This week, Governor Whitman and NJDOT announced $1.25m in awards under the state’s "Local Aid to Centers" program. Nine municipalities received awards, mainly for streetscape and city parks enhancements.

The program is designed to foster enhancement of "centers" and "communities of place" consistent with NJ’s State Plan, and as distinguished from land-eating, car-spawning sprawl development.

However, the program is far too small to have a significant impact on land use trends at the state level. Demand for the funding exceeds grant awards considerably. Even considering the small size of the available pot, NJDOT received $5 million worth of project proposals from 29 municipalities. This experience is consistent with trends seen with bike and pedestrian project funds offered by DOT’s Local Aid office.