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St. Thomas Aquinas College Launches Next Phase of Campus Transformation
St. Thomas Aquinas College is unveiling the next phase of its comprehensive Campus Transformation by enhancing its academic, athletic, and wellness experience to meet the evolving needs of today’s students and tomorrow’s leaders.
This summer marks the culmination of a transformative, five-year Facilities Initiative with the progression of two major capital projects: the state-of-the-art SKAE Astronomy Center, funded by Peter and Leslie Skae—and a new Track & Field Complex.
“At St. Thomas Aquinas College, we are investing boldly in the future of our students by creating state-of-the-art spaces that foster learning, innovation, and holistic well-being,” said St. Thomas Aquinas College President Ken Daly. “These transformational projects reflect our forward-looking vision and steadfast commitment to academic excellence, personal growth, and community engagement. As we continue to enhance our campus, these investments affirm our mission to prepare students to lead meaningful lives of purpose and impact.”
Building on this momentum, the College has launched the Spellman Technology Corridor, an academic initiative that reimagines the future of teaching, learning, and technology. The first phase of the Corridor includes the debut of two new high-tech instructional spaces: the Alden HyFlex Classroom, designed for flexible, interactive learning experiences, and the Ridgewood Savings Bank Data Analytics Lab, a career-focused space supporting data-driven education and research. These additions complement the College’s expanding portfolio of experiential learning environments—including the TV Studio, Digital Imaging Lab, Bloomberg Lab, and Media Classroom—establishing a vibrant hub for interdisciplinary study and innovation.
The College will be breaking ground on an Outdoor Fitness Center, an open-air facility that will expand wellness offerings and promote physical well-being. Funded by George and Patricia Kraus, the Fitness Center will provide students with a space to stay active, build community engagement, and support their mental and physical health and wellbeing.
As St. Thomas Aquinas College continues to evolve, the community is invited to stay connected. Join our Community Newsletter to receive updates on campus enhancements, upcoming events, and exclusive opportunities to become a part of the College’s vibrant future.
NYMTC’s Palisades Shared Use Path Feasibility Study is Now Complete
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) has completed it Palisades Shared Use Path Feasibility Study, which explores the feasibility of making connections from the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, New Jersey to the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in South Nyack, New York.
The final report is available on the project website at https://www.palisadespathstudy.com.
The objectives of the study were to determine the possibility of developing safer, more intuitive, and accessible routes for people walking, biking, running, and rolling in the area.
The two-year study incorporated a series of public visioning meetings, pop-up events, and virtual webinars that identified the study areas, discussed how those corridors could be improved, and engaged residents, business owners, government agencies, and advocacy groups to provide input, while addressing any potential concerns.
Nearly 300 people participated in the study.
NYMTC’s Palisades Shared Use Path Study concluded that a single shared-use path was not feasible due to cost, terrain, technical constraints, and community concerns. Instead, the study recommended a network of 12 designated corridors made up of six north-south connections, five east-west connections, and one first-last mile connection:
Henry Hudson Drive / Main Street: North/south route connectivity to the George Washington Bridge, Fort Lee, Englewood Cliffs, and Alpine, NJ.
Rockland Road / Ferdon Avenue: North/south route connectivity to Tallman Mountain State Park and Piermont, NY.
Piermont Avenue / River Road: North/south route connectivity to Piermont, Grand-View-On-Hudson, and South Nyack, NY
Tallman Mountain State Park Bicycle Path: North/south connectivity to the 9W Market and Piermont, NY.
Highland Avenue / Valentine Avenue: North/south connectivity to Sparkill, NY.
US 9W in Rockland County: Bicycle Route East/west route connectivity to Grand View, South Nyack, and Piermont, NY and Alpine, NJ.
Closter Dock Avenue: East/west route connectivity to Alpine and Closter, NJ.
Hillside Avenue: East/west route connectivity to Alpine and Cresskill, NJ.
Hudson Avenue: East/west route connectivity to Alpine and Cresskill, NJ.
East Clinton Avenue: East/west route connectivity to Englewood Cliffs and Tenafly, NJ.
East Palisade Avenue: East/west route connectivity to Englewood Cliffs and Englewood, NJ.
Hudson Terrace: First-Last Mile route connectivity to the George Washington Bridge, Englewood Cliffs and Ft. Lee, NJ.
These routes are complemented by a separate New Jersey Department of Transportation project to improve connectivity along US-9W in Bergen County.
Additionally, the study advised better amenities – restrooms, benches, bike parking, and water fountains – should be added to these routes along with clear wayfinding to help users navigate the network. The feasibility study did not include an environmental review, detailed designs for the recommended connections, or funding resources.
“There is growing interest to develop adequate infrastructure to allow bicyclists and pedestrians to safely connect and move through the Palisades,” said Adam Levine, executive director of NYMTC. “We engaged meaningfully with all communities along these routes and addressed their interest in developing a network that could accommodate a range of users.”
The study recommends a coordinating organization is needed to advocate for and oversee its implementation and suggests that the New York Metropolitan Transportation Commission (NYMTC), North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission work together to identify a lead agency. Alternatively, a community-based “Friends of” group could take on this role, helping secure funding and push for progress.
The Palisades Shared Use Path Study area extends about 20 miles along the west side of the Hudson River, traversing busy roadways, historic downtowns, and public parklands, including Palisades Interstate Park and Tallman Mountain State Park.
RCLS Road Trip 2025: Visit, Explore, and Win this Summer
The Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS) invites residents this summer to take part in the RCLS Road Trip 2025, a fun and family-friendly program designed to encourage exploration of the public libraries across Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, and southern Ulster counties.
Running from June 30 through September 30, the Road Trip challenges participants to visit as many RCLS member libraries as possible. Along the way, visitors can find out what makes each location unique, whether it is a makerspace, historic architecture, a seed library, or special programs that reflect the character of the local community.
To get started, participants can pick up an official Travel Log at any RCLS library. Inside, they will find fun facts, visit challenges, space to collect stamps, and more. Each library visit earns one entry into a system-wide monthly prize drawing. For every five new libraries visited, participants receive bonus entries into the grand prize drawing.
Participants can also engage online to earn entries by joining the RCLS social media contest.
Follow RCLS for updates, photos, and chances to share your Road Trip adventures!
“The RCLS Road Trip is more than just a fun summer activity; it is a celebration of how libraries connect and inspire communities,” said Grace Riario, Executive Director of RCLS. “Every library has a story, and we invite everyone to come discover them.”
For details, a list of libraries, and to shop for official Road Trip merchandise, visit www.rcls.org and click on ‘RCLS Road Trip’ and ‘RCLS Swag.
