Brookdale Approves $1.9M in Campus Upgrades

LINCROFT, NJ (Aug. 21, 2015) – Brookdale Community College officials have approved a $1,986,000 renovation project that will create a new “pedestrian thoroughfare” on the Lincroft campus.

The project, funded by the state and Monmouth County, will transform the college’s existing rear walkway into the “Campus Gateway Path,” featuring decorative pavement, new landscaping, fencing, seating alcoves, art installations and ornamental lighting.

The new promenade will transform the Lincroft campus, connecting nearly all existing buildings and serving as a source of social and aesthetic unity for Brookdale students, employees and visitors, said landscape architect Adam Alexander.

“New spaces will be created for quiet reading, conversations and a wide range of campus activities,” said Alexander, who helped design the project for Partner Engineering and Science in Eatontown. “This thoroughfare will redefine the way people view, access and experience Brookdale’s flagship campus.”

The new walkway will be wheelchair accessible and will feature energy efficient LED lighting in decorative fixtures for safe travel at night. Plans also call for a series of new art installations to be designed and created by Brookdale art department employees.

The renovations will stretch from the Performing Arts Center on the north end of the Lincroft campus to the Collins Arena on the south end. Improvements will also be made to the entrance and walkway of the Monmouth Museum.

The project will be funded by Monmouth County and the state of New Jersey through the Chapter 12 capital improvement program.

The Brookdale Board of Trustees voted on Aug. 21 to award the $1,986,000 renovation project to Circle A. Construction Co., Inc., of Neptune City.

“After sitting idle for many years, Brookdale’s underutilized back walkway will now become the center of all campus life, providing new opportunities for the Brookdale community to learn, explore and come together,” said Brookdale President Dr. Maureen Murphy. “We are extremely grateful to Monmouth County and the state for this unique opportunity.”

College professionals will meet with Circle A. Construction officials prior to the fall semester to develop a timetable for construction. Work will be completed in phases to minimize disruptions to the campus community. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

“Brookdale’s efforts to improve accessibility and safety for its students by connecting its campus is a step in the right direction,” said Freeholder John P. Curley, liaison to the county’s community college. “This Freeholder Board is supportive of the college’s efforts to responsibly improve its physical plant while wisely making use of the County’s Triple AAA rating to reduce the financial impact on the county taxpayers.”