To the Editor:
I would like to suggest that Ocean Grove/ Neptune Township address the ever increasing parking problem by erecting a high rise parking garage facility on the corner of Route 71 and Main Street. It could replace the school and incorporate the adjacent lot on Lawrence Avenue. It might be six or seven stories tall with residences with decks facing the ocean and overlooking all of Ocean Grove.
Trolleys could be used to shuttle people up and down Main to the beach. The two lots to be used could probably house a few hundred cars in this facility along with public restrooms and perhaps a police sub station. This facility would go a long way to relieve congestion for residents and may allow for specially marked parking slots at their residences. Surely a few hundred extra parking spaces would certainly be good for merchants, who in return put additional money back into the community.
In winter residents who live close enough may opt to park in the garage during snow events , allowing the cleaning of the streets in front of their houses like never before . There would also be the opportunity to house some of the parking for shows at the Great Auditorium, and better still, the traffic exiting would be much better handled. There would also be the opportunity to house the parking for shows at the Great Auditorium, and better still the traffic exiting would be much better handled.
This idea is good for OG, good for Neptune, good for residents, and good for tourists. Ocean Grove will no longer be ” always a bridesmaid and never a bride” Costs could be covered to build through bonds—-currently at excellent rates. It’s all good; let’s start a conversation. I’m sure my thoughts only scratch the surface of the good this facility can do for all of us.
EDDIE FAUST
Ocean Grove, NJ, June 10, 2014
Editor’s note:
Futuristic garage holds 600 cars in a 200 foot silo. From the London Daily Mail
I bet there are quite a few Grovers who are protective of their special cars and would be willing to rent a space in a garage,helping to open up more street spaces.
underlake parking ?
parking over the lake
I bought in Ocean Grove with full knowledge of the summer time parking difficulties. (Did you?)
I doubt there is any desirable Jersey shore town that does not have this problem. This topic has been debated to death without a reasonable proposal put forward yet about what to do. What needs to be done or should/could be done are different questions.
Building a parking facility has never been shown to be economically viable. Forget using eminent domaine. And how would enabling more cars to come to Ocean Grove help residents’ complaints? Find parking spaces? Talk on but be realistic.
A solution that increases Neptune revenue rather than costing money would be nice.
I will just accept that this person is recently moved to O.G. and is slightly touched. Parking need? Absolutely a need. Tear down the school? Lay down-take a nap this insane thought will pass.
No one can deny that OG severely lacks parking during the summer and some special events; and that something needs to be done. I like OG and especially enjoy its beach. So, from a visitor’s point of view, a parking deck, or some other type of parking facility, seems to be a good idea. I can understand the views of the residents who oppose such an idea, but I believe such a facility could pay for itself in the long run and would bring additional revenue to the town. Although I don’t get a vote, it is a topic which I believe should be debated and not just tossed to the wayside.
And people complain about pink bows being ugly ??
I Live on Seaview Ave. Parking is a problem in June, July and August. I cannot move my car to go to the store. I WOULD not find another spot when I return. Why not open the lot at the North End and charge so much for the day until they decide to build? OG can make money and it would help with the residents parking just for now. The land is just sitting there. Asbury has a lot as big as ours and charges $15.00/per day. If I recall, years ago, visitors were parking in the North End lot.
First of all the idea needs refinement. The performing arts center needs to be enhanced. It is an integral part of the community. It also needs adequate parking for hopefully an increase in performances in its lovely boutique theater.
(It could also benefit in that regard from creating a repertory theatrical group.)
But returning to the parking garage, my on- site experience in Florida has seen the creation of such facilities with commercial rentals on the first floor;.condos on upper floors
Imagine going from the existing “old high school” to Broadway (and retaining the Victorian house on the corner) with a parking garage. How? Eminent domain could provide the existing four car-related companies the option of having the ground floor.
Where do the initial construction bucks come from? The township has the capability of floating municipal bonds. The county could also assist in that respect. This is an economic issue that impacts on both levels of government.
Continuing dollars for maintenance, where do they come from?. First floor rentals have already been cited. Others, the hotels and b&bs in Ocean Grove can assist by having their guests park there and have a shuttle (i.e., golf carts) to their respective facilities. Winters it can be used for storing cars, etc.
North End is a terrible idea. In peak season, we need to delimit the amount of traffic through the enclave.
It is definitely an idea worth exploring. But key to such exploration would be the combined collaborative efforts of the Camp Meeting Association, the Chamber of Commerce, the Homeowners Association, and the Neptune Township Committee.
TCos, you must not live anywhere north of Main. After 5 PM parking is a problem ANYTIME of the week everywhere in the North End. During the Summer season, with the influx of tenters, beach goers, Asbury parking meter scoffers and the short, narrow one way streets, it’s multiplied greatly all day long. Weekends are just a lost cause, not just “for a few hours on Saturday nights”.
Ed, it’s an interesting topic and you have put some thought into it for sure. But, I have to say, I don’t see OG as having a parking problem except for the North East section during the summer and of course the whole north end for a few hours on Saturday nights in the summer.
Who would benefit from a parking garage? Some of the business perhaps? Do we really need more people to come to our town?
I say keep it a secret. Let’s be selfish and have the whole town to ourselves. The beach is already crowded on the best days – no need for more. Do we want reservations only or long lines at all the restaurants? OG is the bride (not the bridesmaid) and we must protect her! :-)
Why would you ever tear down the old High School? It’s a performing arts center now and a historic building. Isn’t that what Ocean Grove is all about?
I live in this town specifically to avoid the ugliness of parking garages and the like.
I believe they are talking about where the old white elementary school use to stand
I live right there, and several years ago my neighbors and I spent almost 2-years fighting (successfully) a developer’s proposal to put a 62-unit, three story (as high as the school) condo building with balconies looking in to my backyard.
While the lot is empty now, another developer owns it (and uses it as a construction dumping ground/storage yard, much to my chagrin) and I’m sure when the market turns around, they’ll want to do something similar. (because, you know, single family homes would be a CRAZY idea.) 6 or 7 levels? No thank you.
I would actually be fine with a surface lot where the empty lot stands today and wish the arts center had kept the property and done that. When there are big events at the school, parking is atrocious. I could even live with at two level structure. But 6 or 7, while maybe solving some parking issues, would be an eyesore and destroy that part of the neighborhood. Plus, that land is part of the historic district – I doubt it would ever get past the HPC and/or zoning.
I am assuming the Letter is “tongue-in-cheek” – why would we replace the restored school, which looks nice and provides much needed cultural services, with a building that will not age so nicely…
However much a combination parking/retail facility for Ocean Grove makes sense,it won’t happen. The old High School and adjoining lot are not ‘owned’ or whatever term is used these days by Neptune or the CMA.
That whole corridor along rt 71 from Main to Broadway is one of the first impressions many get when coming to Ocean Grove. What do they see? A vacant, weed filled lot and ugly, crumbling retail and warehouse structures. If ever there was an area in need of redevelopment, it’s there. The Broadway entrance is nice and welcoming, the rest? Well ….
“replace the school” . Don’t think that is going to happen. It is a historic building. Quite nice on the inside. The school has become in its role as an Arts center an important feature and go to place for OG.
Knock down a historic Arts center to put up a parking garage ? Bad idea.
If there really needs to be a parking garage it should be at North end area. However there are other plans for that area if they ever get going.
Here is an admittedly wacky idea : Staten Island ferry boats have not allowed/held cars since 9-11. How about OG/Neptune purchase cheaply one or two of the decommissioned Staten Island ferry boats that used to hold cars(hundreds). Dock ’em at north end to accomodate cars when having events.
Who pays for this?