$800K DOT Grant Awarded to Centenary for Streetscape Improvements

Centenary College will be receiving an $800,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation (DOT) to assist with a project to enhance the college's sidewalks and streetscape.

Centenary's grant is part of $86.5 million that is being awarded in local aid grants through the NJDOT. Centenary will be contributing $55,000 toward the project and the Hackettstown Free Public Library will contribute $10,000.

“This project, which will commence in 2014, will be a collaboration with the town of Hackettstown,” Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite, Centenary College president, said. “The improvements will be designed to stimulate commerce in the downtown area, encouraging our students to consider 'green' alternatives by using bicycles or walking to Main Street shops and to encourage residents of Hackettstown to walk to Centenary for campus events and the Sitnik Theater. "

The college is hoping to improve the Church Street path to the front entrance on Jefferson Street. New sidewalks will be installed with decorative lights and benches. Drainage improvements will also be completed and bicycle lanes will be created.

Local businesses have already expressed support of the project and the college's grant application.

“These improvements will beautify the town,” Hackettstown Mayor Maria DiGiovanni said. “It will be a pleasure to walk and drive down on Church Street once it has been completed. This is such wonderful news for the town and the College.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the Centenary grant as $80,000.