oosevelt Island is probably the most unique part of New York City. A sliver of an island, which resembles a battle-ship, Roosevelt Island lies between Manhattan and Queens on the East River. From its southern tip that was once the home for contagious smallpox patients, to its northern end that gives root to a historical lighthouse, this island is the home of a plethora of historical landmarks.

In 1999, after almost 30 years of endless negotiations and failed plans, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) board unanimously approved plans for a development project that would change most of the island. The RIOC was created in 1984 by the New York State Legislature as a public benefit corporation charged with maintaining, operating and developing the 147-acre island. The $400 million project, named Southtown, will create millions in revenue and hundreds of jobs. It will be funded mostly through private investment to the Roosevelt Island community.

Also underway is the Southpoint proposal, which has not yet been voted on by the RIOC Board. However, if effective the proposal will include the creation of a memorial for the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a public park and a Marriott Hotel, all on the southern point of the island that has been abandoned for 40 years. The proposed hotel would include a conference center, a five-star restaurant, 350 rooms, 50 condominiums and ferry service that will run to and from the East Side and LaGuardia Airport. The RIOC agrees that the possibility of the Marriott is exciting and can help Roosevelt Island's tourism industry immensely. But the island's residents are not all enthusiastic about the proposed development. "No one on the island is going to support it," says Judy Berdy, vice president of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society, who has lived there for 23 years.

Meanwhile development on some parts of Roosevelt Island has already begun. The island's historic lighthouse was initially built on the northern tip in 1872 by James Renwick, the famed architect who designed St. Patrick's cathedral as well as the Smallpox Hospital on the southern tip. In 1999, an anonymous donor contributed more than $120,000 for restoration and illumination of the lighthouse. The 50 feet tall lighthouse, which was described by the Landmarks Preservation Commission as having a "special character, special historical and aesthetic interest and value as part of the development, heritage and cultural characteristics of New York City" overlooks Gracie Mansion and the Hellgate waters.

Another important development is the conversion of three former mini-school buildings into condominiums, for use as homes and offices. The mini-schools were formerly used by the New York Board of Education as Public School 217. Years later after the completion of Roosevelt Island School, the schools became vacant. The island is also evaluating plans to merge the aerial tramway, which is used to travel to and from Manhattan, with the Mass Transit Association so that resident's can use their subway passes for the tramway as well. The development project will completely reshape Roosevelt Island and it is emblematic of the rebirth of a city. "This island gives you the advantage of living in New York City, without having to live with all the craziness of the city itself, " says John Durso, the public information officer of RIOC, while explaining the island's subtlety.