Funding Awarded for Wildwood Project to Connect Boardwalk with Downtown

The city of Wildwood announced Tuesday that it has secured $2.3 million in state funding to complete a “truly transformational” project that will connect the Boardwalk and the Pacific Avenue dining, retail and entertainment district.

The city and the Wildwood Business Improvement District have been planning and collaborating for years on the Boardwalk-Pacific Avenue Pedestrian Connector project to improve accessibility and pedestrian safety in the heart of the resort.

Now, the project is getting a boost with the help of a $2.3 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation to fully fund construction.

“The New Jersey Department of Transportation is committed to investing in projects that make our communities safer and more accessible for everyone,” NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor said in a news release. “This grant will provide ADA-compliant ramps, improve lighting, and enhance the sidewalks leading to Wildwood’s Boardwalk, making an already popular destination even more desirable for visitors.”

In addition to the NJDOT funding, an extra $66,000 was awarded through USDA Rural Development grants, secured by Triad Associates. The Wildwood Business Improvement District also contributed by matching $22,500 in funding and covering more than $100,000 in application fees. Altogether, the project received approximately $2.4 million in combined state and federal support, the city announced.

“This project is truly transformational,” said Mike Zumpino, CEO of Triad Associates, the grant writer. “It will safely connect hundreds of thousands of visitors traveling through this vital corridor. We’re proud to have helped the city and WBID secure this grant funding, which by leveraging state construction and federal planning/design dollars, saves local taxpayers.”

A construction schedule wasn’t immediately released.

    The Boardwalk will have a direct pedestrian link to the Pacific Avenue dining, retail and entertainment district. (Photo courtesy of the Wildwoods)
  

The project will create a safe, welcoming and fully ADA-compliant pedestrian corridor linking the Boardwalk to Pacific Avenue's dining, retail, and entertainment district at Byrne Plaza – a key community gathering space, according to the release.

Planned improvements include new decorative sidewalks, ADA curb ramps, updated lighting, enhanced landscaping, stormwater drainage, and new street furniture and signage to boost both safety and the overall visitor experience.

“I’ve lived here long enough to remember when Pacific Avenue was the heartbeat of Wildwood’s music and nightlife scene. Reconnecting our Boardwalk to the downtown has been a longtime goal of mine. This project is a critical step in bringing energy and opportunity back to the Avenue in conjunction with the effects of the Pacific Avenue Redevelopment Project,” Mayor Ernie Troiano, Jr. said.

Gov. Phil Murphy noted that the connector project is an example of how the state is committed to making long-term investments that will improve the economic health of the Jersey Shore communities and their iconic boardwalks.

“Making this key corridor safer and more accessible for all will support the longevity and strength of Wildwood and ensure that residents and visitors alike can better connect to some of the local businesses that help make it a prized destination,” the governor said in the release.

John Donio, president of the Wildwood Business Improvement District, highlighted the economic and strategic impact of the connector.

“This project is a major win for Wildwood’s business district. Creating a safe, welcoming pedestrian corridor between Byrne Plaza and the Boardwalk will drive foot traffic, support local businesses, and elevate the visitor experience across the island,” Donio said.

    For years, Wildwood and the Wildwood Business Improvement District have been planning and collaborating on the corridor project.