Somers Point Wants Feedback on Neighborhood Preservation Program

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The Bayfront Historic District has an array of activities and events. (visitsomerspoint.com)

Somers Point is seeking feedback from people who live, work, shop and eat in the Bayfront Historic District for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP).

The online survey will help determine the projects and priorities designed to revitalize and rejuvenate the area bounded by New York Avenue, Centre Street, MacArthur Boulevard and the Bay, and boost economic growth.

In October, the city was awarded a five-year NPP designation, which includes an initial $125,000 grant to generate visible, tangible change in the Bayfront Historic District driven by local residents and business owners.

It is anticipated that the Bayfront Historic District will receive up to $125,000 a year for five years to assist with economic and community development.

The online survey is one step toward ensuring residents and business owners have the opportunity to provide valuable input for the NPP Implementation Plan.

The city will create an Implementation Plan that combines significant community engagement, local knowledge and hard data. The resulting plan is an achievable and comprehensive set of projects and programs that address local needs and build on local assets.

The deadline for completing the survey, which is available in multiple languages, is Friday, Dec. 31. Go to www.somerspointgov.org to help the city create a community-driven vision for the future of the Bayfront Historic District.

Somers Point is among 40 communities throughout New Jersey to receive this designation since NPP was revived in 2019 by Gov. Phil Murphy and Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver as part of their plan to create a stronger and fairer New Jersey.

The goal is to increase place, economic, civic and social value. It achieves this by enhancing buildings, streets, and a district’s entire physical realm, by supporting and coordinating small business recovery, growth, and sustainability, and by marketing district events and activities while also engaging local stakeholders in planning and relationship building.