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April 25, 2005

ASBURY PARK BUSINESS OWNERS GET INSIDE VIEW OF PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES INVOLVED IN THE OCEANFRONT ASBURY WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT

Pictured recently at a special breakfast meeting for local business owners, hosted by Asbury Partners, LLC, the designated redeveloper of the 56-acre Oceanfront Asbury waterfront redevelopment are (left to right): Mel Cohen, director of Jewish Family Services; Karen Escobedo, manager of economic development of NJ Natural Gas; Dr. Guy McCombs III, community outreach liaison for Asbury Partners; Larry Fishman, chief operating officer of Asbury Partners; Robert Taylor, president of the Kiwanis Club and chief professional officer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monmouth County; Tom Gilmour, UEZ Director of Commerce and Special Events; Uri Kahanow, retail director of Asbury Partners; and Caitlin Thorn, box office manager for Convention Hall/Paramount Theatre.

Asbury Park will truly be "Alive in '05" as road and infrastructure construction continues, new residential units begin to dot the skyline, retailers move into the beachfront area, and a full-scale entertainment calendar is put into effect.

This was the message delivered recently at a special breakfast meeting for local business owners, hosted by Asbury Partners, LLC, the designated redeveloper of the 56-acre Oceanfront Asbury waterfront redevelopment. 

The event, attended by more than 30 local small business owners, was the third in a series of meetings which provide community leaders with a unique opportunity to learn about the progress of the waterfront redevelopment and to ask direct questions of the developer. The meeting was organized by Dr. Guy McCombs, community liaison for Asbury Partners, and Tom Gilmour, director of Commerce and Special Events for the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ).

The event, attended by more than 30 local small business owners, was the third in a series of meetings which provide community leaders with a unique opportunity to learn about the progress of the waterfront redevelopment and to ask direct questions of the developer. The meeting was organized by Dr. Guy McCombs, community liaison for Asbury Partners, and Tom Gilmour, director of Commerce and Special Events for the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ).

Recent Redevelopment Accomplishments

Speaking for the UEZ, Gilmour noted that  "our goal is to bring business to town and to keep them here."  He said that this summer will mark a breakthrough for the redevelopment, as a host of new retailers take advantage of boardwalk opportunities and waterfront construction progresses.

Larry Fishman, chief operating officer of Asbury Partners, then presented the group with a long list of redevelopment accomplishments thus far.

"Our three sub-developers are moving ahead at lightening speed with the residential construction," he said. "Westminster Communities has placed the pilings and is about to pour concrete for its Phase I construction. They plan to have the first 100 condominium and townhouse units along Wesley Lake online by November 2005."

He also noted that Paramount Homes has begun excavation for 157 residential units and will be driving piles within the next two to three weeks. And Metro Homes, which is renovating the old C-8 building, has received plan approval as well as water and sewer permits, and expects to begin construction as early as July 1.

In addition, Fishman also described the infrastructure work now underway on Lake Avenue. He noted that arrangements have been made to accommodate traffic and parking needs and to preserve beach access throughout the construction period, as sanitary sewers are installed and the roads and sidewalks are rebuilt.

"Every effort is being made to bring local businesses into the redevelopment," Fishman noted. "J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, the general contractor for the infrastructure, is purchasing supplies from city businesses such as Asbury Electric and Asbury Windows, and we are compiling a database for Asbury Park businesses with information about upcoming jobs and opportunities. Now is the time to get a foothold in the project," he said.

Summer on the Boardwalk

Uri Kahanow, Asbury Partners' director of retail spoke to the group about the growing demand for retail space on the boardwalk for the upcoming summer. "Nine of the ten spaces originally offered in the First and Fifth Avenue pavilions have already been leased," he said. Tenants, who include some local Asbury Park residents and business owners, range from food vendors and restaurants, to beach accessory shops, a photo gallery and craft boutiques.

Caitlin Thorn, Asbury Partners' event coordinator, also spoke, providing a long list of scheduled summer entertainment events which include concerts, exhibitions and outdoor festivals.

A question-and-answer period followed the presentations, giving audience members the opportunity to gain more detailed information about construction schedules, beach security and amenities.

"Working together with the City, we have been able to really make things happen in Asbury Park," said Fishman. "Our goal is to put Asbury Park back on the map as the Jewel of the Jersey Shore. It is clear that we are well on our way to achieving that goal."