By John Burton
HIGHLANDS – The borough’s business district, still struggling to recover from the effects of Sandy, is shortly going to get a much-needed makeover as officials plan to spend $1.5 million in state money for work to the area.
A long anticipated streetscape project is planned to commence in the coming weeks for portions of Bay Avenue, what amounts to the community’s Main Street, and small sections of side streets, said Borough Councilman Douglas Card and Carla Cefalo-Braswell, president of the Highlands Business Partnership, the borough’s business improvement district (BID)
“It’s a long time in coming,” acknowledged Card.
Highlands was one of four New Jersey communities that had been awarded a grant last year under the state Economic Development Authority’s Neighborhood and Community Revitalization program, receiving the maximum under the program, $1.5 million, according to Braswell.
The other communities to get money were Asbury Park, Keansburg and Sea Isle City.
Under provisions of the grant, officials would have to spend the money by the end of the year.
The program is intended to support “Main Street revitalization projects,” Braswell said, to establish “walk-able communities.”
And this project will allow the borough to construct new sidewalks and curbs; ensure intersections are compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act; install bicycle racks, benches and pedestrian height decorative streetlights.
Another important component of the project, according to Card, will be elevating some of the heavily used pedestrian crosswalks, providing protection from the chronic high tide flooding much of Bay Avenue experiences during storms. “We could really use that,” Card said.
Braswell said the project will include Bay Avenue from Veterans Park to Valley Street and from Washington Street to Water Witch Avenue and a portion of Water Witch to Shore Drive.
This project, Braswell said, “I think it’ll spark some interest in the community,” replacing old and damaged infrastructure, “and creating an overall welcoming appearance,” for a community she believed is continuing to make slow but steady strides in Sandy’s aftermath.
“It’s long overdue,” she contended, given the last streetscape project for the business district was done in 1994.
That
portion of the borough, which sits below sea level, was heavily damaged by Sandy in October 2012 and the collection of independently owned businesses in the largely working class community has struggled to rebound since the storm.
“I don’t kid myself, we’re in trouble here,” Card said, acknowledging the rebuilding efforts have been “very disappointing” and “frustrating.”
