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September 5, 2003
ASBURY RESIDENTS WORKING ON BOARDWALK RECONSTRUCTION OF ASBURY PARK: Asbury Partners Community Outreach Initiatives Involve STARS
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| The community outreach initiatives of Asbury Partners, LLC, the City-appointed master developer of the 56-waterfront redevelopment, Oceanfront Asbury, have come together in a number of ways recently, bringing new jobs and employment opportunities to many of the City's residents. The first phase of the boardwalk reconstruction, the demolition of unsafe areas of the boardwalk, began in August involving Larry Fishman, chief operating officer of Asbury Partners; Henry Vaccaro, principal of Vaccaro Enterprises, LLC; Dr. Guy McCombs III, community outreach liaison for Asbury Partners; and Stephen Henderson, president of S&W General Contracting Services, Inc. |
The community outreach initiatives of Asbury Partners,
LLC, the City-appointed master developer of the 56-waterfront redevelopment,
Oceanfront Asbury, have come together in a number of ways recently, bringing
new jobs and employment opportunities to many of the City's residents.
The first phase of the Boardwalk reconstruction, the demolition of unsafe areas
of the boardwalk, began on August 18, and the company heading that portion of
the project is S&W General Contracting, Inc. With offices in Cherry Hill and
Asbury Park, New Jersey, S&W has been certified by the New Jersey Commerce & Economic
Growth Commission as a Minority Business Enterprise. Vaccaro Enterprises LLC,
a general contracting firm based in Asbury Park, is the project manager for S&W.
Both S&W and Vaccaro are involving city residents in the demolition and reconstruction
process through STARS (Strategic Target Area Rebuilding Spirit). A Community
Development Corporation, STARS is focused on ensuring that Small, Minority and
Women Owned businesses (SBE, MBE and WBE) have an opportunity to compete openly
on public- and private-sector contract work. They have compiled a database of
local SBE, MBE and WBE firms and conducted a sign-up program focusing on residents
who wish to be considered for construction jobs. The list contains more than
70 local people who have participated in screening and training activities. The
boardwalk demolition and reconstruction includes openings for 10-15 of the STARS
work-ready candidates.
S&W has already awarded Gordon Construction, an MBE based in Asbury Park, a sub-contract
in the demolition phase of the project. The demolition is expected to take one
month, and the reconstruction will take four to five months to complete.
Community Outreach:
Part of Asbury Partners Vision for the Future In addition to the immediate work
for residents, Asbury Partners, through Community Liaison, Dr. Guy McCombs, has
begun a number of other outreach efforts. "We are canvassing the community for
input on how to most effectively ensure employment opportunities for the City's
residents," Dr. McCombs said. "In addition, priority status has been accorded
such issues as relocation assistance, mortgage financing, workforce and entrepreneurial
development, and preferential hiring of Asbury Park residents."
Asbury Partners and the City also have established a partnership with Team Rutgers,
a collaboration of the State University's Business and Law Schools, faculty,
staff and students. The relationship enables the University to provide resources
that will assist Asbury Park residents and businesses to maximize the benefits
of the redevelopment. "Asbury Partners maintains ongoing, productive communication
with a number of key community groups to keep the progress moving throughout
the City," Dr. McCombs added. Groups involved include the West Side Community
Center, the Historical Society of Asbury Park, Interfaith Neighbors, I Dream
A City, the Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County, Epiphany House, the Homeowner's
Associations, and Asbury Park's two prominent ecumenical councils. A new series
of "Getting to Know You" breakfasts, hosted by Asbury Partners, are expected
to continue the process.
The Progress Continues
Progress of Oceanfront Asbury continues on many other fronts. Two residential
developers, Westminster Communities and Paramount Homes, are in the final phases of
approval to develop the first portion of new townhomes in the City; several new
establishments have opened on the boardwalk including the Cadillac Ranch Saloon
and the Surf City Oceanfront Bar and Grill; Asbury Partners has launched partial
demolition of the unfinished structure known as the C-8 building to open Ocean
Avenue for vehicular and pedestrian traffic; and many more levels of progress
proceed unabated.
As a result, the Waterfront Redevelopment Plan already has received a number
of state and international awards. In 2002, the plan earned an Honor Award as
part of the 16th annual Excellence on the Waterfront Awards program sponsored
by The Waterfront Center, a non-profit, educational organization based in Washington,
D.C., with members throughout the world. In addition, the New Jersey Chapter
of the American Planning Association named Oceanfront Asbury the Outstanding
Redevelopment Plan as part of the group's 2002 Planning Awards. Most recently,
New Jersey Future presented Oceanfront Asbury with its 2003 Smart Growth Award.
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