Morristown lands $1.5M in grants for MLK, Foote’s Pond projects

Religious statue at Loyola Jesuit Center, which is selling some land. Photo: Loyola website
Religious statue at Loyola Jesuit Center, which is selling some land. Photo: Loyola website
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Morristown has landed $1.5 million in grants for pedestrian safety- and open space projects, the town announced on Monday.

The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority Board  has approved $1 million, as part of the Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation Alternatives Program, for a “Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade Transit Connection.”

Work is scheduled to include:

  • Improving the Martin Luther King Avenue / Spring Street intersection.
  • Improving the pedestrian route along Spring Street and Water Streets.
  • Erecting signage directing pedestrian and bicycle traffic towards the Morristown Green, the business district and Morristown train station. 
  • Streetscape and sidewalk improvements and lighting and traffic calming measures meant to improve walkability and bicycle friendliness in downtown Morristown.
A young bald eagle visited Foote's Pond in the fall of 2015. Photo by Keith Survell.
A young bald eagle visited Foote’s Pond in the fall of 2015. Photo by Keith Survell.

Separately, Morristown is getting a $500,000 Green Acres matching grant, authorized by the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Garden State Preservation Trust, towards the town’s acquisition of an 11-acre James Street lot owned by the Loyola House of Retreats.

The Loyola property adjoins the town’s Foote’s Pond, and its acquisition will create nearly 25 acres of preserved open space for the public, according to the town.

“These grants, both awarded to Morristown on separate merits, will be put into great use to help accommodate and enhance our residents’ quality of life,” Mayor Tim Dougherty said in a statement.

“I am excited to see both of these projects move forward.”

 

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