By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
The process of redeveloping the North End of Ocean Grove has been starting and stopping since the current plan (NERP) was approved in 2008 and a redeveloper (WAVE) was selected. The next step was to be a signed redevelopment agreement between the redeveloper and Neptune Township.
The last time negotiations re-started was before Sandy in 2012. After that, the process got sidetracked, and there was talk that the Camp Meeting wanted to change the plan to eliminate the underground garage. We have no independent confirmation of that, and the last word from the CMA, per Mr. Gradone, COO, is that they will proceed with the original plan. Mr. Gradone said in 2014 that the project was presently on the “front burner.”
Now there is speculation that the efforts to re-negotiate and sign a redevelopment agreement may soon be underway again. It should be noted that such an agreement must be based on the original 2008 plan. Although small changes could be made, any fundamental change such as substituting single family homes instead of condos, could require trashing the plan and starting the process over, including public meetings.
Because of the huge public interest in Ocean Grove regarding the North End project, it would be helpful if Mayor Jahn would report on the North End Redevelopment Plan’s progress at each Committee meeting. The public should be kept informed regarding this issue.
It is important that all Grovers read the October 12, 2012 editorial on Blogfinger which is linked under Jack Bredin’s comment (click “comments”below.) That piece is very informative as are the 39 comments including some provocative ones by our (now) Mayor Mary Beth Jahn.
BILL WITHERS (in honor of our new mayor who, we hope, will shine some light on the process and update her 2012 Blogfinger remarks:)
DEP should have something to say about the North End development; there in a flood zone there; thank you Sandy.
There have been no changes in the NERP since 2008.
Have any of these plans been reviewed since Irene and Sandy? Even with the outflow gate wide open and the lake level lowered Wesley Lake overflowed and the surf filled the old pool and gutted that pavilion. Underground parking?
1. Wasn’t the Mayor last re-elected as the result of major support from voters in Ocean Grove?
2. Didn’t the Township Committee member who lives and conducts a business in Ocean Grove promise at a public OGHOA meeting that the contract between WAVE and the CMA would become visible during negotiations as well as the principals in WAVE besides Mr. Gannon?
3. And a major question to be answered: What will be the tax status of the various facilities if they are to be built? The condos? The single-family homes? And will the hotel from heaven be taxed like any other hotel in the township–maybe a little more with its ocean view like the rest of OG properties?
Sorry, but the Atlantic Ocean has dibs on the underground parking so let’s just continue to move forward toward a multi-level seasonal metered parking facility that will be well above flood stage.
Our current Mayor Mary Beth Jahn made the following comment on Oct 14, 2012: “The Township Committee’s redevelopment plan that was passed was subject to parking to accommodate the Hotel guests and Condo owners—–No underground parking, no project.”
Editor’s note: this quote is from Mayor Jahn’s comments as part of this article “Scale Back the North End Redevelopment” by Charles Layton and Paul Goldfinger. October 12, 2012. Her comment (above) is dated 10/14/12. You can read the article and see that comment by going to the link below.—-PG
https://blogfinger.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/editorial-scale-back-the-north-end-redevelopment/?preview=true&preview_id=69219&preview_nonce=1b95d0d119