SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ – The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee has reported favorably on Senate Bill No. 3989, introducing key amendments to establish the “Boardwalk Preservation Fund.” This fund is aimed at providing grants to counties and municipalities for construction, maintenance, reconstruction, and repair of boardwalks, including related ancillary or appurtenant structures.
The bill has since been signed in to law by Governor Phil Murphy.
The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will be responsible for developing the application process and criteria for counties and municipalities to qualify for these grants. The information will be disseminated to coastal counties and municipalities, and the DCA will review applications to determine eligibility.
The key amendments to the bill include:
- Removing the requirement that the grants be matching. Instead, a county, municipal, or joint contribution must be at least five percent of the project cost, except for certain applicants with the highest 50 distress scores on the 2020 Municipal Revitalization Index.
- Including projects that involve ancillary or appurtenant structures.
- Removing administration by the Division of Housing and Community Resources.
- Requiring that award criteria include a preference for applicants who provide a contribution or expenditure greater than five percent of project costs.
The bill appropriates $100 million from the “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021” for the administration of the “Boardwalk Preservation Fund” and the awarding of grant funding.
The goal of the Boardwalk Preservation Fund is to support local infrastructure projects that maintain and enhance New Jersey’s iconic boardwalks. It recognizes the importance of boardwalks as vital economic and cultural landmarks in coastal communities.
With the favorable report from the Senate committee, the bill will move forward in the legislative process, signifying an important step in preserving and revitalizing New Jersey’s beloved boardwalks.