By Paul Goldfinger, editor
May 14, 2013. This is the third in a series of meetings between the OGCMA and major organizations in Ocean Grove. Most of the time was spent reviewing the progress at the beachfront. Here are the highlights:
1. The reconstruction of the boardwalk at the South End was carefully designed to withstand future hurricanes. The elements include pilings to a depth of 25 feet (instead of the prior 5 feet,) joists 12 inches apart, reinforcing the bulkhead using thick planks of wood from the old boardwalk, metal hurricane straps to attach the joists to the pilings, composite walking surface attached with stainless steel screws. This basic approach will be used in the future when further boardwalk work will be done at Middle Beach.
Strong joist construction at the South End. PG photo. Left click for larger view
2. 165 feet of the pier will be open to the public. It is almost ready. Railings will be placed this weekend.
3. Middle beach. Eventually that section of the boardwalk will be placed 30 feet behind (west of) the old location so as to locate it behind the bulkhead and to line it up with the rest of the boardwalk, north and south. An aerial photograph illustrates the point. (below).
You can see how the large center portion of the boardwalk sits closer to the ocean than the north and south parts. Engineers post-Sandy found that the center portion was sitting east of the hidden bulkhead. That “middle beach ” section would have been saved if it had been built behind the bulkhead, like the north and south portions.
In 1992, after a huge storm, FEMA paid the bill, but it required that the middle portion be kept exactly where it was, much to the dismay of the Ocean Grove planners. This time, the middle section will be placed behind the bulkhead and in a straight line with the rest of the boards.
pre-Sandy Google Earth photo. Courtesy of Chris Flynn, OGCMA
4. The tie-in to the Bradley Beach boardwalk is almost ready. JCP&L is working on the lighting. Construction of the beach offices is proceeding. The Asbury connection now depends on reopening of the Casino, which has been promised by AP.
5. The beach is clean with minimal debris found. Mr. Bailey says, “We are excited about the beach’s condition.” Our sand replenishment will be one part of a state-wide coastal project by the Army Corps of Engineers that will stretch from Cape May to Sandy Hook. We will be part of the phase that will go from Manasquan north to Asbury Park. This will happen after Labor Day and will consist of pumping sand from off-shore sites. The goal will be to restore the beach to “pre-Sandy” levels.
OG beach: “looks good…clean”
6. Divers from OG will assess the ocean bottom near shore as will the State of NJ using sonar equipment. The bottom will be altered again after the replenishment.
7. Dune reconstruction will be a “process.” The last dunes took 20 years to develop. The State is determined to have dunes from Sandy Hook down to Cape May. In Ocean Grove, the CMA is consulting with scientists and engineers to do the dunes properly. Mr.delCampo said, “The dunes will be back.” Winter berms are being leveled.
8. The overall condition of Ocean Grove for the summer season is better than most shore towns. We have no devastation, no noise, and no disruption. Our commercial district is 100% functional. We need to get the word out that we are able and ready to receive visitors. The OG Chamber of Commerce is enthused about our prospects for summer 2013. They say that they are receiving many phone calls that express enthusiasm for returning to the Grove.
9. The TOGETHER fund-raising effort is off to a good start. They hope to raise $1.5 million over two years, but already they have over $668,000. If we get government funding for 75%, this fund will supply the rest. Fund raisers are planned including a Gospel Festival on June 1, theRaise the Roof Concert on June 15, a town picnic on the Pathway July 19, and a Summer Ball on August 9.
Rev. David Cotton, the co-chair of TOGETHER said that they are optimistic. He said, “We are doing it right. We haven’t even hit our stride yet.” He also expressed thanks to the Blogfinger Film Festival and the Town-wide yard sale as examples of community-based fund-raising initiatives.
10. No word on the FEMA appeal. Answer is expected before July 4. The second Town Meeting is tentatively planned for July 6, probably in the Youth Temple.
11. The Great Auditorium roof repair will be deferred until after Labor Day. The special roof material (zinc coated, stainless steel) hasn’t been manufactured yet, and the building is water tight with special temporary coverings.
GETTING IN THE MOOD—The Danleers:
So Rich: The jetties are on the move, and the streets are talking to you. What’s next, Days ice cream turns into chopped liver? Stop by my house soon, and I will shrink your head (or maybe your shirt) —Paul
I was in OG for 5 days over Memorial Day. The sand on the beach needs to be raked, grated or whatever the word is. There is a ton of small black rocks in addition to the shells. Anyone notice the slow movement of what once was a relatively straight boulder formation (jetty) left of the former fishing pier. It is on the move !
Broadway looks and rides great now, but it’s not Main and it’s not Ocean and their crying out “Pave me” “Pave me”. Does FEMA have a construction rode crew? Hello to all the gang at my favorite Hotel !
It seems to me that if FEMA demanded the wrong choice in 1992, they should at least make good on their mistake – my logic.
Thanks, Paul….great update!
Sue: When you gotta go…..The OGCMA says that they will restore that trailer, but that it is a difficult challenge. Bill Bailey is the man in charge of the toilet trailer.
Thanks for the update. Any word on the status and expected availability of the ‘toilet trailer’? (sorry, that’s what our family calls it!)
It should be noted that Harriet Bernstein, co-chair of Ocean Grove United made a statement at the meeting expressing appreciation to the OG Camp Meeting Association.
She said, “I want to personally thank the CMA leadership for being so forthcoming by reaching out to the community and keeping us all informed about the progress of the beach and boardwalk restoration. Conversations with neighbors and friends support this perception.”
LOOKS LIKE A GREAT JOB THEY ARE DOING……………….
THANK YOU PAUL.
CARL
Blogfinger team: Thanks so much for this information and for all that you do to be the well-written and timely source of OG news.