The City of Somers Point has been awarded several grants that will fund various new projects to improve the quality of life in the community.
“We are taking an aggressive approach to looking for, and submitting applications for grants that help to improve our city’s infrastructure and amenities to enhance the quality of life for Somers Point residents and also help to attract visitors to the city,” said Mayor Jack Glasser. “Our city is immensely grateful for the grants we have received that will empower our city’s growth and development. They truly represent a commitment to a better future for our community.”
The following are recently completed projects that were funded by grants:
Numerous Bike Path enhancements were made possible by a $165,000 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement grant from NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT). With work completed just last month, the enhancements include three bike repair stations, the replacement of 14 benches, new bike racks near Dawes Avenue School, three bicycle and pedestrian counters, and the installation of a rectangular rapid flashing beacon at the bike path intersection with Ocean Heights Avenue to improve safety when bicyclists and pedestrians cross.
Work was completed just in time for the busy summer season on a project to replace the lights on Bay Avenue. Thanks to a $154,000 Community Capital Needs grant from the NJ Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA), existing decorative lights on Bay Avenue from Goll Avenue to New Jersey Avenue were replaced with new conduits, poles, and LED fixtures.
The city used a portion of a $125,000 NJDCA Neighborhood Preservation Program grant to improve accessibility to the beach and the free summer beach concerts at William Morrow Beach. The city purchased and installed a firm roll-out beach-access mat to create a safe, ADA-compliant beach access walkway on Bay Avenue between Higbee and New Jersey avenues.
Construction work is expected to begin soon for several more grant-funded projects in Somers Point, including the following:
Utilizing a $145,870 FEMA grant, the city is preparing a bayfront neighborhood flood mitigation plan. The scope of work includes a topographic survey, video inspection and hydraulic analysis of the existing storm sewer system along Bay Avenue from the outfall to Shore Road, and conceptual engineering site plans and design recommendations for improvements. The engineering design will include all necessary analysis and reports to support the future flood mitigation project.
The city has received a $350,000 grant from the NJDOT for a project to improve safety along Ocean Avenue from Steelman to Atlantic avenues. The project includes the installation of new curbs and sidewalks and the repaving of Ocean Avenue. The NJDOT has approved the city’s plans and specs. Bids are expected to be received by mid-October with construction anticipated to start at the end of the month.
A $500,000 NJDOT grant will cover the costs of repaving Colwick Drive, Exton Road, and Devon Road. The NJDOT has approved plans for the project, which also includes drainage improvements and concrete repairs. Bids are expected to be received by mid-October with construction anticipated to start at the end of the month.
The largest of these recent grants to be received by the City of Somers Point is an $861,000 Safe Streets to Transit grant from the NJDOT for pedestrian safety improvements to Shore Road from Ocean Heights to Goll Avenue. The city hosted a public forum on the project at City Hall on September 14. The NJDOT’s Safe Streets to Transit program utilizes Transportation Trust Fund dollars to improve safety and accessibility for mass transit riders in the vicinity of transit facilities. These funds serve to advance transportation initiatives without burdening local property taxpayers.
The city applied for the NJDOT Safe Streets to Transit funding last year and city officials recently learned of the award and specific dollar amount. The project is now in a preliminary design phase in consultation with Atlantic County planners and all suggestions from the September 14 hearing will be considered in the design. Work will include new ADA-compliant handicap ramps at intersections, new crosswalks, and installation of a rectangular rapid flashing beacon at key intersections. Final design is anticipated to be completed in early 2024 with bidding in early spring 2024 and construction completed before Memorial Day.
Somers Point has a Grant Steering Committee comprised of the City Administrator, members of City Council, the city’s grant writer (Rutala Associates), and engineer (Kates Schneider Engineering). The Grant Steering Committee meets periodically to evaluate the City’s infrastructure needs and to identify potential grants that can help meet those needs. Once the grant money is received, actions are taken to spend the money to accomplish what the committee has set forth.
The City of Somers Point, with its slogan, The Shore Starts Here, offers plenty of reasons to visit with its rich mix of beach concerts, farmer’s markets, festivals, and activities. Once visitors come for these events, the city’s thriving shopping, restaurant, and nightlife scene offers visitors lots of reasons to stay. To learn more about what’s happening in Somers Point, visit somerspointgov.org.
