Courtesy Arterial, LLC/North Beach streetscape design concept.
VENTNOR – The contracts are approved, and the long-awaited streetscape improvement will soon begin in the North Beach commercial district.
The Board of Commissioners Oct. 25 awarded a $1,077,799 contract to Ocean Construction, LLC of Marmora to make streetscape improvements on a three-block stretch of the Atlantic Avenue commercial district, between Weymouth and Surrey avenues. The contract amount includes the base bid and three of four additional alternate bids totaling $155,314.
It was the second round of bidding for the project after the first round produced no bidders. Ocean was the lowest of three bids received on Oct. 4.
The project is being funded with an $800,000 grant from the HUD-funded Stronger NJ Streetscape Revitalization Program that was awarded in May 2017 for communities in the nine New Jersey counties most impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Ventnor was last in the pipeline to receive the funds, which became available only after other projects across the state came in under budget. The remainder of the cost of the project will be funded through capital improvement bonds.
The alternate bids include corner bump outs, landscaping, granite curbs, electric outlets at tree wells and banners identifying the North Beach area. The work does not include a fourth alternate bid for pavers behind the curb line, Commissioner of Public Works Lance Landgraf said.
“The idea was to do a ribbon behind the curb line, but it was a very expensive item. We think we can get the best bang for our buck by keeping concrete,” he said.
The project includes boardwalk-styled wood accents near seating areas and in a recessed section off Weymouth Avenue.
“It was worth putting those additions in there because it will really set the tone for that block,” Commissioner Tim Kriebel said.
Marathon Engineering and Environmental Services designed the project at a cost of $69,925. Design engineers at subcontractor Arteria, LLC met with local business owners to create the plan. The project includes new curbs, sidewalks with brick pavers, streetlights, trees, tree grates, benches, bike racks, and boardwalk accents to enhance the business district.
Landgraf said the city has not yet met with Ocean to develop a timeline for the project.
“Some of the work can be done before it gets cold, but the majority of the work will be done in the spring,” he said.
Customers will have full access to the businesses during construction, but sidewalks in front of businesses will be torn up for a time, he said.
“We’re looking at parking now and may have to close one lane of traffic in each direction while the curbs and sidewalks are being installed,” he said.
The project does not include paving of the roadway.
The contractor will not be permitted to progress to the next block until the sidewalk installation is completed on the previous block, Landgraf said.
Trees will likely be one of the last things to be installed.
“The location of the trees is key,” Landgraf said. “They will be located on the property lines, so the trees do not block the view of the businesses or their signage.”
Dina Engle of Little Rock Films and Studios on the 5200-block of Atlantic Avenue said the new streetscape will be “fabulous” for the district.
“I saw the plans awhile ago and think it will be great for the area and the city. Everything is changing for the positive, from the movie theater a block away to the new streetscape design,” she said.
