$4M Capital Budget Plan Presented In Summit: See What's Included

SUMMIT, NJ — City leaders held a 2026 Preliminary Capital Budget Workshop meeting on Wednesday night where the public was invited to discuss funding for future projects that may be approved.

The night included talks surrounding infrastructure, police department upgrades, safety features, and other capital projects that would amount to a total of $3.92 million.

The largest portion of the budget would come from infrastructure construction that addresses concerns that include safety and athletic surface upgrades.

Transit Improvements

Road improvements, paving, storm drainage outlets, and pedestrian safety measures would be implemented in at least five areas around the community. These include Beekman Terrace, Briant Parkway, Michigan Avenue, Ascot Way, and Springfield Avenue.

Traffic calming measures, such as pedestrian crossing alert lights, and other bicycle safety projects would also be part of the plan.

Athletics And Recreation

The Memorial Tennis Courts' surfaces are "near the end of their useful life," the City said, and would be fully replaced. Lines for pickleball would also be added.

The slope from the Memorial Baseball/Softball Field between the pitcher's mound and home plate was deemed unsafe by the City's sports field management company. The backstop would be replaced to account for concerns over balls flying over the structure.

A new playground may be coming to the area behind and next to the Summit Community Center or Briant Park. The project is estimated to cost between $600,000 and $1 million.

Security cameras for the Tatlock Fields, re-paving of the Tatlock Fields parking lot, and a new dog park were also presented as part of the plan.

Parking Around The City

Work continues on the Tier Garage Rehabilitation Project. Now that Phase 1 emergency repair work is completed, the City is shifting its focus to the Phase 2 structural restoration work.

Safety, adding years to estimated longevity, and other user-friendly additions are the goals with this next stage of construction.

Multiple other municipal parking lots would also receive improvements to address safety and accessibility issues, and advance long-term improvements.

Law Enforcement

New patrol vehicles and surveillance cameras are in the plans. The Phase 2 portion of the City's multi-year camera replacement project adds surveillance to the Broad Street Parking Garage and Cullis Parking Garage.

The Summit Police Department would also receive six new solar-powered radar signs. This would bring the total to 11 throughout the City.

The requests will now be reviewed and discussed by the Finance Committee and Capital Projects Committee in January and February of 2026. The budget will then be introduced at a council meeting in April 2026.

Additional information regarding the budget can be found by visiting the City's website.

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