New Jersey Allocates $100 Million for Boardwalk Repairs and Constructions
Seaside living and entertainment became popular in America in the 19th century, with the Jersey Shore coastal region becoming an iconic region for seaside living and entertainment, drawing millions from the East Coast and beyond.
Built in 1870 to initially prevent beach hotel guests from carrying sand into the lobby, Atlantic City Boardwalk is the first boardwalk in the United States. It runs 5 miles long, including a 2.7-mile extension into neighboring Ventnor City. In addition to being the oldest one in America, the Atlantic City Boardwalk is also one of the largest in the world. It includes casinos, entertainment, and attractions. But the signs of old age show, and Atlantic City’s, in addition to many other boardwalks in the area, urgently need repair.
The Atlantic City Boardwalk is not only a romantic cultural venue, but it is also a powerful economic driving force, as it provides access and foot traffic to the city’s nine casinos. Some casinos, including Bally’s, Caesars, Hard Rock, Ocean Casino, Resorts Casino Hotel, and Tropicana, depend on boardwalks for access.
On Friday, February 23, New Jersey state officials chose 18 towns within the Jersey Shore region that will benefit from a $100 million budget that will be used to carry out repairs, expansions, and reconstructions of their boardwalks and public seafront areas. The funds come from the Federal COVID Recovery Funds under the American Rescue Act.
Approving the budget, NJ Governor Phil Murphy said: “So many of us have created memories with family and friends at the boardwalks of the New Jersey Shore,” he added, “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.”
Atlantic City and Ashbury Park, which are home to NJ’s most famous boardwalks, will receive $20 million each in renovation budgets.
Other resort towns that will receive funds (in $million) include North Wildwood: 10.2, Wildwood: 8.27, Ventnor: 7.1, Cape May: 6.7, Ocean City and Seaside Heights: 4.8 each, Bradley Beach 4.3, Long Branch 3.2, Carteret: 2.4, Sea Isle City: 2, Belmar: 1.5, Brigantine: 1.2, Wildwood Crest: 1.1, Toms River: 1, Keyport: 0.8, and Berkeley Township: 0.448.
Jacquelyn Suarez, Acting Commissioner of New Jersey’s Division of Community Affairs, said that although the boardwalks are an important economic driver and cultural asset, “they are also incredibly expensive for local governments to maintain, repair, and strengthen.”
