Step Two: Throw the idea out there, see what happens

Touched base with Judy Berdy from the Roosevelt Island Historical Society. Always fun, always a pleasure. In my mind, she is the queen of Roosevelt Island. Judy is the woman who first introduced me to RIOC and who ultimately introduced me to Maria Wilpon from BL. Judy’s support is critical and has been very generous.

I first contacted Judy about a month or two after doing the original drawing. Judy is the President of the Historical Society. I found her when researching the building online. I contacted her and sent her an initial idea proposal. At the time this felt like a wild stab in the dark and I didn’t know what I was expecting. I was not expecting Judy Berdy. In one meeting I found myself with a strong supporter and ally who was excited about the project.

Judy explained all sorts of things about the building, its history and the island. She put me in contact with RIOC (Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation) the organization that governs Roosevelt Island and specifically the ruins of the Smallpox Hospital. This early support and guidance was part of the transformation of the drawing into broad idea proposals, describing what the project could be.

Later when it was time to hire an engineer, I met with many talented people through my friends and contacts, but it was Judy who put me in touch with Maria Wilpon of BL Companies. Having worked extensively on Roosevelt Island, recently completing the Tram Project, Maria was a dream match for The Butterflies of Memory.

Maria has become the spine of the project, an unbelievable gift, offering the knowledge and expertise of BL Companies and their team. This was so much more than I could have hoped for. Maria immediately understood and believed in the project and shared the vision of it, to the extent that Maria not only mentors the project but works pro bono. This project would be impossible without her.

Meetings, meetings and more meetings

Engineering Meeting at RIOC, everyone is there, the new team. Myself, Maria Wilpon, and Cheng Gu present the project.

Everyone is excited, presentation goes well. Lots of questions and ideas thrown out. Talk about the two parks being built: FDR Memorial and South Point Park and their timelines.

Lots of talk about rigging and cranes. Cheng Gu from Weidlinger gives a great PowerPoint presentation.

Prepping for Big Meetings

I am re-reading the structural plans and going over numbers. I am prepping for a January 11 meeting with RIOC, an important one as I will be formally presenting the structural plans. Maria will be speaking about the project and how she is guiding it and Weidlinger will be giving a power point on its structure and numbers and how it not only preserves but potentially strengthens the ruins.

I am struck by the size, specifically the weight of the project. The whole piece weighs around 32,000 pounds. That's sixteen tons. I am struck by the reality of that and when I mention it nervously, my sweetheart transforms it into elephants to make it more manageable. A male African Elephant can weigh up to 15,000 pounds, therefore my piece is like two big elephants. Well two elephants and a giraffe, nothing scary about that... I love elephants.