The State announced that the City of Pleasantville has been awarded a $555,000 Transit Village Grant and a $263,000 Safe Route to Transit Grant.
Gov. Murphy commented, “In order to maximize the impact of our considerable public transportation upgrades, we must ensure that our transit facilities are linked not just to economically thriving neighborhoods, but to streets that bring our community members to their destination reliably and efficiently. For many New Jerseyans, commutes or daily travels do not begin and end at the transit stop. That is why my administration is doubling down on its efforts to promote active transportation alternatives and ensure that – whether you are a pedestrian or cyclist – you can safely and affordably access our nation-leading public transportation network.”
The Transit Village Grant will fund the Green Street Streetscaping Project, which is the fourth phase of a comprehensive plan to improve economic conditions in Downtown Pleasantville. The preceding three phases were partially funded by NJDOT and include: Phase 1 – Main Street, north of the Black Horse Pike; Phase 2 – Main Street, south of the Black Horse Pike; and Phase 3 – Old Turnpike.
This Green Street Streetscaping Project will integrate the identical design scheme and will be very visible to visitors and residents in Downtown Pleasantville. This project will extend on Green Street and Lennox Avenue, 925 feet to the east of Main Street from Main Street to Franklin Street to provide enhancements for parking, pedestrian, and vehicle access to Downtown Pleasantville.
The Safe Route to Transit Grant will fund installation of LED light fixtures on the Pleasantville Bike Path from Decatur Avenue to Milan Avenue. This is the only portion of the thirteen-mile bike path that runs from Pleasantville to Ocean City.
Mayor Judy Ward stated, “We thank the State for supporting these very important projects. These projects will improve safety and the quality of life in Pleasantville.”
Downtown Pleasantville has won designation by the Neighborhood Preservation Program, a New Jersey Department of Community Affairs program which provides funding for visible improvements like murals, lighting improvements, flowerpots, and banners. Both the Green Street Streetscaping Project and the bike path lighting were identified by the community as priorities. Rutala Associates, a local planning firm, completed the grant applications and the Neighborhood Preservation Plan.
