Ventnor City has plenty to celebrate this holiday season. Just before Christmas, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced that Ventnor will receive a $960,000 grant to complete a comprehensive streetscape improvement project along Dorset Avenue in the Ventnor Heights Commercial District.
The award was one of just 43 grants statewide through the 2025 Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program, a federal initiative administered locally by the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO). The program supports non-traditional transportation projects that enhance walkability, safety, accessibility, and the overall visual character of community corridors.
📍 The “Gateway to Ventnor”
According to city officials, the project will focus on a key entrance into Ventnor:
- From the Dorset Avenue Bridge to Monmouth Avenue
- From Calvert Avenue to Balfour Avenue
This corridor serves as a first impression for residents and visitors alike, making it a true “Welcome to Ventnor” moment.
🚶‍♂️🚲 What the Project Includes
The Dorset Avenue streetscape project is designed to create a safer, more attractive, and more functional
commercial corridor—supporting both daily life and long-term economic vitality.
- ADA-compliant sidewalks and warning surfaces
- New curbs, gutters, and driveway aprons
- Street lighting and associated utilities
- Benches and bicycle racks
- Tree grates, decking, and new landscaping
- Perennials, ornamental grasses, and trees
- Traffic markings, signage, bumper stops, and flexible bollards
“The grant represents a major investment in our city’s infrastructure and will have considerable
positive effects on our Public Works Department and the community as a whole.”
— Commissioner of Public Works Lance Landgraf
Landgraf added that the improvements will beautify the Ventnor Heights Commercial District while increasing
property values for local businesses—without placing additional burden on the municipal budget.
The project will also reduce long-term maintenance needs, allowing Public Works crews to focus on other
priority areas throughout the city.
🏪 Ventnor Business Association Members on Dorset Avenue
Several Ventnor Business Association (VBA) member businesses listed on VisitVentnor.com
are located along Dorset Avenue and will directly benefit from the streetscape improvements:
- Ventnor Heights Marine
- Ship Shop Bait & Tackle
- Steve’s Barber Shop & Salon 309
- Rain Florist
- Sasscer’s Cheesecakes
- Red Room Café
Improved sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, and pedestrian safety will enhance visibility and
accessibility for customers visiting these locally owned businesses, strengthening the overall
vitality of the district.
🤝 A Collaborative Effort
Because Dorset Avenue is a county roadway, the project required close coordination across multiple levels
of government. City officials expressed sincere appreciation for
Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson and Atlantic County for their continued partnership
and cooperation on this shared corridor, as well as their support for future aesthetic improvements to the
Dorset Avenue Bridge.
Mayor Tim Kriebel also commended grant consultant James Rutala and city engineer
Ed Stinson for their work on the successful application. Stinson and a yet-to-be-selected
design firm will lead the design phase with input from community stakeholders.
🌟 What’s Next
While funding has been secured, the design process has not yet begun. As plans move forward,
residents and business owners can expect opportunities to provide feedback and help shape a
streetscape that reflects the character and pride of Ventnor Heights.
Together with other recent infrastructure investments throughout the city, the Dorset Avenue streetscape
project represents continued momentum—building safer streets, supporting local businesses, and creating
gateways Ventnor can be proud of.
Stay tuned to VisitVentnor.com for updates as this exciting project moves from planning to reality.
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