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<\/p>\nROOSEVELT ISLAND (WABC) — The Roosevelt Island Tramway is celebrating its 50th anniversary this week, as the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation hopes to explore ways to handle two of its decaying and abandoned original cabins.<\/p>\n
When the Roosevelt Island Tram first opened in 1976, it was supposed to just be temporary.<\/p>\n
“The tram originally opened in 1976. It was originally a temporary measure to help people get to the island from Manhattan,” said Bryant Daniels of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation. “It was supposed to shut down when the subway line opened in 1989, by that point it had become so ingrained in the community and such an important piece of the New York City fabric that they decided it was going to remain open.”<\/p>\n
Having been sitting under the Motorgate Helix and rotting away since 2010 when the tram was updated and the cabins were replaced, two of the original cabins are painted in pigeon droppings, splattered in graffiti, and now even housing stray felines.<\/p>\n
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Now, there is a push to repurpose the cabins, and all ideas and suggestions are welcome.<\/p>\n
A kiosk for ice cream, a bar, a playground with swings and a museum are just some of the ideas that people suggested.<\/p>\n
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation hopes to have a robust public discussion over the next few months.<\/p>\n
“50 should look better than this,” Daniels said. “That’s why we have started this initiative to think about what the future of these cabins can be, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the tram operating.”<\/p>\n
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