State, U.S. aboard with funding for Egg Harbor City station
By ROB SPAHR Staff Writer, 609-272-7283 (Published: Tuesday, April 07, 2009) EGG HARBOR CITY - All roads lead to Egg Harbor City - at least that is the theory at which the state and federal governments are throwing big money. The city has received more than $600,000 in state and federal funding in recent weeks that will be used to construct a regional transportation hub at the site of the existing train station on Atlantic Avenue. First, U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd, secured a $237,500 federal earmark through the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill. Then the state Department of Community Affairs followed by approving the city for a $365,000 grant through its Small Cities program to help fund the project, which will add a parking lot, bus cutouts, landscaping improvements and possibly train station upgrades. LoBiondo said the transit hub is a key component of the city's ongoing revitalization efforts but also could jump-start the entire region's economy. "I was pleased to secure this federal funding that will not only help to interconnect Egg Harbor City's transportation network with the community it serves but also expand the economic potential by attracting new businesses to the region," LoBiondo wrote in an e-mail. Chris Donnelly, a spokesman for the DCA, said the DCA grant was a result of Gov. Jon S. Corzine's encouragement of the investment in, and revitalization of, New Jersey's communities to stimulate economic and community development. "The Small Cities program helps to create these types of opportunities, and Egg Harbor City's efforts to establish an intermodal transit hub fit perfectly into DCA's criteria," Donnelly wrote in an e-mail. Officials say the city's relative closeness to the Atlantic City Rail Line, the White Horse Pike, Route 50, a soon-to-be completed full interchange on the Atlantic City Expressway, the Black Horse Pike and the Garden State Parkway, as well as its closeness to Philadelphia and Atlantic City, makes it an ideal location for such a project. "It is a textbook example of smart growth," Gordon Dahl, the executive director of the South Jersey Economic Development District, said of the project. Dahl said several other planned projects in the city, such as the construction of two new schools and the revitalization of the city's downtown, are already making the city more attractive to potential homebuyers and commercial investors. The transportation hub will guarantee that those commuters have easy access to quality transportation alternatives, he said. "This is a tremendous opportunity to provide an already well-rounded community with a chance to use its infrastructure to its potential and grow in a productive way," Dahl said. The train station and bus stop are already have heavy traffick, City Administrator Tom Henshaw said, but they are ill-equipped to handle increasing volume demands. An insufficient amount of parking spaces forces parking onto side streets, and there is no shelter for those waiting for buses. "One aspect of what we're trying to do is to create more of a safe atmosphere to make (the area around the site) more accommodating for the people who use it," Henshaw said. Plans for the new parking lot call for the addition of 70 to 80 spaces. Mayor Joseph Kuehner Jr. said the project also has generated support from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, NJ Transit and the state Department of Transportation. And while the current state and federal funding will likely make the Atlantic Avenue site much more convenient to commuters, Kuehner said City Council's goals are set even higher. "We can foresee a two- or three-level parking garage being built where the planned parking lot will go. And we can see the train station itself being expanded and enclosed, so we could put in a newsstand or coffee shop," he said. "That may be years down the road, but we're trying to think ahead." E-mail Robert Spahr:RSpahr@pressofac.comThis is funding that could have come to Hammonton, but certain individuals in town labeled this as a bad project and turned public sentiment against it. They are major supporters of Hammonton First. We could have developed a transportation corridor leading to the downtown, but now the funding has gone to Egg Harbor.
Maybe if Jim Donio didn't go aroud misrepresenting this program we could have received these funds. HF bush league candidates should of spent less time giving out pies and rotten vegetables. The Mayor pulled us out of the Atlantic county league of municipalities, again a rokie mistake which left us out of the county monies
Frank LoBiondo is one of the best representatives we have looking out for Hammonton. I agree we should apply for some of this aid like Egg Harbor City. The vegetables were not really that great but the blueberry pie was pretty good.
Why didn't Curcio help get Hammonton grants? Maybe it is time to vote for Sam Mento. Is this another situation like Curcio, his brother-and-law, and the hospital?
We need better public transportation in Hammonton especially for seniors. Our public transportation doesn't stop at all the businesses on the WHP. The bus didn't even stop at the hospital or by medical offices like 777 and Agusta. Imagine if it did, maybe more seniors would have gone to Kessler. Instead Town Council practically even had it so that bus barely even stops downtown itself.
We need better public transportation in Hammonton especially for seniors. Our public transportation doesn't stop at all the businesses on the WHP. The bus didn't even stop at the hospital or by medical offices like 777 and Agusta. Imagine if it did, maybe more seniors would have gone to Kessler. Instead Town Council practically even had it so that bus barely even stops downtown itself.
I meant: It doesn't stop East of Route 205/54 where most businesses are.
It looks like Rich Jacobus is working overtime with his North Jersey style slim tactics. I wish he would run for office because he would not get elected DOG CATCHER. The democrats can have this clown and his money. The past GOP leader did the right thing when he kicked this clown out of the Republican club.
Every person this guy has endorsed since he moved into Hammonton has lost badly because his bitter attack letter and blogging are not well received by Hammontonians. Move back to north jersey.
It looks like Rich Jacobus is working overtime with his North Jersey style slim tactics. I wish he would run for office because he would not get elected DOG CATCHER. The democrats can have this clown and his money. The past GOP leader did the right thing when he kicked this clown out of the Republican club.
Every person this guy has endorsed since he moved into Hammonton has lost badly because his bitter attack letter and blogging are not well received by Hammontonians. Move back to north jersey.
As much as I don't like Jacobus, at least he's not afraid to speak out against Hammonton First. If our elected officials would do this effectively, then Hammonton First would be exposed for what they are and they would be no more.
