Bulletin Board, December 2020
Our New Neighbors: Red Owl Academy
Outgrowing their existing space on Main Street in Sparkill, the Red Owl Academy is moving to the former school building on Oak Tree Road in Palisades. Liana Sargsyan-Quinn, who runs the school, is an educator with over 15 years’ experience of teaching in schools and universities and started Red Owl Academy when she found limited pre-school options for her own daughter. Red Owl Academy brings a fresh and modern approach to early childhood education with a strong emphasis on the importance of organizational skills. The school offers language and art programs for children aged 3 to 5 as well as a nursery for
younger children. Liana has made great renovations to the building and created a beautiful facility which will be a welcome addition to our community.
SOCSD is opening a food pantry for school district families-in-need at the former Tappan Zee Elementary School at 561 Route 9W in Piermont. Donations of staple food items, such as milk, eggs, bread, rice and canned goods, can be dropped off. Please email
URGENT: REQUEST FOR HNA BUYER
The price of HNA has dropped to $36 million for the 106 acre, 450,000 square foot building (206 hotel
rooms, 47,000 square feet of conference space, restaurants, and gym facilities). There is local interest in the property (mostly high-density multi family housing and a school) but the price has not been met.
Palisades reps met with a few interested parties. One would keep the hotel and add 350 multifamily houses. Another would demolish the hotel to make way for over 500 multifamily houses. This would double the population of Palisades which is just under 600 homes. At community meetings, if residential is to happen, people are comfortable with 2-acre lots with larger homes. At this time, HNA will not enter into a sale contingent on a zone change. We are working hard seeking an appropriate buyer that meets the existing zone, primarily in the Hotel/Resort/Wellness business or Conference/Meeting arena or Film Production. The Town has plans to build a new Town Hall at their existing location. We have suggested moving Town Hall and external offices to HNA. The Town could utilize half of the building and the other half could be used for an income generating business. It's critical for us to bring appropriate investors to the table. If you have any connections or suggestions on whom we can introduce to HNA, please contact us immediately at carolbaxter7@gmail.com.