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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2014

Contact:  Lawrence Ragonese (609) 292-2994
Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
Bob Considine (609) 984-1795

CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES APPROVAL OF DISASTER RELIEF
GRANTS FOR HISTORIC PROPERTIES IN 12 COUNTIES 

$11 MILLION EARMARKED FOR HISTORIC SITES DAMAGED BY SUPERSTORM SANDY

(14/P123) TRENTON – The Christie Administration today unveiled a list of historic properties selected for Sandy Disaster Relief Grants for Historic Properties to fund the preservation, stabilization, rehabilitation and repair of New Jersey historic structures that were damaged by the storm, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.

After review by the New Jersey Historic Trust, 37 Sandy-impacted sites were deemed eligible for some $8 million in grants. Sites are located in Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset and Union counties. Major projects include the Hoboken Public Library, Newark Museum, Ventnor City Hall, Acorn Hall in Morristown, and the Romer Shoal Lighthouse near Sandy Hook. 

In addition, grants were approved for two Sandy battered state historic properties: $2 million towards the restoration of the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal at Liberty State Park in Jersey City and $500,000 towards a structure and shoreline protection project at historic East Point Lighthouse in Maurice River Township in Cumberland County. 

“These grants will help finance the vitally important task of preserving and sustaining our state’s heritage, to restore and protect important links to the past that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy,’’ said Commissioner Martin, whose agency oversees the State Historic Preservation Office.

“This restoration work will allow future generations to fully enjoy and treasure these historic sites, which enhance the quality of life for all residents of New Jersey, ’’ added State Historic Preservation Office Administrator Dan Saunders.

For a full list of grant awards, visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/docs/grant-awards.pdf

The federal funding is being provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service for Sandy-impacted properties that are either listed in the National Register of Historic Places or identified as eligible for such a listing. This includes individually listed properties and those contributing to a historic district.

The money was appropriated from the federal Historic Preservation Fund, which is financed by federal Outer Continental Shelf oil lease revenues, not tax dollars. 

Expressions of Interest were accepted from non-profit organizations, county or municipal government, places of public accommodation and religious properties. Sandy Disaster Relief Grants for Historic Properties will fund up to $500,000 to repair historic and archaeological resources impacted by Sandy.
All repairs must be completed consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

The circa 1889 historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal at Liberty State Park was overwhelmed by a massive and damaging tidal surge during Sandy. The $2 million earmarked for the Terminal will be used towards reconstruction of interior and for infrastructure restoration. Visit: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/liberty.html

At the other end of the state, in Delaware Bay, the $500,000 approved for the East Point Lighthouse is a match towards a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ project that will protect the lighthouse and an adjacent archaeological site, and also will create and protect habitat of Horseshoe Crabs and the Red Knots that feed on the crab eggs during the annual Red Knots’ migration. Visit: http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=372

These federal grant funds are paid to applicants on a reimbursement basis, according to the progress of completed work and approval of all work by program staff. No match is required for these grant funds.

The DEP’s State Historic Preservation Office is partnering with the New Jersey Historic Trust, which is an affiliated agency of the state Department of Community Affairs, to administer the Sandy Disaster Relief Grants for Historic Properties. 

The State Historic Preservation Office’s mission is to assist the residents of New Jersey in identifying, preserving, protecting and sustaining New Jersey’s historic and archaeological resources through the implementation of the State’s historic preservation program.

The New Jersey Historic Trust’s mission is to advance historic preservation in New Jersey for the benefit of future generations through education, stewardship and financial investment programs that save our heritage and strengthen our communities.

For information on Sandy Disaster Relief Grants for Historic Properties, visit www.njht.org/resources/sandy

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