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July
1, 2004
ASBURY PARK'S NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BOARDWALK
GREETS 2004 SUMMER SEASON
The much-anticipated Asbury Park boardwalk reconstruction has been virtually
completed, just as summer swings into gear at the Jersey Shore. The famed,
mile-long promenade is already greeting beachgoers, sightseers and city residents,
as many planned entertainment events start the season.
"It looks beautiful," said Larry Fishman, chief operating officer of Asbury
Partners, LLC, which orchestrated the project as part of its role as master
developer for the 56-acre Oceanfront Asbury redevelopment. "This represents
the first completed renovation within the waterfront's renaissance, a symbol
of the progress that has begun to restore the city's stature as the Jewel
of the Jersey Shore."
The boardwalk, always at the center of activity in Asbury Park, is again
a focal point for beach and entertainment happenings. The city's lifeguarded
beaches are open, and the boardwalk retail for 2004 includes a sports bar,
a surf shop, an arcade, ice-cream parlor, and a sundries and souvenir shop,
among others. Asbury Partners expects a number of stores to be open by July
4. Fishman added that 5 to 10 kiosks may be operational as well, coordinated
by the Team Rutgers partnership to provide local businesses with a presence
on the boardwalk.
Throughout the summer, the boardwalk will serve as a venue for weekday and
weekend special events. A fun-filled Fourth of July weekend will include
a parade, volleyball tournament, live music and fireworks co-sponsored by
Asbury Partners, and two Oceanfront Asbury sub-developers, Westminster Communities
and Paramount Homes.
On August 20, a three-day "Guitarbeque(tm)" will feature live performances and
a national sanctioned barbeque contest on the boardwalk. At the same time, the
East Coast Musician's Expo will be held at Convention Hall.
"These events provide just a sampling of what is planned for the coming months," Fishman
said. "Last year's beach revenues were the highest in 10 years, and we are so
pleased to introduce the brand-new Asbury Park boardwalk this summer as anticipated,
to serve as a symbol of the historical turnaround that is now being experienced
all over this city."
Fishman credited the contractors involved in the demolition and reconstruction
work for their accomplishments. S&W General Contracting, Inc. of Cherry Hill,
New Jersey, and Asbury Park, served as general contractor for the demolition,
and Vaccaro Enterprises LLC, also based in Asbury Park, was project manager for
that component. Simpson & Brown of Cranford, New Jersey, served as the general
contractor for reconstruction of the boardwalk.
Reconstruction Involves City Residents and Businesses
Complimenting Oceanfront Asbury's ongoing community outreach initiative, the
boardwalk project included significant involvement of city residents through
STARS (Strategic Target Area Rebuilding Spirit). A Community Development Corporation,
STARS is focused on ensuring that small, minority- and women-owned business enterprises
(SBE, MBE and WBE) have an opportunity to compete openly on public- and private-sector
contract work.
"We are especially pleased that the project involved local businesses and residents,
a reflection of Asbury Partners commitment to the city and its citizens to ensure
that the benefits of redevelopment are felt throughout Asbury Park," noted Asbury
Park Mayor Kevin G. Sanders.
Oceanfront Asbury's progress can be seen off the boardwalk as well. At the site
of The Palace, the renowned "Tillie" clown face has been successfully preserved
and removed, and the Save Tillie group is staging and removing the "Bumper Car
Ladies" from the building's southern side. Following that work, demolition of
the remainder of the building will continue.
The exterior demolition of the abandoned C-8 skeleton on Ocean Avenue is progressing
on schedule as well. And at Wesley Lake and the North Shore, Westminster Communities
and Paramount Homes are preparing to begin site work on their respective Phase
I residential development projects.
Designed by project planner Clarke Caton Hintz/Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects
a joint venture (CCH/EE&K), Oceanfront Asbury will include 3,500 residential
units, a 450,000-square-foot retail and entertainment component, municipal services
and urban empowerment initiatives. It is expected to be completed in phases over
10 years, ultimately producing more than $1.25 billion in total economic redevelopment.
Asbury Partners is working closely with the City of Asbury Park in this ambitious
public/private partnership.
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