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Rockland County Legislature Approves More Than $5 Million To Purchase Open Space
The Rockland County Legislature has earmarked more than $5 million to purchase a handful of strategic properties under the county’s Open Space Acquisition Program.
“All four of these properties are significant acquisitions that I am excited to preserve and add to the County parks,” said Kevin McGuinness, the county’s Coordinator of Environmental Resources. “The three South Mountain Rd. properties will provide a new access point for South Mountain County Park and the Long Path. The plan is to build two trails from the new parking area up to the Long Path.
The earmarking of the properties is the first step in acquiring land. No deal has been completed on any of these properties, according to a spokesperson from County Executive Ed Day’s office.
The properties are:
- 101 Old Rt. 304, purchase price is $2.9M. – 32 acres
- 63 South Mt. Rd., purchase price is $380K. – 5.8 acres
- 71 South Mt. Rd., purchase price is $500K. – 4 acres
- 61 South Mt. Rd. purchase price is $1.03M. – 5 acres
Acquisition of the Old Route 304 property, known as the DePew farm, would protect and preserve a 1750’s farmhouse and barn, and would restore more than 10 acres for agricultural use. It also protects vital wetlands that feed into our drinking water source at Lake DeForest.
These purchases would add to 40 acres purchased since last year, including 132 acres known as Eagle Valley Assemblance, which the county is in the process of purchasing from the Open Space Institute.
Dominican University New York Awarded $432,714 Federal Grant for New Occupational Therapy Initiative
Dominican University New York has been awarded a three-year, $432,714 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education to fund a new Occupational Therapy Initiative. The Building Capacities and Strengthening Communities (BCSC) Initiative aims to cultivate a diverse and multilingual workforce in New York State to support children and families in underserved areas.
This new initiative has a number of objectives including:
- Enhancing resources and experiential learning in the OT program.
- Increasing and strengthening community partnerships.
- Preparing students to be culturally-diverse learners and future practitioners.
- Creating a mobile, Pro Bono Occupational Therapy Clinic to bring services to underserved communities.
“This new federally-funded initiative presents an unparalleled opportunity to attract a greater number of culturally diverse students to the profession of Occupational Therapy,” said OT Program Director and Allied Health Division Director Pamela Story, OTD. “It will significantly enhance their classroom and clinical preparation, equipping them with the latest and best evidence-based knowledge and skills to provide highly competent services for children and families in underserved areas throughout New York State and the Greater NYC region.”
This initiative was developed and will be administered by a project leadership team of Dominican University faculty, which includes: Project Director Nadia Rust, OTD; Project Co-Director Catherine Cavaliere, Ph.D.; Project Oversight Advisor Pamela Story, OTD; Community Partner Outreach Coordinator Dr. Mary Walsh Roche, DMH; and Pre-OT Admissions Coordinator Dr. Caitlin Sorrentino, OTD. The project is fully funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
DCAK-MSA Architecture & Engineering Merges with CHK Architects, Enhancing Architectural Influence and Service Offerings Across the Northeast
DCAK-MSA Architecture & Engineering, a Nyack-based architectural firm that designed the Pavion residential development on Hudson and Franklin streets, has merged with CHK Architects, an architectural practice in Simsbury, CT.
The strategic partnership significantly enhances DCAK-MSA and CHK’s capabilities, geographic reach, and service offerings, solidifying their position as a powerhouse in the architectural industry,” the firms said in a joint press release.
CHK Architects also gains access to Workshop SAS, a construction management arm of DCAK-MSA.
“We are thrilled to see CHK merge with DCAK-MSA family,” Julia Khomut RA, a Principal of DCAK-MSA. “This partnership is a significant milestone in the growth strategy for both companies, allowing us to broaden our reach and better serve our clients with an expanded portfolio of services and expertise. Our combined capabilities and resources will enable us to tackle larger and more complex projects, delivering exceptional results.”
The combined forces of DCAK-MSA and CHK will offer expanded capabilities in architecture, interior design, civil engineering, construction, and design-build services. This merger extends their coverage from New Hampshire to Long Island, with offices strategically located in four locations across this territory. The principals of the firm are nationally licensed and certified to operate in 22 states, ensuring a broad and flexible service range for clients. In addition, CHK has two licensed code officials on staff to oversee document production and building commissioning.
CHK has a notable presence in workplace design as well as in the aerospace industry, serving prominent clients such as The Hartford, CVS/Aetna, General Dynamics, Raytheon, Pratt & Whitney, and Collins Aerospace. DCAK-MSA has extensive experience in municipal and multifamily architecture, including airport runways and signalization, making the combined firm a leader in aerospace-related architectural services.
CHK also provides services to the defense industry, while DCAK-MSA serves colleges and educational institutions. The firms also cater to more traditional sectors, with CHK working with financial services clients, and DCAK-MSA designing for real estate developers.
“Joining forces with DCAK-MSA allows us to enhance our capabilities and provide even greater value to our clients,” said Hugh Schweitzer, AIA, LEED AP, Partner, CHK. “Together, we will continue to deliver exceptional architectural solutions that meet the evolving needs of our communities.”
CHK designed the Pratt & Whitney World Headquarters and Engineering Technical Center, East Hartford, CT – 440,000 square foot, five-story building on P&W’s main campus.
