What will Ocean Grove’s northern skyline look like in the future? Paul Goldfinger photo 2007 taken from the Fishing Pier. ©
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
We have been reporting that the North End Redevelopment Plan (NERP) is now on the “front burner” according to the Camp Meeting Association (CMA) and, according to a recent statement by the Home Owners Association, that the HOA had recently caused changes to be made to the Plan.
Blogfinger learned that the latter assertion was not true, but there was concern that the “front burner” might be too close for comfort.
We pointed out that a Redevelopment Agreement would be needed before any work could begin and that such an agreement needs to be negotiated between the Township and the Developers. But we were also worried about the sequence of events, especially after a Township official said that he thought those NJDEP approvals had already been obtained. The concern was focused in particular on the impact of a “below grade” parking garage located between the Ocean and Wesley Lake. And we had no information as to whether essential final construction/ engineering plans had been completed.
A knowledgeable citizen, Jack Bredin, informed us that no such approvals had been obtained and that final construction plans needed to be done first. He thought that the project was hopelessly mired and that the NERP, as it stands now, “will never be built.”
But we needed confirmation from the Township, and today we heard from the Township Clerk—-Rick Cuttrell. His office is where official documents live, and the Township is the place where we the people need to go to find out the truth. That is why local government transparency is so important for us.
Cuttrell said, “There have been no construction plans and/or drawings submitted for the North End Redevelopment . The next step in the process is to negotiate and execute a Redevelopment Agreement with the Redeveloper. Plans cannot be submitted, and hence no approvals from public agencies granted, without the existence of a signed Redevelopment Agreement.
“In response to your specific question about DEP approvals for the underground parking, I do not have record of any DEP approvals for the underground parking.”
Thank you Rick Cuttrell, Neptune Township Clerk. And thank you Jack Bredin, a citizen activist who is willing to speak out.
We now have a less murky guide to the situation. Of course we don’t know what discussions are now going on in the background, but it appears certain that there is a long road ahead before the NERP becomes reality. We also have a new word: instead of “Developer,” we now will be using “Redeveloper.”
And the citizens of Ocean Grove who are opposed to the massive North End project will have to pay attention and stay involved.
The HOA North End Committee should change course and publicly oppose the entire plan. They should advocate for a park or a beautiful single family home neighborhood over there, distinctive from the crowded and unsightly Asbury Park condo approach on the other side of the Lake. But, keep in mind that the Redevelopers/owners of that North End property are private entities and they do have rights.
COLDPLAY. ” A Sky Full of Stars.” 2015 Grammy Nominee. This goes out to Wisher of Ocean Grove:
“‘Cause you’re a sky, cause you’re a sky full of stars
I’m gonna give you my heart
‘Cause you’re a sky, cause you’re a sky full of stars
‘Cause you light up the path”
This title seems best
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuPJzzcV6jA
By 1912, the Casino Building in Asbury Park, the south half acre of the AP boardwalk,the North half acre of the OG boardwalk, the North End Pavilion,and the North End Hotel were “dove-tailed” together like five pieces of a jig saw puzzle.
The restoration of the portion that is within the North End Redevelopment area is compatible with the historic character of Ocean Grove. However, the major problem with the NERP is trying to “shoehorn” 85 residential units into a section of block (1), where the North End cafeteria and swimming pool were located.
I agree with Blogfinger, the Township Committee needs to take a second look at this plan and the zoning. That would be up to our new Mayor Mary Beth Jahn.
Bo: The word used was “unsightly” not “eyesore.” That harsh AP skyline over there would be in sharp contrast to something soft and beautiful happening on the OG side. You can already see an example of that if you walk over to Founders Park.
The condition of Ocean Grove’s infrastructure is not on the agenda at this post.
Your conclusion about the ultimate fate of the North End is pure fantasy at this point.
The Montclair State University Center for Cooperative Media’s NJ News Commons has placed the Blogfinger article about the OG North End at the top of today’s (Feb 5) edition of “Must Reads.”
link: http://njnewscommons.org/must-reads/
You are so right. The OG Homeowners Association is negligent in terms of assessing and representing all its members–both year round and seasonal.
Its initial response was to assume a green light for the project and to make a few minor conditional amendatory recommendations in terms of construction time, delivery routes, etc. Post Sandy, it never considered the major environmental concerns expressed at that time by governmental and environmental groups regarding the negative potential of such construction.
The OGHOA needs to get to work reviewing such data as well as past arguments made in litigation brought by Kevin Chambers supporting appropriate zoning.
The Camp Meeting Association wants to make money on the deal But it has not revealed its contract with WAVE as to who gets what. That should be the first step it takes to enlist the confidence of its land tenants–all of us–for any North End future plans.
Rick Cuttrell’s answer is misleading. The correct order of events should be:
Step 1. The 2008 North End Redevelopment plan ( conceptual, general area of buildings )
Step 2. The redeveloper prepares formal site-plans ( exact location of buildings, elevations, engineering, engineering estimate of cost, etc.)
Step 3. A Redevelopers agreement
Step 4. Prepare construction plans
NOTE: Rick Cuttrell leaves out step 2.
A. Without formal site plans (step 2) you cannot enter into a redeveloper’s agreement
B. Without step 2 you cannot prepare construction plans.
The Township’s position is that the conceptual 2008 plan is a formal site plan. This conclusion is inconsistent with law.
The condos that border Wesley Lake in Asbury are not an eyesore. An eyesore are the conditions of the sidewalks, avenues, streets, pathways, oceanways and any other way a vehicle, pet or human has to venture on in Ocean Grove!
The North End Redevelopment zone will be a parking facility, and NERP will have no hands in it at all in the end. Sorry boys!