Introduction

The Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) was established and began by the passage of the “Maintenance of Viable Neighborhoods Act”. NPP’s mission is to promote the social, civic, place and economic development of neighborhoods.  This is done by identifying and recruiting diverse stakeholders, (residents, business owners, clergy, municipal governments and the State of New Jersey) to come together to address community challenges. NPP was revived in 2019 by Governor Phil Murphy and Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver as part of their plan to create a stronger and fair minded New Jersey.

Neighborhood Preservation Program takes an all-inclusive approach to development within the NPP area which allows municipalities creative options and encourages private investments.  

Borough of Freehold is one of 40 communities to receive the $125,000 Neighborhood Preservation Program grant which was awarded in late September 2021. The goal is to increase place, economic, civic and social value.  This will be achieved by enhancing buildings, streets and a district’s physical realm by supporting and coordinating small business recovery, growth and sustainability, and by marketing district events and activities while also engaging local stakeholders in planning and relationship building.

Borough of Freehold Stakeholder Team

To ensure the Borough of Freehold NPP Stakeholder Team would reflect the values and interests of the community, a team was selected to serve as a direct voice of the community based on community engagement.

• Councilwoman Annette Jordan, Resident
• Stephen J. Gallo, Business Administrator
• Dominica R. Napolitano, Planning Board / Land Use
• Robert Lithgow, Sr. Engineering Aide/Recycling Coordinator/Clean Communities Coordinator / Shade Tree
• Matthew Young, Zoning/Construction/Fire Official
• Jeffrey Friedman, Downtown Freehold/Special Improvement District
• Brianne Van Vorst, Resident and Historic Preservation Commission
• Kim Wright, Resident
• Archana Sharma, Business Owner – Aarzu Modern Indian Bisto / Ramen Nagomi
• Matthew Borowski, Business Owner – 618 Restaurant
• Rev. Ronald L. Sparks, Clergy Association

• Letter Awarding Borough of Freehold NPP Designation
• Resolution No. 66-22 Adopting
• NPP Implementation Plan

Half Mile of Horses Art Walk 2024

• Half Mile of Horses Art Walk (2024) CLICK HERE to vote
• Half Mile of Horses Art Walk – 2024 Artist Information Packet / Artist submission date is April 19, 2024
• Half Mile of Horses Art Walk (2023) CLICK HERE to vote and vote often
• Half Mile of Horses Art Walk 2022 
• Freehold “Downtown Peach Orchard” Neighborhood District

Facade Commercial / Mixed Use Rehabilitation Grant

ACT FAST …. Submitted by May 31, 2024 – work completed by September 30, 2024

• Application-Facade-Freehold.pdf
• Freehold Facade Grant Program Overview Outline
• Design Standards Freehold Downtown Peach Orchard Rehabilitation
• Historic Preservation Advisory Commission

If your property is located in the Downtown Historic District please review guidelines through link above.