By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
What happens when a property in Ocean Grove gets “tired beyond it’s useful life?” And how about when a property that has housed citizens of Ocean Grove for over 134 years has “outlived its economic usefulness and no longer has any historic or architectural significance?” And what about when it “contributes nothing to the historic district; has no style; is a nightmare to maintain; is broken down with sagging buckling floors and water damage; and when it has significant structural problems?”
Well, all that and more was said last night at a special Historic Preservation Commission demolition hearing regarding 18-20 Surf Avenue, aka the Whitfield Hotel, located at Surf Ave., Beach Ave.,Bath Ave., and Lonely Street.
The old 54 room hotel was diagnosed by experts as being “a very large box with no style.” Grovers in the audience could be heard murmuring, “Tear it down.'”
Yet, sitting there and thinking of the building as a home rather than a house, made it seem so sad. But clearly, it is time to sound the death knell. No one would ever buy that building and sink the amount of money into it that would be needed to preserve it for the future.
If the Whitfield were a patient, it would be a candidate for euthanasia, and that is exactly what was in the air last night at the HPC meeting held in the municipal building. Quite a few Grovers were present at the meeting.
The Ocean Grove architect who testified for the owners was Stephen Carlidge, AIA. He and historian Wayne T. Bell were in complete agreement about the insignificance of that property, and, for the most part, the HPC members seemed satisfied that the building is a useless mess.
It was acknowledged that the building is currently safe to use, but its near-future prognosis suggests a bad ending unless a major remodeling were done.
The history of the Whitfield is fascinating. There were only two pieces of actual evidence regarding that history. A Sanborn map of 1889 was reviewed and revealed three wood frame buildings on that 4 lot property. There were two small units—maybe even two tents. The other building was perhaps a two story single family Victorian house. All three structures were certainly residential. There are no old photographs.
The next piece of evidence was a postcard from around 1930 when the big box looked as it does today. A history of Ocean Grove in 1939 listed all the hotels in town. The Whitfield was on that list. It offered an “American Plan” for dining, and the proprietor was Charles M. Herman.
The best explanation of the building’s history is that the three units gradually got larger and eventually “morphed” into one structure, sometime between 1910-1920.
Kevin Chambers, the former President of the Historical Society of Ocean Grove made a surprise appearance at the microphone. He said that he and his colleagues had been watching that property years ago as it became degraded by owners who took out original features such as windows, put in aluminum siding and left no sign of the original architecture. Only a small number of decorative brackets remain. Mr. Chambers said that the building was stripped so much that it “is no longer a contributing structure to the community. ” He recommended demolition as being the best decision for the town.
Mr. Ted Bell said that if we were to grade large historic buildings in Ocean Grove, the Aurora would get the highest rating. That building on Surf Avenue is “one of the best examples of Victorian architecture in New Jersey, and perhaps in America. But the Whitfield would get a zero.”
Janice Green, a resident of Surf Avenue, pleaded with the Commission to approve the demolition.
Mr. Carlidge said that the demo would help the “economic base” of the neighborhood and would allow “something more appropriate on the site.” He then went over the 14 criteria needed to satisfy the demolition ordinance, and this proposal satisfied all 14.
The social aspects of the situation regarding the current occupants were not discussed. That is really not the concern of the HPC, nor are the future plans for the property—at least not at this time.
The only mention of the future was to say that the building must be maintained with all systems working until such time as a demolition were to occur . The fate of the building seems clear now, although an official ruling about the demo cannot be declared until at least 90 days go by (i.e. on Dec 10, 2013) The reason for the 90 days is to give some preservationists the chance to show up and save the Whitfield. Any odds on that happening?
It seems clear as to what the fate of the Whitfield will be, and that will be a correct decision, but it is sort of sad—isn’t it?
KRISTIN CHENOWETH from “Promises, Promises.’
The Whitfield was torn down a few weeks ago. What I wonder is if the name The Whitfield was in any way related to Whitefield, which is the street in OG where I currently live.
Wisher: Our society offers no solution to how to save a place like the Whitfield for those needing inexpensive and safe sheltering. Having been at the 2013 demo hearing, no one offered any option that would turn the old hotel into homes for the poor. In fact, the subject wasn’t even discussed.
I know that a great effort went into finding homes for those who lived there and that is why it took so long before it was demolished.
And yet when it came to opening a spa for cancer victims on Main Avenue or building condominiums for the wealthy, no problem.
Ocean Grove used to have a lot of structures that were used for the needy, but they were selfishly managed, unfairly applied, dangerous,and had to be abolished.
I don’t know how many inexpensive (or Section 8) housing rentals there are in the Grove, but they are there. However, oftentimes such places attract trouble and threaten neighborhoods. What’s the answer?
As for the situation now at that site, we have been sensitized to land use abuses in the Grove which harms those who actually live here.
We want to awaken a sleeping giant which is failure to enforce those laws.
No society can survive lawlessness, or injustice, or double standards under the law, or political favoritism—-especially if that society has its head in the sand, and we have plenty of sand around here.
So we at Blogfinger are keeping our eyes open.
That’s not to say that there is an issue at the Whitfield site, but we are evaluating situations around town whenever possible problems are detected.
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
The people who were displaced were also “single families.” Troubled vets, people alone, needing shelter.
The love for demolition makes one wonder what kind of people we are. You can stroll down the “single family” homes on Ocean Avenue, and wonder about the absent “single families.” Gone, and gone more, for almost all year long.
No real people, just ghost houses, bland landscape: investments, for the uber-rich. A dead, lifeless place. Funded, and quiet, but just a shell.
Reblogged this on Blogfinger and commented:
The “Notorious Whitfield Hotel” is now gone, and foundation work has begun at the site in preparation for some single family houses. But the Whitfield Hotel story is not over. What exactly is going on over there now? Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, it is interesting to review the history of why that hotel was torn down recently. Our story about that is reblogged now, from 2013.
Its a tough situation, the Whitfield is not a good place for anyone to stay.
Has there been an update to the timing of the demo?
First of all thanks to all the kind people for their suggestions on finding housing because they are demolishing the Whitfield. I especially appreciate Wisher’s empathy.
As to Silver Lining and OG’s comments, neither of you obviously have ever been in desperate circumstances. Social Services gave me lists of affordable housing with waiting lists of one year at least. When my whole life disappeared overnite, I lost my beautiful home, a puppy I loved more than life itself, all my possessions, and my wonderful roommate.
I lost my job and was evicted. And now I cannot find a place I can afford. That’s why I ended up here. And FYI there are not tons of agencies that help you when you find yourself in the position I am in.
But thanks to all the nice people who encouraged me with their kind words. I am trying the best I can to get thru this.
Editor’s note: Michelle has allowed us to post her email address for those who might want to contact her. (below)
blackpony102461@gmail.com
Paul, I do not think that I am generalizing or stereotyping. As someone who has worked as a mental health professional for more than 20 years, i know exactly what type of people live in SROs. For starters, these are usually short term situations, so the residents don’t often get involved with a particular town. It is true that most often, these are people with mental illness, drug and criminal histories or all of the above.
These places are way too scary for your average low income, starving artist type. It is complete fantasy and delusion to think that that is who lives in an SRO.
Charles L. Thanks for letting us in on the efforts to address derelict buildings in OG. It is comforting to know that there is concern for those long time residents still living here who are of limited means now (try living on Social Security and dwindling savings) or physical limitations. They need to be cut some slack.
We should appreciate those who paid real estate taxes for years supporting Neptune and its school system instead of casting them out for what may be minor problems to some, but “derelict” status for some others. Heaven forbid I say that would be the “Christian” thing to do because it would also be the “Jewish” or “Islamic” or “Hindi” or simply the “RIGHT” thing to do.
And a return to the WHITFIELD topic ….nobody has addressed my question: what if the owner had not asked to demolish? What then?
I just now became aware of this discussion, including the comments about the Home Owners Association and it’s derelict buildings committee. While I won’t engage in any back-and-forth in this space, I thought that, since I am the chairman of that committee, I would try to explain what the HOA does, in fact, do.
Our committee is charged with learning as much as we can about derelict properties in OG and doing as much as we can to move the Township toward addressing the problems. We have compiled an incredible amount of information about properties in various states of disrepair — some extreme, some less serious. We have also created a website on which we’ve published as much of this information as is appropriate. It is at derelictbuildings.net. We have also explained the issues and our activities at the HOA’s monthly meetings, and we will continue to do that. These meetings are open to the public.
However, to those who ask that we publish a list of all the problem buildings in OG, I must explain that this has not been our policy. We do publish and publicize the worst cases — in fact, we shout that to the very heavens — but we consider it wrong to make a public issue of every home in OG that is in any state of disrepair. What is “derelict” or “neglected” is a matter of degree. We do not wish to embarrass our neighbors, who may be struggling financially or in other ways, by holding them up to public scorn unnecessarily. Many times, problems of a less-than-urgent nature can be solved quietly, and this in fact has been done in a number of cases. We think this is the decent, smart way to go. Most of our successes, therefore, are and will be invisible.
To those who are unaware of our work, I would encourage you first to visit the committee’s website and read through the large amount of material found there. (Again, that is derelictbuildings.net.) If you still have questions or concerns, please attend one of our HOA meetings and give us the benefit of your input. Or just get in touch with me personally — I am not hard to find — or any other officer of the HOA.
One note regarding the claim by commenters in Blogfinger that the HOA did not attend the Whitfield Hotel demolition hearing: Two members of the HOA’s derelict buildings committee actually sit on the HPC that conducted the hearing on the Whitfield. The HOA was completely aware of that proceeding, and we are pleased about the outcome. The claim that we were uninvolved or didn’t care is mind-boggling.
— Charles Layton
Joe : Of course I have been to Hoboken lateley. Were you ever there pre- gentrification in say the 80’s ? Lots & lots of Artists, musicians, writers, & creative types. All now replaced by boring rich yuppies. While yes your almighty property values are up the character, spirit, and individuality of the town is gone.
Vibrant nightlife ? I disagree. That is unless one thinks going from one overpriced bar down the block to another is a vibrant nightlife. One of the most well known and well respected clubs in the nation(Maxwells) in Hoboken just closed. Reason being new demographic/population of Hoboken did not support it enough.
Joe: I only know what the Superintendent said at the Township Committee meeting. Seems it was suggested to him by Brookdale based on a success in Texas.
Frank:
Have you been to Hoboken lately? Because I’ll take their particular brand of gentrification. They were an original Abbott district; they no longer are. Property values are up, new multi-million dollar apartments are being built, and it hosts a vibrant nightlife. Seems like they are doing pretty well
Jersey City is still pretty diverse, but it’s also pretty rough. I know a few guys who work in Emergency Services and they stay busy there. However the hospital system is becoming one of the best in the state.
Wisher:
OG is far from an exciting place in the winter—no more so than Spring Lake, Deal, Belmar, Bradley,or Avon. Every show town becomes pretty quiet around the New Year.
Ken:
Do you know if Brookdale’s current operations in the Neptune BOE building have any influence on this new arrangement? Seems like they already have a pretty good working cooperative going.
A few have mentioned their fears of “homogenization”. We are a community who leases our homes from a Methodist organization, yet hosts a significant homosexual population, has a decent college population, retirees and young professionals. There are many ways to describe OG, but “homogeneous” will probably not be one.
The issue is the Whitfield is not the sort of property that attracts gainfully employed lower income residents. It is a dumping ground for ex-felons and other unsavory sorts. There do not appear to be families living there— just folks that sit on the porch & steps all day smoking and yelling at each other.
I live in the neighborhood and often am uncomfortable walking past it at night.
On the other hand, there is a lovely multi-family house across the street from me that my visitors are amazed to know is a rental property, as it is well maintained and has a beautiful garden that one of the tenants plants evey spring.
Neptune school system may not be as bad as portrayed by Tomas. At the recent Township Committee meeting the Supt.of Schools presented a plan that in conjunction with Brookdale Community College would provide 25 entering freshmen the opportunity to earn a HS diploma AND a AA from Brookdale in the four years they attend Neptune HS by taking required HS courses and college courses in addition (the senior year on college campus.)
Imagine saving 2 years of college tuition and getting admission to one of 5 NJ higher education facilities if earning 3+ scholastic average. The Supt.said that Neptune was selected when the school was inspected by Brookdale’s new head.
The Whitfield Hotel highlights an interesting situation for Neptune regarding the buildings (large and small) in historic Ocean Grove. For years residents have grumbled about “goings-on” in various apartment houses, rooming and boarding establishments, hotels and multi-family units. Police being called repeatedly to handle fights, disorderly persons, drunks and druggies causing problems etc…Landlords not providing services.
Various State, County and Municipal officials are charged to ensure compliance with the laws and code violations….NOT the OGHOA whose members have as many varied interests and opinions of what is important to them as any such organization. Its members are not shy about speaking up at their monthly meetings,(which are open to the public) on the 4th Saturday morning of the month at 10 AM. Anyone who wishes may attend, ask to be recognized and after identifying themselves can complain, compliment or make a statement about almost anything germane to Ocean Grove. Know an address of a derelict building? Come share it with the HOA.
What if the owner of the WHITFIELD had not requested this demolition? What then? Despite some of the quotes attributed to the architect of why demo should be allowed he also testified it was not in any imminent danger of collapse requiring extraordinary measures. In fact it sounded very much to be a business decision. An owner looking at the cost of maintenance, additional capital expenditures in the future and of dealing with unending problems. Simply a Business Plan decision by a property owner.
If you want normal full-year folks to move in — and not just wealthy second home owners who live here part of the year — then fix the schools. No family would move to OG unless they could afford private schools or were going to home school. The public schools are beyond scary. This fact means that the town only appeals to wealthy second home buyers. SInce this is the reality, let’s go with it — as it will certainly improve the real estate values. A step in the right direction is to get rid of all the SROs.
Bythesea: Admiration for a new single-family home and their occupants can seem like a great deal as a replacement for the Whitfield. But letting private, wealthy homeowners, many who just want a part-time visit here without any year-round commitment, take over the town, could be a real problem for the future of Ocean Grove. Visit Deal or Spring Lake in the winter and tell me whether that is a vibrant community, or not. The only life there are some squirrels. Even in the summer, these suburbs do house what you would call contributing residents. They are just not there enough.
My opinion is that we welcome and keep some nice lower-income rental properties to attract young people, people seeking a year-round life here, residents, maybe renters, who will inject funds into the restaurants and shops here to spurn investments in businesses here. Spring Lake used to be a great town and destination. Now it is just a green lawn with automatic sprinklers.
I would like to see some of these old hotels renovated into rental properties. Maybe not low-income, but something a dynamic, creative type can afford.
If I can chime here….I agree with Dr. Carol. The Whitfield is not derelict. As Paul points to all the deficiencies of the Whitfield as his reason for believing such, I would suggest that many homes in Ocean Grove would also fall into that category. Perhaps, the OGHOA could give us their interpretation.
Bythesea writes ” If you cannot afford to live in a town, its time to move on ” Harsh and mean indeed. I have seen this happen in SoHo, Hoboken, Jersey City, Asbury Park, and now Ocean Grove. In every case it was a shame and uncalled for. In every case after gentrification happened the community became generic, boring and homogenous. A mere shell & satire of its former self.
From what I understand, the OGHOA has raised concerns about proposed condominium projects. Case in point: there is an OGHOA committee actively staying on top of the north end development project. Thanks to the committee’s considerable efforts, the number of proposed condos for this project has been reduced.
Since the OGHOA is open to all homeowners and holds monthly meetings that welcome the public, maybe Doubting Thomas, The Questioner, and Gosh can use that forum to voice their concerns. Or–even better–to volunteer their services to make Ocean Grove a better place to live.
I agree with OGnME. I’m sure there are nice people everywhere. I like to think I am a nice, church going person. Some might even consider me interesting and colorful. However, even though I am the kind of person that would be a good citizen of any town, there are many towns I cannot afford to live in. For example, I could not afford a house in Spring Lake or Short Hills. Should I expect these towns to cater to my lower economic status and create/sustain housing I can afford? I think not. If you cannot afford to live in a town, its time to move on — whether you are a good person or not.
I suppose we will have to disagree, Paul. Webster’s first definition of “derelict” is “abandoned” — the Whitfield is clearly not yet in that state. All the other buildings on the derelict house list are abandoned with no one living there.
1der·e·lict
adjective \ˈder-ə-ˌlikt, ˈde-rə-\
Definition of DERELICT
1
: abandoned especially by the owner or occupant; also : run-down
Hats off to Paul. Your comments show me that #1 you are not afraid to criticise the OGHOA or whomever else #2 You are fair & kind hearted re the human beings/citizens/our neighbors whom live in Whitefield . Thanks for being you.
Well said Paul.
OGnME: Do you really know who lives in the Whitfield? Is it possible that there are folks who live there who simply can’t afford to live anywhere else? Would you exclude the possibility that some of them might actually be interesting, helpful, admirable people? Is it not possible that some of the Whitfield denizens are also “committed to the well being of the town?”
What you are doing is generalizing and stereotyping, and that’s not what should happen in our town either.
Sorry Carol, but there is no way that the Whitfield is not a “derelict” building. The OGHOA derelict housing committee website defines “derelict” buildings as “neglected and/or abandoned properties.” They also include “run-down buildings.”
The architect who testified opened his presentation by referring to the Whitfield as “a dangerous condition” He spoke of extensive water damage “over the years”, sagging/buckling floors, “significant rot” and “serious structural problems.” In addition he mentioned “many code issues including plumbing and electric.”
You might argue that the OGHOA was unaware of all these interior problems, but you can’t say that “the Whitfield was not derelict yet.” The whole idea of having a derelict housing watch committee is to identify structures that might be saved before they actually fall down.
As for Gosh, neither of us knows exactly what he meant, but I think he meant that the OGHOA should speak up when condos are proposed in the Grove. He thinks that by not saying anything, they are offering tacit approval of those condos.
I really don’t think that it is the residents of the Whitfield who add character to this town. I think it is all the other people who take the time to invest their resources ( not just financial) into this town.
I don’t think removing the Whitfield will make us like any of the boring, neutered towns along the shore. OG is different because of the nature of the people who are committed to the well being of tHe town.
The OGHOA has created a web site tracking the derelict buildings in OG —
http://derelictbuildings.net/
Please note that the Whitfield was not derelict yet — the owner was facing large expenses to keep it up to code and decided to pursue demolition. So, the HOA would not have been tracking it as a derelict building.
Gosh’s comment that the HOA approved conversion of the Surf Ave Hotel to condos is incorrect. Perhaps Gosh meant HPC?
Appleation: The HOA may have no actual power, but they certainly have a voice. They are perhaps the largest citizen organization in the Grove. This gives them moral authority to speak out about issues that concern homeowners in town. Their stated mission is to “protect and advance property values and the quality of life in Ocean Grove.”
As such, there are many issues that ought to concern them. They are in a position to put pressure on the “powers that be.” Look at what the HOA accomplished in the 80’s and 90’s to help save Ocean Grove from becoming a slum.
As far as I am aware,the HOA has no voice/power whatsoever with regard to any approval of anything regarding these or any other buildings in town. All they can do is give an opinion. I’m not sure what GOSH expects that they should do.
The demoltion of the Whitfield is the only way to eliminate a slum like, unsafe, stucture in order to benefit all concerned. It is approuching the point of being uninhabitable which will then leave us with another Parkview. At least this owner is willing to do something that will make ALL concerned safer, while improving the the site.
Gosh. Have the owners of the Park View and the Warrington requested a demolition permit as the owners of the Whitfield have?
Believe it or not, OG should be no worse for wear and maybe better off at the loss of the Whitfield Hotel.
Other nearby shore communities have made grave mistakes. Spring Lake was the “Irish Riviera,” with grand hotels and first-class service, with the likes of Hotel Monmouth, the Essex and Sussex, and the Warren. Now, it is a bland, neutered, suburb-by-the-sea that no one thinks about. Spring Lake has about as much gravitas as Ridgewood, Wayne Township, or Holmdel! There are rich residents there, maybe for a few weeks in the year. They contribute property taxes, but not much else. We control our community. So what is it to be? I am going to watch the Stepford Wives, and contemplate.
The Whitfield is 1000% better condition then the Park View that has been sitting there for 6 years now and the Warrington that’s falling apart.
The Home Owners Assoc. has done nothing to assist the residents in the area of these buildings. Poor T.Bell has been fighting to demo the Park View for years with no back up from the Home Owners.
All that the Homeowners Assoc. does is approve condo’s in town; isn’t that wonderful. Just look at how they didn’t address the condos on Surf Ave. I guess they approved.
For those people concerned with the number of derelict bldgs in OG -You can easily contact the HOA commitee for a pretty good answer to that question.
Getting back to the Whitfield,as a resident on Surf Ave.I can vouch for the fact the building as well as its residents have been a plague to the neighborhood for many years.
The police are continually involved in trying to keep it’s residents from creating situations that endanger themselves, neighbors and the property itself by keeping the bldg. safe from being destroyed by fire. We have all witnessed first hand what that means here on Surf Ave.
Demolition is a sad ending for the building,but in terms of OG, even if a buyer could be found with the means to renovate it, consider if we want another monstrosity such as the one already in our midst.
Most, I love the move-ahead, clear, and most-certainly Germanic tone of this post. It is as though no humans lived in the structure, and it is an abstract real estate construct. Maybe that is appropriate for New Jersey – dead communities. Spring Lake – dead, Deal – dead. Ocean Grove?
Re. 2. Does anybody know how many derelict buildings there are in Ocean Grove?
In 90 days there will be an HPC meeting to rule on the demo permit. It’s on the schedule for Dec. 10.
Questioner: The OGHOA volunteered to be responsible for keeping track of derelict houses in the Grove. Following through demolition hearings and even the actual demo should be part of their task.
Was there any mention of a schedule? Sounds like approval in about 90 days. Was there any plan proposed for what happens after that?
Questions, 1.Why isn’t the Home Owners Association involved in everything?
2, How many derelict houses/buildings are there in Ocean Grove? Anybody?
It is sad because of what it represents. Every derelict building represents the lives of people, and we should view tear-downs (as with the Sampler) from that perspective.
And speaking of that perspective, where was the Home Owners Association special committee on derelict housing? Why weren’t they there offering an opinion? What exactly do they do besides not showing up for a demolition hearing?
Not sad. Appropriate.