Casual dining off Cookman. Asbury Park. Paul Goldfinger photo. 2021.
Asbury Park continues to find itself. That will be better than to constantly focus on Cookman Avenue. Their boardwalk is exciting in season, but throngs of tourists show up.
It seems that Asbury is beginning to focus on their residential population which doesn’t only mean wealthy buyers of expensive condominiums. But you can see many small buildings being occupied by families whose interests lie with the schools, diversity, a growing art scene including music, performing arts and religion.
Undoubtedly the next area to develop will be Main Street, but can they steer that into a place of cultural varieties including cuisines, which can be designated consciously for lower and middle class residents and visitors? Another Cookman will be a mistake.
Inexpensive housing is needed for young people just starting out, couples, poor, and working folks. And can the forces of segregation be addressed? And try to attract 20-30 somethings with new ideas and interests.
How about a college campus extension in town? What about a Jewish school or a Catholic school with uniforms?
And one of my interests is music but can the planners recognize jazz, country, The American Songbook, pop, classical Latin and other music languages–including street musicians and small combo’s like New Orleans? And how about more variety in shopping?
It’s too bad O. Grove hasn’t been breaking into different directions.
Good luck to them as A. Park moves ahead to be a place for all the people.
BILLY JOEL: “Leave a Tender Moment.”
Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net