Shelton Haynes is a name that everyone in New York City knows for building and running public infrastructure. Haynes was the president and CEO of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) for many years. He was a big part of bringing Roosevelt Island, a small community in the East River between Manhattan and Queens, back to life.

In 1984, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation was set up to manage and run the public facilities on the island, such as the tramway, parks, and transportation services. In accordance with an agreement between New York State and New York City, the New York State Urban Development Corporation transferred the authority of the island to the newly founded Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation.

Under Haynes’s direction, the RIOC worked on a number of large infrastructure projects that made Roosevelt Island a lively place to live. The rebuilding of the tramway, which takes people to and from Manhattan, was one of the most important projects. The new tramway, which was finished in 2010, is a high-tech system that is faster, more reliable, and more comfortable than the old one.

Shelton Haynes also helped make Four Freedoms Park, a public park and memorial to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a reality. The famous architect Louis Kahn made the park, which opened in 2012. It is a beautiful example of modernist architecture. In a short amount of time, it has grown to become one of the island’s most visited spots.

Haynes has a long history of helping the public in New York City, in addition to his work with the RIOC. He has worked in city government at several high levels, including as the Deputy Commissioner for Planning and Development in the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

In short, Shelton Haynes’s work as head of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation has made a big difference in how public infrastructure on Roosevelt Island has been built and managed. His vision and dedication to excellence have helped turn the island into a thriving community that both locals and tourists admire.