ASBURY PARTNERS ANNOUNCES INCLUSION OF THREE LOCAL ASBOURY PARK CONTRACTING FIRMS TO WORK ON WATERFRONT INFRASTRUCTURE

Firms Selected Through Local-Initiative Process

ASBURY PARK, N.J., May 8, 2006 – Asbury Partners, LLC has announced the selection of three local Asbury Park contracting firms to participate in rebuilding the first phase of the waterfront infrastructure project within the 56-acre Oceanfront Asbury redevelopment.

The three companies – A&H Construction, CIN Construction and Taylor Brothers Contracting LLC – were selected after a year-long qualification and open-bidding process. Schoor DePalma Engineers and Consultants, the principal engineering consultant for the Oceanfront Asbury project, subcontracted the Asbury Park firms.

The total estimated contract value for the three participating sub-contractors is $1.2 million.

“We have always said that Oceanfront Asbury is about more than just bricks and mortar. It is about the future of one of New Jersey’s most important shore areas and the future of all of its residents,” said Larry Fishman, chief operating officer of Asbury Partners. “One of our goals is to have as many Asbury Park businesses and workers as possible benefiting from the project. These three firms are just the first. We are continuing to work with local businesses to involve others in the redevelopment.”

Qualification Through an Open Bidding Process
The bidding and selection process was unusual in that it involved the community contractors from the very beginning.

“Every effort has been made for inclusion and fair selection, and even for training down the road,” said Dr. Guy McCombs, who heads Asbury Partners’ community outreach efforts. “We brought people together from day one, asking them to help us make the process community friendly.”

Asbury Partners’ ongoing goal to involve local citizens in the redevelopment project is being accomplished in conjunction with Asbury Works, the City’s Workforce Development initiative, as well as with the appropriate unions. “We first screened local contracting firms to determine their qualifications based on proper credentials, equipment capabilities, bonding, etc.,” McCombs explained. “We then put out notices to all the qualifying firms of bidding opportunities. We provided very detailed planning specifications and guidelines, and we met often with those firms to provide as much support as possible throughout the bidding process.”

Tamara Richardson, head of Asbury Works, has been working with the local firms to meet their employment needs as they arise.

The three newly selected Asbury Park contracting firms will be working on hardscape and streetscape components of the Phase I infrastructure improvements. A&H Construction, which is located at 47 Borden Avenue, specializes in concrete, brick, block and masonry. CIN Construction, located at 601 Bangs Avenue, provides brick and block work as well as demolition, concrete and general construction. Taylor Brothers Contracting LLC, situated at 707 Fourth Avenue, is a general contractor. J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, the contracting firm overseeing the infrastructure work, has given each firm specific assignments based on their individual expertise.

Part of $60 Million Infrastructure Improvement Project
Asbury Partners has committed to upgrading the waterfront area’s antiquated infrastructure and has already invested more than $13.2 million in infrastructure analysis, design, and construction. The first phase of the upgrades began in April 2005. This $15.7 million Phase I of a total $60 million upgrade includes the rebuilding of roads, curbs, utilities, sanitary sewers and storm drains.

“We have already made significant headway on this part of the project,” noted John Davies of Schoor DePalma Engineers and Consultants. “The reconstruction and installation of all utilities, including water mains, sanitary sewers, storm drains and water quality structures as well as base paving have been completed on Third, Fourth, Seventh Avenues, and half of Sixth Avenue.”

The infrastructure program also has included laying of a new water main down Cookman Avenue, and the setting up of the balance of utilities will be completed shortly. All utilities have also been installed at the triangle intersection of Asbury, Cookman and Kingsley Avenues. In addition, water quality structures are now in place for both Wesley and Deal Lakes, safeguarding the health of aquatic animals and vegetation and preserving the purity of the water and overall character of the lakes.

Involvement of Local Firms Means Local Jobs
Earl Stevenson of CIN Construction started his firm 3 ½ years ago with the specific goal of one day having the opportunity to work on assignments in Asbury Park and hire local workers. “I’ve lived here for close to 25 years, and I knew that with the redevelopment now taking place, there would be opportunities for a company like mine,” he said. CIN Construction has already earned a reputation for quality work and has landed several large jobs throughout the region, including work for the New Jersey School Construction Corporation. Starting out as a general contractor, his firm now specializes in brick and block work but can provide specialists in carpentry, iron work, and other related fields.  “I’m very happy to have received the call from Asbury Partners,” he said. “This also means I can provide work for some local people. We expect our opportunities to grow, as the Oceanfront Asbury project progresses into its next phases.”

“The main reason that I took this job is so that I could help other local workers,” said Andrew Hughie, who founded A&H Construction more than 30 years ago. Hughie is also a minister at Good Samaritan Church in Neptune and the founder of Self Help, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides job training and employment services. “It’s all about putting local people to work,” he said. “The Oceanfront Asbury project is a great opportunity.”

“It’s nice to have a part in the resurrection of what was once one of the finest towns on the East Coast,” said Gary Taylor of Taylor Brothers Contracting LLC. “I’m grateful that I was chosen, as is my entire crew, all of whom are local residents. People have a special fondness in their hearts for Asbury Park, and I feel honored to participate in bringing it back to its former glory.”