As previously reported, the
Big Reuse Queensbridge Compost Processing
facility which recycles
food scraps collected from Roosevelt Island
and many other neighborhoods in Queens and Brooklyn is
scheduled to be evicted from it’s site under the Queensboro Bridge by the NYC Parks Department at the
end of this month.  

Today,
Big Reuse
delivered a truckload containing 9 cubic yards of compost from it’s facility
in Gowanus Brooklyn to the
Roosevelt Island Living Library
next to the new Public Library branch at 504 Main Street. 

Living Library Teacher and Gardener China Bushell explains that the Roosevelt
Island Living Library is built on compost, no soil at all, and with the added
compost, more flowers and vegetables can be planted in the garden.

This was a good day for Ms Bushell and the Roosevelt Island Living Library
unlike May 20 which Ms Bushell described as ” one of my worst days on
Roosevelt Island.”

On May 25, I asked the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

I’m told last Saturday, a brutally hot day, the Living Library gardener
attempted to use the Youth Center Water Connection for the plants and to save
trees that were dying as she has done for several years in the past. According
to the Gardener she was stopped from doing so by Erica Spencer-El who claimed
the Gardener was trespassing and filed a complaint with Public Safety.
Is this true? Any comment from RIOC on the matter?

Ms Spencer-El is the RIOC Director of Communications and Community Affairs.

RIOC has not responded to my inquiry.

In response to Living Library Director Bonnie Sherk’s
email about this incident, RIOC President Shelton Haynes replied:

… I was made aware of the incident that occurred last week with regard to
the request for water usage near the RIOC Youth Center. Please know it is
always RIOC’s intention to have positive professional exchanges with
Roosevelt Island community members, stakeholders and the public at large. As
an update, we have plans to upgrade the area adjacent to the library which
includes having a permanent water source. We anticipate that this project
should be completed in the fall 2021. 

I have copied John O’Reilly, CFO on this correspondence as he will work with
you and your team on a temporary solution for water access. We would also
like to discuss some additional upgrades to the area that your group works
in.

Lastly, Rosanna Ceruzzi inquired if there was an NYPD report filed on the
matter. Our Public Safety leadership confirmed that there was no NYPD
involvement or reports filed. Ms. Bushell, does not have any NYPD record
that will need to be expunged. A member of the RIOC Public Safety
department, who was assigned to the Youth Center that day was on the scene
during the discussion. As part the requirement of the Public Safety
department, he made an incident report in which all parties involved have to
identify themselves….

More info about
this incident at May 27 post.