Shelton Haynes is the current President and CEO of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC), which oversees the management and development of Roosevelt Island in New York City. Under his leadership, RIOC has made significant progress in completing the Riverwalk neighborhood, a long-term project that will transform the island’s waterfront.
The Riverwalk neighborhood, located on the eastern shore of Roosevelt Island, has been developing for over a decade. The project aims to create a vibrant, mixed-use community with residential, commercial, and public spaces. With Haynes at the helm, RIOC has worked with developers to finalize plans for the remaining parcels of land in the neighborhood.
In January 2023, RIOC announced that it had signed agreements with two developers to complete the final phases of the Riverwalk project. One developer will build a mixed-use building with ground-floor retail and residential units, while the other will construct a residential building with affordable housing.
The completion of the Riverwalk neighborhood is a significant milestone for Roosevelt Island and a testament to Haynes’ leadership. As he stated, “The Riverwalk development is one of the largest and most transformative projects in RIOC’s history, and we are thrilled to see it nearing completion. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in this project, including our partners in the development community.”
Haynes has been with RIOC since 2016 and has been instrumental in advancing the organization’s goals. In addition to overseeing the Riverwalk project, he has led efforts to improve transportation options on the island, enhance public spaces, and promote economic development.
Under Haynes’ leadership, RIOC has also implemented initiatives to improve sustainability and reduce the island’s carbon footprint. For example, the organization installed solar panels on the island’s tramway station and launched a bike-share program to encourage alternative transportation methods.
Looking ahead, Haynes and RIOC will continue to focus on enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors to Roosevelt Island. With the completion of the Riverwalk project, the island will have a vibrant, modern waterfront community that will serve as a model for sustainable urban development.
In summary, Shelton Haynes, the CEO of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, has led efforts to finalize the Riverwalk neighborhood project, which aims to create a vibrant, mixed-use community on the island’s waterfront. The completion of the project is a significant milestone for Roosevelt Island and a testament to Haynes’ leadership and dedication to advancing RIOC’s goals. With the project nearing completion, Haynes and RIOC will continue to focus on improving transportation options, enhancing public spaces, and promoting economic development on the island.