Aida Morales; Chief of Staff at Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation
Aida Morales is the Chief of Staff at Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC). The corporation was formed by the State of New York in 1984. The State’s mission was to plan, operate, design, maintain, and develop Roosevelt Island. Aida Morales had worked with the corporation as an Executive Assistant for almost three years before ascending to the chief of staff position in September 2021.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation focuses on providing environmentally innovative remedies to enhance the residentiary community. The RIOC manages an array of facilities, such as:
The Island’s roads.
Parks.
Buildings.
Sports facility.
Public transportation.
A public safety department to ensure residents, visitors, business owners, and employees enjoy safety and security in Roosevelt Island.
What is Special About Roosevelt Island?
Roosevelt Island is located between Manhattan and Long Island City, away from the East River. On Roosevelt Island stands the Blackwell House, built in 1796. The house is a historic building that has been under renovation for years until 2019. Being the Island’s oldest building, the Blackwell House will be a museum hosting historic artifacts, records, and archives.
In collaboration with the City Councilmember office and the city, Roosevelt Island operating corporation funded the multimillion renovation project. At the grand opening ceremony, City Councilmember, Ben Kallos, acknowledged that the renovation took over 13 years due to funding-related conflicts with city agencies. According to Shelton Haynes, RIOC President, the renovation comprises installing new ceilings, stairs, doors, HVAC systems, trimmings, and an ADA-compliant access ram. The renovations revitalize the urban core of Roosevelt Island.
Another of Roosevelt Island’s historic features is the Lighthouse Tower, designed in 1872 by architect James Renwick. The landmark was renovated in 2019 to enhance the liveliness of the tower, clear hazardous conditions, and cut down maintenance and operating expenditures. The tower is a cornerstone and among the top-ranked treasures on Roosevelt Island. Restoring the Lighthouse Tower preserves the original masonry and pays respect to the unique lantern created by Renwick.
Rapid Coronavirus Testing Center to Open On Roosevelt Island
In addition to the historical features, RIOC plans to open a rapid COVID-19 testing center on Roosevelt Island at 524 Main St. The testing center will deliver test results within 15 minutes. The residents can walk into the testing center between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or register before the free tests, Wednesday to Saturday.