FDR Four Freedoms Park receives conditional designation from RIOC

At a board meeting of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) held September 11th, the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute (FERI) was granted conditional designation to proceed on the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park as designed by architect Louis Kahn for the south point of the island. "The decision enables us to move forward to the next steps and create this wonderful tribute to Franklin Delano Roosevelt on the island in the East River that bears his name. ?We have re-established the partnership intended in 1973-the state, the city and the private sector coming together as partners to build this project that will have universal attention and admiration," said William Vanden Heuvel, founder and chair emeritus of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute. The conditional designation will be formalized in a future agreement between FERI and RIOC. Further discussions regarding phased construction of the park will also be formalized. The park has received support and endorsements from many public and civic organizations, as well as elected officials including governor David Patterson and mayor Michael Bloomberg.