Blogfinger

Heck Avenue, by Jack Bredin. This is the sort of Ocean Grove which we should have at the North End.

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.

It took 12 years, but now a Redevelopers Agreement will be signed for the commercial redevelopment of the Ocean Grove North End.  The document is well over 100 pages and was probably prepared by the re-development lawyer who was hired to make sure that this happens.  Only individuals with specialized knowledge can dig into this monster and judge if it is OK.

The Township Attorney evidently went for it as did the Township Chief Financial Officer.  The latter even certified that the re-developers have the financial credibility and “strength” needed, but this document gives no tangible financial information.  No specific  costs are mentioned, and there is no “letter of credit” presented either.  They are supposed to show us guarantees that they have enough money for the project—-where are those guarantees?

The document begins by saying that this plan is “in the best interest of the Township.”   But is it in the best interest of the historic community of Ocean Grove?

There will be about 39 condos, 2 and 3 bedroom.  The underground garage will house 140 cars, and there will be 10 single family homes.  In addition, there will be a 40 room “boutique” hotel as well as retail spaces.  The document does not address how this project will affect the quality of life for those who inhabit and love this town.

The Home Groaners sent the document around by email, but do you suppose they read it, and perhaps had a citizen’s lawyer look it over?  They used to have a legal fund; well now would be a good time to use it instead of the secretive spending of  HOA money used to look into ground rents.

If you were at the Flea Market today and saw all those tourists having a swell time, you will understand that visitors will like the new OG/Asbury Park South End.  But we who live here will imagine the crowds, the traffic, the pollution, and, like the Flea Market, we will ask who will benefit from this grand scheme?

This would never have happened if the Township Committee back then had considered what was best for the Grove when they illegally allowed the existing single family zoning, per the Master Plan, to be flushed down the toilet to be replaced with the zoning that would benefit developers.  To call this a “Zone in Need of Redevelopment” was a travesty, and the CMA was complicit.

Our reporter will attend the meeting.  Hopefully he won’t explode from outrage.  We will have some more information on September 10.

RINGO STARR:   From the Concert for George.