FY 27 Community Project Funding Requests
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman has submitted funding requests for Community Projects in New Jersey's Twelfth Congressional District to the House Appropriations Committee
Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for up to 20 projects in their community for fiscal year 2027. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding.
In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Rep. Watson Coleman has certified that she, her spouse, and her immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects she has requested.
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Complete and Safe Street Project
Project Recipient: City of Trenton
Recipient Address: 319 East State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
Amount Requested: $9,326,583
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for the planning and engineering of new traffic and pedestrian safety signals, improved storm drainage, new ADA compliant pedestrian facilities, and other streetscape improvements. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will address the public safety, health and well-being of the community in a cohesive way and to create streets that are safe and accessible for all users.
Henry J. Austin Health Center Patient Care and Workforce Expansion
Project Recipient: Henry J Austin Health Center, Inc.
Recipient Address: 321 N. Warren Street, Trenton, NJ 08618
Amount Requested: $2,500,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used by a Federally Qualified Health Center (HQHC) that currently serves approximately 25,000 patients, providing primary care, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and care coordination services. This funding would be used to support a comprehensive initiative that strengthens the facilities' infrastructure, modernizes patient access, and expands workforce development. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will address the needs of a health center that serves underserved residents in Mercer County with basic health needs.
Plainfield Public Library Exterior Reconstruction
Project Recipient: Plainfield Public Library
Recipient Address: 800 Park Ave, Plainfield, NJ 07060
Amount Requested: $1,950,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the building’s exterior to ensure the community has access to traditional library services and workforce development services. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will address the needs of a low-income community that relies on the library to access technology sources and workforce development initiatives.
Ewing Senior and Community Center Improvements
Project Recipient: Township of Ewing
Recipient Address: 2 Jake Garzio Drive, Ewing, NJ 08628
Amount Requested: $3,022,605
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for equipment and technology improvements at the Ewing Senior and Community Center. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will allow the community center to serve as a hub for recreation, wellness, education, and social engagement for residents of all ages.
South Brunswick Senior Center Improvement Project
Project Recipient: Township of South Brunswick
Recipient Address: 540 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
Amount Requested: $2,490,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used to reconfigure the open lobby space and provide improvements to the on-site kitchen, waterline, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical services at the South Brunswick Senior Center. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will improve the public safety communications system and create an interoperable emergency response that improves multi-agency coordination and response times.
Bound Brook Memorial Library Renovations Phase II
Project Recipient: Borough of Bound Brook
Recipient Address: 230 Hamilton Street, Bound Brook, NJ 08805
Amount Requested: $1,324,508
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used to complete ADA accessibility upgrades and interior improvements to the local library. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will ensure the safety and accessibility of library to the community.
Trenton Workforce Training Center and Community Design Hub
Project Recipient: Kean University
Recipient Address: 1000 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083
Amount Requested: $1,149,500
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used to establish a workforce training center and community hub within a renovated city-owned industrial building in Trenton, New Jersey, to advance economic development and revitalization in the area. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will address unemployment and poverty within the City of Trenton.
East Seventh & Crescent/Watchung Intersection Improvements
Project Recipient: County of Union
Recipient Address: 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth NJ 07202
Amount Requested: $1,360,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding will help design and construct improvements to a major multi-leg intersection for vehicle and pedestrian safety. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will address vehicle and pedestrian safety concerns and upgrade traffic signaling that has not been upgraded since the 1950s.
Spotswood Borough Police Department Communications System Moderinzation
Project Recipient: Spotswood Borough
Recipient Address: 77 Summerhill Road, Spotswood, NJ 08884
Amount Requested: $1,017,434
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used to modernize emergency radio communications used by the Spotswood Borough Police Department and other municipal first responders. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will improve communication between emergency personnel when responding to accidents, medical emergencies, fires, and other incidents that require coordinated action.
Cherry Valley to Skillman Village Wastewater Treatment Plant Consoildation
Project Recipient: Montgomery Township
Recipient Address: 100 Community Drive, Skillman, New Jersey 08558
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used to improve wastewater treatment efficiency, reduce operational costs, and eliminate discharge into local waterways to enhance environmental water quality. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will improve water well system operation for the community that consumes from the water system.
Black Horse Lane Bridge Rehabilitation Project
Project Recipient: County of Middlesex
Recipient Address: 75 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Amount Requested: $1,500,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used to rehabilitate a two-lane bridge that provides the primary access point to an industrial and warehouse area in North Brunswick, New Jersey. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will secure a primary route that serves several residential and commercial properties.
Rocky Hill Municipal Water Infrastructure Upgrades Phase II
Project Recipient: Montgomery
Recipient Address: 15 Montgomery Ave, Rocky Hill, NJ 08553
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used to continue essential infrastructure upgrades to the municipal water supply. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will improve water well system operation for the community that consumes from the water system.
Delaware River Basin Commission – Federal Signatory Funding Project
Project Recipient: Delaware River Basin Commission
Recipient Address: 25 Cosey Road, West Trenton, NJ 08628
Amount Requested: $715,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used to fulfill the federal signatory funding share for the Delaware River Basin (DRBC). The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the Basin spans 13,539 square miles, including parts of four states, all or portions of 42 counties, 868 municipalities, multiple government entities and jurisdictions, and twenty-two congressional districts; and it provides water to over 14.2 million people both in and outside of the Basin.
North Plainfield Memorial Library Improvements
Project Recipient: Borough of North Plainfield
Recipient Address: 263 Somerset Street, North Plainfield, NJ 07060
Amount Requested: $500,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used to construct a passenger elevator and install an automatic ADA-compliant door at the main entrance to the upper level of the library. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it improves accessibility to the library.
Arnold A. Schwartz Memorial Library Renovation Project
Project Recipient: Borough of Dunellen
Recipient Address: 355 North Avenue, Dunellen, NJ 08812
Amount Requested: $1,545,672
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used to renovate and modernize a critical public facility serving communities in Central New Jersey. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will ensure that residents continue to have a safe, modern, and fully functional public library.
Princeton Public Library Roof Project
Project Recipient: Municipality of Princeton
Recipient Address: 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
Amount Requested: $500,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used to renovate the library’s roof which will prevent deterioration to the existing building. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the Princeton Public Library provides essential services that benefit the community and serves more than 700,000 visitors each year.
South River Public Safety Radio Replacement Project
Project Recipient: Borough of South River
Recipient Address: 48 Washington Street, South River, NJ 08882.
Amount Requested: $453,648
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used to support a radio replacement project benefiting the police department, fire department, and Office of Emergency Management, and reduce maintenance costs associated with outdated equipment. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will improve the public safety communications system and create an interoperable emergency response that improves multi-agency coordination and response times.
Plainfield Center of Excellence Development Project Phase II
Project Recipient: City of Plainfield
Recipient Address: 515 Watchung Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060
Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for construction and acquisition of equipment for a new multifaceted community center. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because, in addition to providing a wide variety of recreational amenities, the Center will also be utilized as a site for educational outreach, workforce development, and health monitoring.
Regional YMCA Franklin Township
Project Recipient: Township of Franklin
Recipient Address: 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873.
Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for construction of a new YMCA Community Center hosted by the township. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will offer a variety of programs and services including fitness and wellness, nutrition education, chronic disease prevention, senior engagement, licensed childcare, teen leadership and mentorship, academic enrichment for youth, workforce readiness initiatives, sports and recreation to the local community.
Cranbury Public Library Roof Improvements
Project Recipient: Cranbury Public Library
Recipient Address: 30 Park Place, West Cranbury, NJ 08512.
Amount Requested: $283,850
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for the installation of new solar panels, waterproofing, and electrical work on the library’s roof. The library is looking to cover 100% of its electricity needs through a rooftop solar system and optional battery backup system. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will helps save the municipality tax dollars that would have gone to cover energy costs and instead will go to expand additional library services.