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Jay Walk Opens to Community

One of John Jay's new signature spaces, the Jay Walk, was opened to the community on September 13. The ribbon-cutting was held during Community Hour so that students could be the first to usher in this 60,000-square-foot rooftop terrace. "The Jay Walk is one of the crown jewels of the College's new expanded campus," said John Jay President Jeremy Travis. "This spectacular space is an oasis of green where students, faculty and staff can relax, socialize and study."

Featuring a vegetable garden, wide lawns, magnolia trees, benches and a means of connecting John Jay's two buildings, the Jay Walk is the centerpiece of the College's expansion, which includes a 13-story, 625,000-square-foot building designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

The September 13 ceremony kicked off with a gala ribbon-cutting, as Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Robert Pignatello, Vice President of Student Affairs Tom Stafford, Student Council President Mehak Kapoor and Faculty Senate President Karen Kaplowitz wielded ceremonial scissors for the highly anticipated grand opening.

An oversized flight of outside stairs mirrors the Cascade inside the concourse, where students can sit and enjoy their surroundings in an amphitheater-like setting. The stairs lead to the first of the three floors occupied by the science department.

The Jay Walk, which was named by the students themselves in 2010, includes a vegetable garden where harvests of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, herbs and even watermelon are already being produced.

CCustom engraved bricks and personalized trees and benches on the Jay Walk provide supporters of John Jay with a unique way to honor and remember alumni, graduating students, faculty and friends. Proceeds from these commemorative gifts go directly to support scholarships and other programs for John Jay students. Click here for more information on the Jay Walk campaign.