$100 million allocated for NJ boardwalk improvements

By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer

The Jersey Shore isn’t the Jersey Shore without boardwalks. So the Murphy administration has made a historic investment.

The state has pledged $100 million to 18 Jersey Shore towns for boardwalk repair and reconstruction projects, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and Gov. Phil Murphy announced back in August 2023. Last week, the money came through.

“So many of us have created memories with family and friends at the boardwalks of the Jersey Shore,” Murphy said in a statement. “Our boardwalks have long been a prized destination and we want to keep them that way by helping shore communities repair and maintain these wooden main streets.”

Towns like Ocean City and Long Branch spend millions per year on boardwalk upkeep, and those funds come from either state tourism grants and/or city taxes and income, like beach tags. The state funding will allow for greater leeway in long-term maintenance.

Atlantic City is getting $20 million for its boardwalk improvements, tied with Asbury Park for the largest grants. Funding was prioritized to applicants experiencing financial distress, evaluating projects in municipality distress order.

It was not immediately clear what Atlantic City’s plans are for the funds. Asbury Park is making improvements to its historic Convention Hall, and the addition of two restroom facilities on the boards.

Back in August, Murphy signed the bill at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, alongside Mayor Marty Small, Sr. of Atlantic City. The mayor joked that Murphy “in his heart of hearts wants to give Atlantic City the most money.”

Also in attendance were state legislators (and sponsors of the bill) Sen. Michael Testa, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic; state Sen. Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic; state Sen. William Moen, D-Camden, Gloucester; and Majority Leader and Assemblyman Louis Greenwald, D-Burlington, Camden.

The funds were made available from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and are to be administered by the Division of Disaster Recovery at the DCA, which passed with the budget on June 30, 2023. The grant period was open from mid-August through the end of October 2023.

Eligible projects had to meet at least one of the following criteria: boardwalk construction that adds new boardwalk components, boardwalk maintenance, boardwalk reconstruction, or repair of ancillary or appurtenant structures, the DCA said.

”We recognize that boardwalks are the economic driver for many shore towns and cities. They are also incredibly expensive for local governments to maintain, repair and strengthen,” DCA Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez said in a statement.

“To support this significant state asset, the Murphy administration created the Boardwalk Preservation Fund to ease the financial burden on local governments when improving their boardwalks. We are confident these grant awards will help our boardwalks thrive and continue to inspire and delight visitors for years to come.”

All the grant funds must be earmarked by Dec. 31 and must be spent by the end of 2026, officials said.

Ocean City

Ocean City’s almost $5 million grant will be used to make repairs to the deteriorated substructure near Third Street, improve disaster prevention and hurricane resiliency, and add ADA-compliant ramps along the boards.

“Our Boardwalk is one of the things that make Ocean City unique, and it has been the centerpiece of family vacations for generations,” Mayor Jay Gillian said in a statement. “I’m grateful to the state for investing in this vital part of our economy, and it’s good to know that we’ll be able to continue to keep the boards in great shape while increasing accessibility for all.”

Ventnor

At $7 million, the City of Ventnor was awarded one of the largest grants to support its aging boardwalk.

This project includes total demolition of sections of the existing boardwalk and foundation pile and installation of new treated timber piles spaced at 12 feet, improving strength and resilience of the boards. Like many other recipients, Ventnor will also add ADA-compliant ramps.

Sea Isle City

Even though the town has an oceanfront promenade made of concrete, Sea Isle City will receive about $2 million from the state.

Mayor Leonard Desiderio said Sea Isle plans to help pay for a series of improvements such as decorative lighting, additional handicap-accessible ramps, and generalized reconstruction and the resurfacing of the entire Promenade.

No official word yet on how other South Jersey beach towns will spend their funds, but locals and tourists alike can anticipate solid futures for their favorite summer spots.

Other towns in South Jersey receiving Boardwalk Improvement Funds: