The old North End Hotel was built in 1911 and had 255 rooms. At that time, most visitors came by train.

Whenever the North End Redevelopment Plan comes up, someone is sure to want to talk about parking.   When the plan was developed in 2008, that subject was on everybody’s mind.  In fact, a law suit was filed to try and block the project.  In 2010 the law suit was dismissed, so it was just a glitch in the inexorable movement towards actually busting shovels into the ground over there.

Here are the provisions regarding parking in the North End as envisioned by the Camp Meeting Association and the Redeveloper:

Off-street parking requirements: one parking space per hotel room; approximately two spaces per condo unit (in compliance with RSIS standards); one space for each 300 square feet of banquet, conference or restaurant space in the hotel.

*Other parking requirements: Off-street parking for the hotel and residential structures must be below ground and sheltered from street view, although the below-ground lot or lots may rise a maximum of 3 ½ feet above street level. A maximum of 20 surface parking spaces are permitted for loading, valet and pickup/drop-off, provided that these spaces are screened from public view. Any existing on-street parking spaces eliminated due to the development must be compensated for with additional on-site spaces.

You should note that the underground parking garage was to be, at most, 3 1/2 feet above ground.  However, after Sandy, there may be a problem with that garage design.  No engineering data has been made public in that regard, but we note that the Township Engineer was present at the planning meeting of two days ago. ? why.  The DEP has not weighed in on this garage plan.