By: Najla Alexander
Carteret officials announced that the Borough continues to greatly improve its waterfront, with many new projects coming to fruition.
The Honorable Mayor Daniel J. Reiman stated that more than $4 million in improvements are underway at Waterfront Park, partially paid with $1,573,000 in county funding.
Officials said they include:
· A Pier Pavilion, a three-season outdoor tiki bar and snack stand on the southern end of Veteran’s Pier next to the Municipal Marina in a spot that doesn’t conflict with local fishing areas
· A new pre-fabricated restroom building to replace the existing tank restroom, including water, electric, and sanitary sewer connections
· Expansion of the picnic areas and walkways
· 24-by-32-foot band stage pad, including new electric service
· Recreation and landscaping improvements, including new surfaces for the miniature golf course and putting green
Park improvements will be done by Elizabeth-based Arco Construction Group. Work is expected to be completed by March 30, Arco said.
Funding includes a $1.5 million Middlesex County Open Space Grant and a $73,000 Local Recreation Improvement Grant from the state Department of Community Affairs, officials said
Officials say additional funds came from the Borough of Carteret Open Space Trust and the 2024 Municipal Capital Budget.
“My administration has worked to turn Carteret’s coastline into a pristine destination from what once was an environmental nightmare abandoned by industry,” Mayor Daniel J. Reiman said.
“We went after those corporate polluters to provide the first public access to the Arthur Kill in 100 years. We will continue to improve the waterfront, crafting it into the top-notch public destination and recreational area it deserves to be.”
Authorities say near future waterfront improvements include:
· A 25-foot mobile kitchen in Waterfront Park that soon will go out to bid and will serve food and beverages from spring to fall, particularly at such popular events as the Carteret Independence Day, Carteret Latin Fest, and the weekly summer-long Concerts by the Bay series
· A 2.5-mile Riverwalk to the north and south of Waterfront Park starting at Noes Creek, continuing to the border of Port Reading, and currently under construction
Additionally, the Borough is in the planning stages of adding an abandoned rail line that runs parallel to Peter J. Sica Highway and the waterfront to make a 5-mile loop around Waterfront Park, Mayor Reiman said.
Last year, the state Department of Transportation awarded the Borough a $1.5 million grant for this Carteret Waterfront Multi-Use Pathway Project, officials stated.
“In essence, we would create this five-mile Rails to Trails-to-boardwalk concept,” the Mayor said. “We’re grateful to NJDOT for their support of our continued efforts to turn our former ‘chemical coastline’ into a recreational destination, not only with the forthcoming Riverwalk but also Waterfront Park, Veteran’s Pier, and a marina.”
According to officials, more than $1 billion in redevelopment is planned for the waterfront, including the Carteret Intermodal Transportation Building, the forthcoming $38 million hub of the highly anticipated Carteret Ferry Service that also will offer NJ Transit bus and free jitney services; a movie studio with a hotel, restaurants, retail, office space, parking garage, and rooftop amenities; river-view residential, and an urban beach with an amphitheater.
A new ferry access road, Waterfront Boulevard, is under construction, and Lighthouse Way, the road alongside Waterfront Park, is being extended, officials say.
The road construction is being paid for with a $5.4 million competitive NJDOT grant, authorities say.