Blogfinger photo. Corner of New Jersey and Clark. Ocean Grove, NJ
Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net
A couple of neighbors were standing across the street watching the demolition in progress. They looked and sounded forlorn.
One of them has lived in town for many years and he speculated about how this important historic house could have come to this.
He said that there were a number of actors in the cast of characters who might have been involved in this wreckage: Neptune Township, HOA, HPC, Historical Society, owners of the home, State history officials, and OG contractors who didn’t know how to deal with the situation.
What would the State and National historic registers think about what happened to #104 Clark?
We have no precise information as how these pieces fit together in a town where historic preservation should come naturally and expertly.
The conversation drifted to the North End where some of the same characters reappear and where chaos currently reigns. He also pointed at the Neptune governance (zoning and tax exploitation) and the manipulative Grovarian residents/investors who live here and see Ocean Grove as a place to exploit for money.
I can see how concerned residents can connect the dots between 104 Clark and the disgraceful mess at the North End.
PATSY CLINE:
Interesting that the Township would buy a historic house that wasn’t a burden to anyone, yet the burned out shell on Broadway that cost a man his life is being rebuilt even though at least 90% of the building is lost and therefore should have been condemned and replaced with a single family house.
Clearly there is serious corruption involved since the lot only permits a single family use in its rebuilding.
25 September 2023 Neptune Township meeting.
Mr. Williams (Committee). asked about Resolution 23-345 and 23-346 regarding the demolition of the property on 104 Clark Ave and if the property was owned by the Township.
Ms. Siboni the CFO certification of accounts. 23-345 is authorize an agreement to demo the property and 23-346 is to place a lien on the property.
The sale and funds will funnel back into the Township.
Mr. Williams asked if the demolition costs will be on the expense of the Township.
Ms. Siboni and Mayor Cafferty confirmed that the public sale of the property will come back to the Township.
David H. Fox
The house in question appeared on the OGOD website with 19th century and 1920 images. The roof has been changed in shape at least twice. The current gingerbread did not appear in the 1920 photo nor did the two-story porch.
The cottage was a Victorianized mid-century house externally. Its replacement will likely be Victorianized as well.
Merriam-Webster: Victorianize: to make Victorian (as in style or taste)
This overwhelming zoning corruption can all be traced back to the awful planner of Neptune Township. This terrible planner who hasn’t done anything to protect Ocean Grove has instead done everything in her power to damage the community.
Kevin Chambers
As the prior owner said in your previous piece, “It became too expensive for us to maintain and pay taxes on. Unfortunately, renting it out was also not an option since it needed too much work to make it safe to do so.”
The problem is that there are numerous houses similar to this on on Clark. How do you choose which ones to save/repair/condemn?
Where will the funds come to save/repair/ them all? Why should current residents pay to repair houses that prior residents failed to maintain/neglected?
While I sincerely lament the loss, as a practical matter it’s up to owners to keep these houses in good shape.