A sizable crowd gathered to watch the Ventnor Boardwalk Rebuild ribbon cutting. Phase #1 of project is complete.
Ventnor’s Boardwalk reconstruction is primarily fueled by a multi-million dollar state grant, marking one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the city’s recent history.
See ribbon cutting video. APRIL 29, 2026.
Primary Funding Source: Boardwalk Preservation Fund
The cornerstone of the funding is a $7.11 million grant awarded through the New Jersey Boardwalk Preservation Fund.
- Origin: This was part of a $100 million statewide initiative established by Governor Phil Murphy in 2023.
- Federal Backing: The money originates from federal American Rescue Plan, Coronavirus Recovery Funds.
- Competition: Ventnor was one of 18 shore municipalities selected from dozens of applicants.
Total Project Cost & City Contribution
While grant covers majority of current work, it doesn’t cover entire bill:
- Total cost for reconstruction (Jackson Ave to Cambridge Ave) is approximately $10.9 million.
- Ventnor taxpayers covering remaining $3.8 million through municipal financing and capital improvement funds.
- Total cost to replace the entire 1.7-mile boardwalk is estimated at $26 million.
- Ventnor City will apply for additional grants to fund rebuild of boardwalk from Ventnor Fishing Pier to Margate border in the coming years.
Current Progress (as of April 2026)
Funding utilized two-phase approach to minimize disruption during summer season:
- Phase 1 (Cambridge to Suffolk Ave): Began in November 2025. Ribbon cutting on APRIL 29, 2026. This phase included total demolition, new pilings, railings, pavilions and high-density Ipe wood decking.
- Phase 2 (Suffolk to Jackson Ave): Scheduled to begin after Labor Day 2026.
The rebuild also includes modernized lighting with more frequent, shorter poles to reduce “light spill” into second-story homes, and updated ADA-compliant ramps to improve accessibility.
No word yet on installation of security cameras and plan to enforce new E-bike law.
Thank you to the commissioners, who are making it a priority to make Ventnor beautiful. Great job!
Thank you to the Ventnor government, who are making it a priority to make Ventnor beautiful.
Thank you to all involved in helping to make improvements to the Ventnor boardwalk. It looks great. Can’t wait to ride my bike and also for the completion all the way to Jackson Ave.
I would like to commend all those who were responsible for the successful completion of this project. In particular, i would like to commend grantwriter Jim Rutala and his firm for successfully securing the funds to take on the project, to the city officials responsible for the selection of Schiavone Construction Co., llc. and finally, to the constrction team itself, the foremen and the various subcontractors who were out there this past fall, winter and spring through one of the most frigid off-srasons we’ve endured in Ventnor in recent years and completing this project in a professional manner, with as little disruption to neighbors’ daily lives as possible, and completed all of this ahead of schedule. The finished product is absolutely terrific and i expect Phase 2 will go just as smoothly, and look forward to the day when the entire nearly two-mile stretch of boards is redone for all the redidents and visitors to Ventnor.
I walk these boards all the time. Walked the new boards yesterday, and you can immediately notice how it’s much sturdier/no bend the new boards are.
Also, you aren’t “given a jump”, by someone on a bike, coming-up behind you, which rattles the loose boards.