Merry Christmas, Ventnor!
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy Dec. 16 announced the city would receive a $960,000 grant to complete a streetscape improvement project on Dorset Avenue in the Ventnor Heights Commercial District.
The award was one of 43 grants awarded to New Jersey municipalities through the 2025 Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program, a federal program administered locally through the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization. The program provides federal funds for non-traditional surface transportation projects that strengthen the cultural, aesthetic and environmental aspects of the nation’s transportation system, such as those benefiting pedestrians, bicyclists, create safe routes to schools and more.
Atlantic City received $1.5 million for streetscape improvements on Pacific Avenue.
According to city officials, the competitive grant will be used to improve the “Gateway to Ventnor,” between the Dorset Avenue bridge and Monmouth Avenue, and Calvert Avenue to Balfour Avenue.
The project on Dorset Avenue, a county roadway, includes new sidewalks, curbs and gutters, driveway aprons, streetlights, trees and landscape plants, flexible bollards, traffic signage, benches and bicycle racks to create a more walkable and bike-friendly environment.
“We would like to sincerely thank Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson and Atlantic County for their partnership and cooperation on this shared roadway, as well as their continued support for future bridge aesthetic renovations. This type of intergovernmental collaboration allows us to deliver meaningful, visible improvements to our community,” the post stated.
“The grant represents a major investment in our city's infrastructure and will have considerable positive effects on our Public Works Department and the community as a whole,” Commissioner of Public Works Lance Landgraf said.
The grant will allow the city to make substantial improvements in the Ventnor Heights Commercial District that will beautify the area and increase property values for local businesses, without placing additional burden on the municipal budget, he said.
“The improvements will also reduce maintenance concerns and allow our crews to focus resources on other areas of need throughout the city,” he said.
Although funding has been secured, the design process has yet to begin.
Mayor Tim Kriebel commended grant consultant James Rutala and city engineer Ed Stinson, for their work on the application.
Stinson and a yet-to-be-hired company will design the project with input from community stakeholders.
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