Streetscape Improvement Project

New sidewalks and curbs, concrete-pavered crosswalks and decorative turn-of-the-century style lampposts adorn the streetscapes of the Morristown Partnership's first two major beautification projects along Washington and Morris Streets. The current project in front of the train station on Morris Street including Blachley Place, the Hiker Monument and a portion of Elm Street is nearing completion. Phase II, scheduled for early fall, will continue along Morris Street up to the Green and feature similar streetscape elements.

Funding For These Projects

Funding for these projects, as well as the one on Washington Street, is provided by the Morristown Partnership. The Partnership, which is primarily funded by a special assessment on commercial property and business owners within its boundaries, leverages these limited dollars to acquire grants. As of the end of last year, the Partnership has been awarded more than $1.1 million in grants from the New Jersey Department of Transportation specifically for these major capital improvements. That is nearly two- and one-half year's worth of the special assessment.

Project Goals

It is the goal of the Morristown Partnership to continue improvement projects throughout the business district over the next several years, not simply for aesthetics, but for practical purposes as well. These streetscape beautification projects make Morristown more pedestrian-friendly by providing better lighting (more pedestrian scale) and better defined crosswalks. In addition, these efforts have helped to inspire individual property owners to upgrade and improve their buildings or land. In fact, New Jersey Transit kicked-off the physical improvements on Morris Street with a million-dollar renovation of the train station and surrounding environ.

Continuing To Support These Project

To continue these projects, the Morristown Partnership needs help. Not all the grants applied for are received, and the special assessment is a fixed amount. The more additional funds the Partnership raises, the more expeditiously it can execute improvement projects. Individuals, businesses and civic organizations are invited to adopt-a-light along any of the newly constructed streetscapes. The Partnership began this innovative program with its first beautification project on Washington Street. Most of those 40 street lamps were sold, but a few remain. The newest lampposts on Morris Street, approximately 60, have recently been installed and are now available for sponsorship.

How to Participate

Interested participants can choose a level of contribution that allows for their name or that of a designee to be cast onto either a shared or dedicated bronze plaque that is installed on the lamppost of their choice. Sponsorship ranges from $500 (for a listing with two other names) to $1,500 (single name plaque).

For more information or to receive an Adopt-A-Light brochure by mail, call the Morristown Partnership at (973) 455-1133.