 2026 “Roosevelt Island residents alarmed by emergency demolition of old steam plant” https://gothamist.com/news/roosevelt-island-residents-alarmed-by-emergency-demolition-of-old-steam-plant
NY Post — April 5, 2026 “NYC residents raise stink over demolition of potentially toxic iconic old power plant” https://nypost.com/2026/04/05/us-news/nyc-residents-raise-stink-over-demolition-of-potentially-toxic-iconic-old-power-plant/
amNewYork — April 2026 “Rusted trucks on Roosevelt Island signal a rushed demolition residents are fighting” (Op-ed) https://www.amny.com/opinion/rusted-trucks-roosevelt-island-rushed-demolition-residents-fighting/
Roosevelt Islander Online
Op-Ed: What’s The Emergency? — May 6, 2026 HPD FAQ analysis; safety vs. real estate question https://rooseveltislander.com/2026/05/06/op-ed-whats-the-emergency-roosevelt-island-residents-ask-if-safety-or-real-estate-development-the-real-reason-for-steam-plant-demolition/
Alex Bores Congressional Candidate on Steam Plant — April 23, 2026 Steam plant becomes election issue in 12th CD primary https://rooseveltislander.com/2026/04/23/democratic-party-primary-candidate-for-12th-congressional-district-alex-bores-talks-about-roosevelt-island-m-train-steam-plant-post-office-problems/
Over 100 Residents Come Out In Force — April 17, 2026 April 15 town hall coverage with full video https://rooseveltislander.com/2026/04/17/over-one-hundred-roosevelt-island-residents-come-out-in-force-seeking-answers-at-boisterous-april-15-steam-plant-demolition-town-hall-meeting/
Residents Seek Support of Mayor Mamdani — April 13, 2026 Community appeal to new mayor https://rooseveltislander.com/2026/04/13/roosevelt-island-residents-seek-support-of-nyc-mayor-mamdani-to-stop-the-steam-plant-demolition/
Town Hall Planned for April 15 — March 31, 2026 Pre-town hall summary with elected official statements https://rooseveltislander.com/2026/03/31/roosevelt-island-steam-plant-demolition-community-town-hall-planned-for-april-15-with-nyc-hpd-nyc-dept-of-buildings-rioc/
Rally to Stop Demolition, March 7 — March 6, 2026 Rally announcement; $700K chimney repair report https://rooseveltislander.com/2026/03/06/residents-holding-rally-to-stop-the-roosevelt-island-steam-plant-demolition-saturday-march-7-at-firefighters-field/
Steam Plant Demolition Update — Feb 12 RIOC Ops Agenda — February 11, 2026 Petition update; RIOC: “city project, RIOC does not have a lot to do with it” https://rooseveltislander.com/2026/02/11/roosevelt-island-steam-plant-demolition-update-avac-repairs-west-promenade-enhancements-snow-operations-on-feb-12-rioc-operations-committee-meeting-agenda/
CB8 RI Committee Agenda, Feb 2 — February 1, 2026 Steam plant formally on CB8 agenda https://rooseveltislander.com/2026/02/01/homelessness-steam-plant-demolition-on-agenda-for-community-board-8-roosevelt-island-committee-virtual-meeting-monday-february-2/
Update on Emergency Demolition — January 6, 2026 Community still waiting for answers https://rooseveltislander.com/2026/01/06/update-on-roosevelt-island-steam-plant-emergency-demolition-community-still-waiting-for-answers-on-details-environmental-impact-and-possible-alternatives/
Site Planning & Permitting Begins — November 24, 2025 First report of demolition contractor; master lease housing connection https://rooseveltislander.com/2025/11/24/site-planning-permitting-begins-to-demolish-roosevelt-island-steam-plant-and-smokestacks-in-response-to-buildings-dept-july-2024-emergency-safety-order/
Steam Plant on RIOC Real Estate Agenda — October 13, 2025 RIOC REDAC meeting — demolition as Item 1 on real estate agenda https://rooseveltislander.com/2025/10/13/roosevelt-island-steam-plant-demolition-on-agenda-for-october-15-rioc-real-estate-meeting-watch-video-of-dancers-performing-inside-steam-plant-building/
NYC Buildings Dept Issues Emergency Declaration — May 8, 2025 First report of demolition order https://rooseveltislander.com/2025/05/08/nyc-buildings-department-issues-emergency-declaration-to-demolish-roosevelt-island-steam-plant/
The Roosevelt Island Lighthouse (Substack)
Air Doesn’t Have an Address — May 8, 2026 DOB walkthrough, CAG letter analysis, steam plant as a city-wide story https://www.ri-lighthouse.com/p/air-doesnt-have-an-address
Emergency Without Urgency — March 13, 2026 “An emergency is not just a condition. It is a classification.” https://www.ri-lighthouse.com/p/emergency-without-urgency
The Emergency Was Always Underground — December 26, 2025 Steam plant, steam tunnel, and seawall as integrated infrastructure https://www.ri-lighthouse.com/p/the-emergency-is-underground-apparently
Other Coverage
RI Daily — February 2026 RIOC Operations Committee coverage https://rooseveltislanddaily.news/2026/02/12/roosevelt-island-operating-corporation-steam-plant-demolition/
Untapped New York — October 22, 2013 “Community Group Hopes to Turn Steam Plant Into Museum” — 2013 interior tour https://untappedcities.com/community-group-hopes-to-turn-roosevelt-islands-steam-plant-into-a-museum-for-technology-art-and-science/
Contact
E-mail:
info@archrica.org
Social media:
Instagram: instagram.com/TheArchRI
Facebook: facebook.com/TheArchRI