Carteret receives federal grant for façade, exterior improvements to downtown commercial buildings

United States fifty dollar bill with the United States Capitol building close up

The borough of Carteret said it will receive $102,626 via a federal Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, to be used to create a matching fund for façade and exterior improvements to downtown commercial buildings along Washington and Roosevelt avenues.

“The matching grant program will provide for commercial property exterior and façade improvements, particularly in regard to ADA accessibility, such as ramps, as well as abatement of asbestos hazards, lead-based paint hazard evaluation and reduction, and correction of code violations,” Mayor Daniel Reiman announced. “The grant will be awarded in $25,000 increments to offset the cost of projects with a minimum of $50,000 worth of CDBG-eligible improvements and a total project cost of $100,000 or more.”

Commercial businesses along Washington and Roosevelt avenues may apply for and obtain more information about the façade/exterior matching grant by contacting the Economic Development Office.

Administered by HUD, the Community Development Block Grant provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.

Previously the borough’s received a Community Development Block Grant of $101,626 which it is using to aid in the expansion of the Riverwalk to the north of Waterfront Park & Veterans Pier along the former DuPont site, which soon will be home to a movie studio, hotel, restaurants and retail.

Construction on the Northern Riverwalk began April 10.

The 2021-22 block grant Carteret received helped pay for streetscapes around the URSB Carteret Performing Arts Center to provide an aesthetic musical design to the crosswalks, as well as ADA-compliant accessibility to the sidewalks.

Updates about the commercial building façade/exterior matching grant will be available at Carteret.net or by following @MyCarteret on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.