New York CIty Council Member Ben Kallos

Roosevelt Island

<P>As a <a href="/about/biography">third generation Upper East Sider</a>, I have deep roots in the community including on Roosevelt Island where my grandfather, Dr. Andrew Kallos, served patients at <A HREF="http://www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/html/facilities/colergoldwater.shtml">Coler… Memorial Hospital</A> upon completing his distinguished service in the United States Armed services during World War II.</P>
<P>As a Chief of Staff to an Upper East Side Assembly Member and longtime member of <A HREF="http://cb8m.com">Community Board 8 Manhattan</A>, I have kept the needs of Roosevelt Island residents at the forefront of my agenda. Working alongside resident leaders to fight for "Democracy on Roosevelt Island" through recognition of the Governor of elections for Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) Board Members and "Access Roosevelt Island" to provide transportation alternatives for Roosevelt Island.</P>
<P>I will continue to fight for responsible development on Roosevelt Island of the infrastructure improvements that will be required to better support the existing 12,000 residents as well as the 2,780 new students and faculty that Cornell NYC Tech will bring.</P>

Statement in Support of Expanding Beds at Coler Public Hospital for Coronavirus Treatment

Monday, March 16, 2020

We need every bed we can find to care for those who may come down with coronavirus. These 350 beds at Coler public hospital can really help provide the critical care that our family, friends, and neighbors may need to recover. I am proud to represent so many hospitals, including public hospitals like Coler, that can play a pivotal role in treating our most vulnerable.

Once we are through this crisis, we must reverse the damage done by the Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century in 2006 that recommended closure of 9 facilities, affected 57 hospitals and 81 acute care and long-term care facilities removing as many as 4,200 inpatient beds from our healthcare system. We must rebuild a resilient medical system that can run at a fraction of built capacity, ready to take on the next major medical emergency or pandemic.

The Cornell Dailly Sun Amazon to Neighbor Cornell Tech in New York City: What are the Pros and Cons? by Meredith Liu

Amazon to Neighbor Cornell Tech in New York City: What are the Pros and Cons?

“We are very concerned about the impact on the surrounding neighborhoods we represent — Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Astoria and Roosevelt Island — and on the already overburdened housing markets in these areas,” wrote Ben Kallos, member of the New York City Council representing Roosevelt Island, in a joint statement issued via Twitter with three other council members. “Our offices are constantly working with constituents who are losing their homes due to rapidly escalating rents.”

Upper East Side Patch City Begins Work On New Roosevelt Island Library by Brendan Krisel

City Begins Work On New Roosevelt Island Library

The new $7.8 million library will be fully ADA accessible and feature computer work stations, a reading area, a teen area, a children's room and a multi-use community room for events. The project will also result in exterior improvements such as new plantings, a book drop and a bench area that will double as a bus stop.

Funds for the project were allocated by Mayor Bill de Blasio, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, City Council Member Ben Kallos and former City Council Member Jessica Lappin.

AM New York De Blasio, Bloomberg at Cornell's Roosevelt Island tech campus groundbreaking by Ivan Pereira

De Blasio, Bloomberg at Cornell's Roosevelt Island tech campus groundbreaking

Councilman Ben Kallos, who represents the island and used to run a technology consulting firm, said the school's location makes sense because it easily connects to the headquarters of east side and Long Island City tech firms.

"It will make the tram, ferry service and F train a viable corridor," he said.

Main Street WIRE Kallos: State of the District by Sara Maher

Kallos: State of the District

City Council Member Ben Kallos staged a State of the District event on Sunday, February 8, to highlight his accomplishments and present his goals for 2015.

Since his election in November 2013, said Kallos, he has proposed and gotten passed four local laws and two resolutions. With fellow Council Member Jimmy Vaca, he introduced and secured passage of a local law that mandates online publication of all items currently in the City Record. Two other laws “improve transparency, efficiency, and participation in our city;” the fourth will make City laws available online.

Kallos reported that he secured $35 million of the $110 million needed to complete the East River Waterfront Esplanade project, which is connecting two miles of public space along the East River.

He is also one of 24 Council Members involved in participatory budgeting, a process that allows community members to decide directly how tax dollars are spent. He allocated $2.7 million toward selected projects.

Said Kallos of the time remaining in his term, “With two years, 10 months, 19 days, 10 hours, 30 minutes and about 40 seconds left, we’ve got so much more to get done, in precious little time.”

Roosevelt Islander Roosevelt Island's Coler Hospital Getting $181 Million For Hurricane Sandy Repairs And Future Protection From Storms As Part Of $1.6 Billion Commitment From FEMA For NYC Hospitals by Roosevelt Islander

Roosevelt Island's Coler Hospital Getting $181 Million For Hurricane Sandy Repairs And Future Protection From Storms As Part Of $1.6 Billion Commitment From FEMA For NYC Hospitals

Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos adds:

Rebuilding and resiliency for HHC hospitals are essential investments for a City prepared to take on the next Sandy. Senator Schumer and Mayor de Blasio merit recognition for their leadership in securing FEMA federal funding and investing it in our public hospitals.