Stone Harbor Receives $400,000 Development Grant

STONE HARBOR – The Borough of Stone Harbor has successfully obtained a $400,000 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant for various improvements at the Municipal Complex, Public Works facility, and the Volunteer Fire Department. The grant funding will be used to improve access and use of these buildings for handicapped individuals.
“We are absolutely thrilled at this significant grant provided by the Christie administration”, said Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters. “This grant will help us improve access and use of these important public buildings for many years to come”.
The grant award was made by Richard Constable III, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs on Nov. 25.
In July, 2013 Remington Vernick Engineers completed a comprehensive evaluation of Stone Harbor’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Municipal Complex, Public Works Facility, and Fire Department were all evaluated for possible improvements. All three buildings met various criteria mandated by the ADA, while improvements at all three buildings were also discovered.
Improvements that will be financed by the grant inside the Municipal Complex include ADA-compliant men’s and women’s restrooms on the first and second floor, along with a court transaction counter and a restroom inside the police building. The Stone Harbor Fire Department is in need of an elevator that will improve access to the second floor of the building. The Public Works Facility requires improvements to a bathroom.
The Borough of Stone Harbor will put the various improvements out to bid with a goal of awarding the contract and making the improvements at all three buildings during 2014.