HELP! LIBRARY SQUARE PARK in Asbury Park.

HELP! HELP!

Library Square Park in Asbury Park needs more help. Why?

A few years ago, a group of concerned citizens finally got help to restore Library Sqaure Park in Asbury Park New Jersey. A fountain was restored. Flowers and Trees planted. A sprinkler system was installed. Lights around the fountain.

The beginnning of the restoration took place while the Boardwalk Area Redevelopment dragged along. The park is between Asbury Ave and 1st Ave with the Asbury Park Library across Grand Avenue. Someday, the old, crumbling Metropolitan Hotel east of the park will be gone and replaced by condos.

After all the hard work, vandals have begun to destroy what was replaced after all these years. Lights broken. Plants dug up. Sprinklers destroyed.

Help is needed to catch the ones responsible and to restore the damage. In an effort to curb further damage, it has been suggested cameras be installed to monitor the park around the clock. The problem is, funds would be needed to pay for this.

If anyone wishes to contribute time or funds to this cause, drop me a note

Experience Asbury

New Entertainment, Dining and Shopping Options Debut as Madison Marquette and Asbury Partners Finalize Joint Venture Agreement

ASBURY PARK, N.J., June 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Madison Marquette
announced today the formation of Experience Asbury, a joint venture with
Asbury Partners to redevelop and revitalize the entire Asbury Park
boardwalk. The formation coincides with the commencement of major
improvement projects, including the rehabilitation of the famed Paramount
Theatre and Convention Hall.
"Summer 2007 marks the return of Asbury Park as a preeminent cultural,
dining, shopping and beach recreation destination," said Gary Mottola,
President of Madison Marquette Investments, the managing partner of the new
joint venture. The redevelopment zone stretches over 1.25 miles of
oceanfront property and includes Asbury Park's historic boardwalk,
pavilions, Casino Building and Paramount Theatre and Convention Hall.
Paramount Theatre Rehabilitation
Madison Marquette is near completion of a historic rehabilitation of
the historic Paramount Theatre. A grand reopening celebration is scheduled
for Friday, June 29 and will feature the debut of "Attention Span of a
Fly," an original performance from Kennedy Center Award-Winning New Jersey
playwright, Ben Clawson.
Larry Potter of Landmark Studio in Pittstown, New Jersey, is completing
the theater's restoration. The 1,500-seat venue was originally built in
1930 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It was
designed by the famed architecture firm of Warren and Wetmore and was
widely considered one of the most magnificent theaters of the early 20th
century. Anchoring the North end of the Asbury Park boardwalk, it is an
enduring symbol of the city's rich history and culture.
This summer the Paramount will house a variety of live performances. A
new in-residence theatre company, Park Players, will host a series of
plays. Christopher Barker, Executive Director of Highlands Regional
Playhouse in Allendale, New Jersey has founded the theatre company with his
brother, Jonathan Barker. "We were so excited about the restoration of this
theater and the entire boardwalk area that we created Park Players," said
Christopher Barker.
New Jersey's Metro Lyric Opera is sponsoring an opera series at
Paramount Theatre that includes two performances, Traviata on July 21 and
Barber of Seville on August 4. Additional individual concerts and events
are scheduled throughout the season.
"The Paramount Theatre is once again the center of Asbury Park's
cultural life," said Mr. Mottola. "These performances will breathe
important new life into summer nights at the boardwalk."
New Retail and Dining Options
Madison Marquette is adding several new retail and dining options for
boardwalk patrons this summer. In the former Howard Johnson's building,
successful restaurateur Gabe Marabella has opened Salt Water Beach Cafe, a
relaxed beach concept serving an upscale American menu. Outdoor seating
allows guests to enjoy the beach and boardwalk while dining and 'Boardwalk
Menu' allows beachgoers to satisfy their hunger without losing any time in
the sun.
"Asbury Park is officially reborn and I am looking forward to helping
usher in a new era," said Mr. Marabella, an experienced restaurateur best
known for his Marabella's Restaurants in Philadelphia and southern New
Jersey shore area.
New retail options include: Hot Sand, a glass-blowing artisan; Brielle
Cyclery, a bicycle shop; Cabana Club, a new entertainment club; Casa Di
Formaggio, a panini sandwich shop; and the Beach Bar. "These great
additions are just the beginning of our efforts to repopulate the
oceanfront with exciting new dining and retail offerings," said Mr.
Mottola.
Landscaping and Pavilion Improvements
Experience Asbury has already made significant improvements to the
landscaping and physical appearance of the Asbury Park oceanfront area. A
park-like setting has been created with green spaces now filling the areas
between the pavilions. Flowers and additional seating are also featured.
In front of the Paramount Theatre, a plaza has been created with custom
brick-work and ample seating where live music will be performed throughout
the summer. A portion of the Casino Building has also now been opened to
allow for passageway on the boardwalk. A beatification program has been
implemented for the pavilions and several surrounding buildings.
"The improvements are a fundamental part of making Asbury Park a
special destination," said Mr. Mottola. "They signify our commitment to
Asbury Park and are just a preview of the exciting changes now afoot."
About Madison Marquette
Madison Marquette is a Washington, D.C.-based investor, developer and
operator of retail and retail mixed-use real estate throughout the United
States. The company specializes in creating unique retail destinations that
respond best to consumer preferences. With regional offices in New York,
Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Seattle, San Diego
and Ft. Lauderdale, Madison Marquette seeks investment opportunities in
growing markets. The company maintains a sophisticated in-house operating
capability and oversees 23 million square feet of retail real estate. This
diverse national portfolio includes many properties that Madison Marquette
manages and leases on behalf of third-party owners.

Memories Wanted of the Jersey Shore

On our website, asburyboardwalk.com, readers have been submitted their memories of Asbury Park along with old photos and more.

Do you have memories of Asbury Park or have photos to share? We love to have them to add to the site.

Visit what others have sent - maybe it will trigger a memory. A love, space, a time, fun.

Do you have a memory of another town, a different summer, we'll take those as well.

Submit your story today.

The New Jersey Boardwalks

We all love or loved the Asbury Park Boardwalk. From the early 80's to just last year (let's use 25 years), the boardwalk just sat. Sat empty on hot summer days and nights. A Ghost town.

Even the new redevelopment effort had and has critics. Not only was the boardwalk empty, so was the downtown - Cookman Avenue.

Over the past several years, new merchants came to Cookman Avenue. Now, you have to find parking to eat in one of the many restaraunts. Take your pick, your sure to find a great meal.

Now, what about "other" boardwalks in New Jersey and what do they have to offer?

We will start our journey in Keansburg - the Keansburg Amusement Park and work our down to Cape May. We'll use the official 127 miles of the "Jersey Shore" and explore what each "boardwalk" town has to offer. From peace and quiet to the traditional boardwalk many of us grew up with. How long will these remain?

How many traditons have survived?

Keansburg, Long Branch, Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach, Avon, Belmar, Spring Lake, Sea Girt, Manasquan, Point Pleasant, Seaside, Atlantic City, Ocean City, Wildwood and Cape May.

Follow us as we begin our tour and stay tuned as we update it.

The Jersey Shore Boardwalks
http://www.asburyboardwalk.com/boardwalks/boardwalks.htm

Asbury Partners and Madison Marquette Tie the Knot

On June 11, Asbury Partners and Madison Marquette officially became partners in the Asbury Park Waterfront Redevelopment. Madison Marquette will be contributing upwards of $200 million in capital along with their national retail development and marketing expertise.

Their work has been evident the past several months, with temporary repairs and making the construction area more presentable along with some preliminary marketing. Most notably, they managed to reopen the former Howard Johnson's as the Salt Water Cafe and plans to open the Paramount Theatre the last week of June.

They also plan on creating new plans for various tracts in the Waterfront Redevelopment Area, including more parking then the current plan.

Hopefully, their skills in development will keep the ball rolling in Asbury.

While the Esperanza complex is beginning to get a foundation, North Beach Asbury and Wesley Grove are welcoming their first residents.

Opportunities still exist to purchase pre-construction at the Esperanza or to move in this summer at North Beach.

Contact:
David Dorfman
Gilman Commercial Realty LLC
Residential and Commercial
Office: 732-517-0088
Cell: 732-539-2914

From Wildwood to Asbury - A day on the Jersey Shore

I woke up Saturday morning iwht nothing really planned. Ocean Grove was having their giant flea/craft fair and my sister was working this with her stuff. So I hopped on my bicycle and off I went - through Deal, Allenhurst and Loch Arbour anf finally along the Boardwalk. This is always the best part, for some reason. North Beach under construction, the quick foul smell of the sewer plant. Once you reach convention hall, you ride through at 8 am and the the air inside is cool and you look down the whole boardwalk to the Casino. This entire stretch of the boardwalk is all new. The Casino is once again opened for passage and through I went. New roof. Into Ocean Grove I rode and walked around the festival. Free sample of Kettle Corn, got a "caribbean" iced tea and braided pretzel. How could you resist? Then for some reason, I came across a postcard that I hadn't seen of Asbury. $8.00. Oh well.

I hung out for a while and rode back to Ocean Township. Shook my daughter up and siad let's go for a ride. She got a jeep and has a permit and I want her to drive around some. "Where?", she asked. Wildwood, I said.

We got down to Wildwood, parked and got out. I told her all I wanted was a Kohr's Ice Cream and a cheesesteak. We walked around some and she commented on the people and some of the stuff that was going on. We then noticed they had a motocross event on the beach. So we paid and watched that for a while. Ate a burger, walked around and then she told me she never really liked boardwalks. Like her mom, I thought.

I got the hint and found a Kohr's. I got my favorite - the orange and vanilla in a cone. She got a vanilla. She couldn't even eat the whole thing. Dad, this is REAL. Real heavy. They'll admit it. Same recipe since 1920's. Fat and more. Yum. Like eating a filet mignon. Actaully, I once saw an old hershey bar wrapper with the slogan "more nuttious then meat". Well, so was this Kohrs.

We hopped back in the jeep and worked our way along the shore towns heading north. All thos cute little bungalow towns long gone. Most replaced with the same 3 story, narrow lot home. No one outside. Boring. We wiggled our way to Ocean City, where we once again hopped out. She looked around and "nope". Off we headed north. We drove through Atlantic City and we were tired. So we headed back to the parkway and got home by 7pm. My grand tour. BUT, we drove back through Asbury, where she remarked how unique and different Asbury WAS and IS. It has it's own life, identity.


That night, I needed something to do. I wound up on the boardwalk in Long Branch, I mean Pier Village. Packed. NO place to sit for even a drink. So I jumped back in the car and went to Asbury and wound up at the Brick Wall on Cookman Avenue. Great Burger. Then my wife called, "meet me at Rooneys". So back I went to Long Branch.

A long day on the Jersey Shore. There is something magical about the Atlantic.

Hot dogs and Fresh Air

June 1, Asbury Park New Jersey.

I made an appointment with a client to show the new condo project in Asbury Park, The Esperanza. It was hot as anything inland - around 87. "down the shore" in Asbury, a breezy 74.

I finished my appointment, then took a walk along the boardwalk to see the work taking place on the exterior of the Paramount. They redid the entrance, loads of new plantings.

The newest partners in the redevelopment of beachfront, Madison Marquette seems to have taken a lead role in at least getting the appearance of the buildings and grounds in shape. Ocean Ave has a finished roadway, the avenues leading to the great beaches are planted and look great.

I wanted to try the Salt Water Cafe, but they are not open for lunch just yet. I noticed down the boardwalk that the Mayfair was open.

Can you please burn me one, I asked and throw the bun on the grill.

A a few minutes later, I bit into my first BOARDWALK hot dog of the summer. It's a boardwalk dog because you have to eat it on the boardwalk, on a bench, looking at the ocean. The big dog on a little bun. watching the extras drip to the boardwalk while a pigeon waits nearby. Summer.

No other way.

I feel sorry for those who want them out in Colorado, Texas, California, Florida - the list is endless. Something that is always missed.

Salt Water Cafe

Promising a "cool, hip cafe on the beach," Madison Marquette is set to open the new Salt Water Beach Cafe on schedule at 4 p.m. Saturday in the former Howard Johnson's on the boardwalk.

Gabe Marabella, a seasoned Philadelphia and South Jersey restaurateur, is the operating partner. Marabella has been married for 28 years to Mottola's sister.

Madison Marquette, which signed an agreement with Asbury Partners to take over the entertainment and retail redevelopment, still has to sign a developer's agreement with the city. Those negotiations are expected to be ongoing over the next month.

Last week, at the city's Chamber of Commerce luncheon (that I was at) Mottola said a refurbished Paramount Theatre will open July 1.

The Salt Water will start with seating on the first floor and is expected shortly to open the upstairs. Kevin O'Kane is the Philadelphia-trained chef.

For the first week, the Salt Water will be open daily from 4 to 11 p.m . By the following weekend, it will open for lunch with hours of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily except for Tuesdays when it will be closed.

Dinners will offer small-plate items in the $12 to $16 range and entrees in the $20 vicinity.

The restaurant wants to draw in the beach crowd.

"If you're in your bathing suit, you need a shirt and shoes," he said. "We'll also have 50 outdoor seats and a boardwalk menu."

This is the beginning of restoring the 5th ave Pavillion with the closed bandshell on the 2nd floor. Earlier plans had called for the demolition of the structure.

Madison Marquette - Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

On May 17, 2007, Madison Marquette's Gary Mottola gave a brief presentation of their plans as managing member of Asbury Partners in restoring the beachfront and more.

He plans to have the Paramount Theatre opened once again on July 1 with a number of events planned. One being bringing back the Metro Lyric Opera.

David Rockwell, New York Archtitect, has been engaged to do preliminary concept work. The planned entertainment zone near Wesley Lake, may be redesigned to adjust the retail center into the new and renovated Casino building on the boardwalk. The Casino project would not happen until 2010.

He hopes to make Ocean Avenue as well as the boardwalk a friendly walkway with a mix of retail, entertainment and special events. Walking the boardwalk yesterday, one can see Madison's input into this massive project. The streetscapes are being completed ahead of schedule and items scheduled to be finished after more building occurred will be completed first, even though it may have to be redone at some point in the future.

Mr. Mottola also has a fondness for the Jersey Shore, having grown up in Bergen County, he recalls his past summers in the Beach Haven area where he still goes. Looks like Gary will be walking the boardwalk this summer, which is welcomed. He says he knows what the Jersey Shore is - it's not a shopping center in Kansas or in Texas. This IS the Jersey Shore. This is Asbury Park.

Welcome, Mr. Mottola and Good Luck. We're counting on you.

Madison Marquette, making a difference in Asbury Park.

The Wave Gathering

Asbury Park, New Jersey. Music City Comes Alive May 18, 19, 20 as the WAVE GATHERING comes into town. The entire city comes alive with music at the traditional venues like the Stone Pony, Wonder Bar and Saint but many other local eateries are taking part as well. From Sunset Landing along Deal Lake to the all new Cookman Avenue.

That weekend, listen to music where you want, when you want. It will be easy to find in Asbury Park.

See the schedule for:

May 18
May 19
May 20

Asbury Park Real Estate

Asbury Park, New Jersey - May 1, 2007.

Real Estate Sales in Asbury Park remain steady. David Dorfman, publisher of the website asburyboardwalk.com and Real Estate Agent for Gilman Commercial Realty LLC recently noted the following on the real estate market in Asbury Park, New Jersey. All information is subject to change and information obtained from the Monmouth County MLS system, tax records and conversations with other professionals.

There are numberous units available for sale or for rent in Asbury Park. From several new developments to condo conversions - prices from $149,000 for a studio to onver $2m in the under construction Esperanza.

1. The Esperanza - 2 towers built on the Ocean at 4th Ave. 224 Units in total. PRices for a 1 bedroom begin at $385,000 up to over $2m for larger, ocean front units. The average 2 bedroom or 2 bedroom with den begin around $580,000. This project is under contruction and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2008.

2. Northbeach - 3 complexes: The Seville, The Monterey and the Barcelona. 154 units total. Approximately 17 units remain in addition to resales and rentals. Units from $450,000 to $1.3m. Rentals from $2000 per month.

3. Wesley Grove - Built along Wesley Lake facing Ocean Grove and Cookman Avenue. The link from downtown Asbury Park to the Boardwalk. Phase I consists of 91 units. Approxiamtely 41 have been sold. Rental units available from $2000 per month. Occuppancy August of 2007.

4. Downtown Asbury:
a) The Blu - 24 units from $450,000. Southbeach style in downtown.
b) The Mattison - units from $450,000
c) The Grande - converted former Jersey Central Power and Light company building. Rentals from $2,000 and resales.

5. The Steinbach - Historic renovation of a former department store. 63 units. RENTALS from $1350 per month to $2850 per month. Ground floor retail.

6. Ocean Arms (4th Ave), Shoreview (4th Ave), Park Terrace, Deal Lake Village (North Asbury) - converted apartments to Condos from $149,000.

7. The Esplande - An original condo buildng on Sunset Ave. Lake and Ocean views from upper floors.

8. The Bradley - Converted large home to 13 units. Rentals (from $2,000) to resales (from $450,000).

There are plenty more of opportunities in Asbury Park.

Please contact:
David Dorfman
Gilman Commercial Realty LLC
708 Hwy 35, Neptune NJ
(On the Asbury Circle)

732-539-2914

Asbury Park Easter Sunday

The 72nd Easter Parade returns to the Asbury Park Boardwalk and Paramount Theatre on Sunday, April 8.

Pageant competitions begin at 1:30 p.m. with the boardwalk procession where judges choose best dressed men, women, boys, girls and families and most unusual bonnets to participate in the final competitions. Gifts and prizes range from $500 U.S. Savings Bonds to gift certificates from local stores and restaurants. For more information, call (732) 502-5752.

Walk the boardwalk with judging and awards at the Paramount.

At asburyboardwalk.com - we're always looking for old photos of Asbury Park Easter Parades and more.

Email yours today.

Good-bye Golddigger

The Golddigger, one of the last original hot spots in Asbury Park is gone. Bulldozers took are of the last couple days.

One of my first beers. Pool shooting dates and long nights moping around a cold one.

After a long night working on the boardwalk or running across for a cold six-pack of michelobs.

Dust.

Garden State Film Festival March 23-25

Asbury Park's Paramount Theatre comes alive this weekend with the Garden State Film Festival.
This year, according to their release, The Garden State Film Festival proudly introduce's a new Music Category. Even before film had spoken words, there was music. Our first year brought us an outstanding list of submissions, in many different genres, and we eagerly await what we know will be an even broader list of submissions next year.

This is interesting to me, because my grandmother used to play the organ and piano in NYC theatres for the silent movies. And see spent her last days playing her little organ - in Asbury Towers, over looking the ocean.

This year, the festival includes The Baronet Theatre on 4th Ave and a couple other great AP stops.

It's Asbury, and it's changing by the day.

Madison Marquette joins Asbury Partners

Madison Marquette has signed on as the redevelopers retail and entertainment partner . In the report, they said they expect to invest between $150 and $200 million into the Asbury Park Boardwalk retail and entertainment areas. Total sq footage is estimated at 450,000 sq ft.

It may be very possible that some small rides and other attractions for the younger crowd will be part of the plans.

One of the biggest discussions over the past 30 or more years is what should the boardwalk area become- a residential community or a tourist attraction. As the debate continues on, the development under way in the boardwalk zone provides for plenty of housing. We are awaiting more details on the entertainment zone and retail components.

Will there be a Kohr's once again? Will there be national chains vs. the mom and pops we grew up loving?

Madison Marquette is leading a joint venture with Asbury Partners to develop the entertainment and retail portion of the waterfront the next three to five years. One of the first projects Madison Marquette would like to complete is the renovation of the Casino and rebuilding of the Casino's eastern portion which was torn down this winter after many years of non-use and disrepair.
Madison Marquette has proposed transforming the Casino into a specialty food market and restaurant center, possibly similar to San Francisco's Ferry Building.

The Esperanza Sales Office - 2007

METRO HOMES TO OPEN SALES OFFICE:

From $350,000 to $3m.

the most progressive looking architecture on Jersey Shore will be The Esperanza. Take alook at asburyboardwalk.com

Metro Homes, the third developer building condominiums on the beachfront, received approval from city planners this week to turn the Fourth Avenue Pavilion into a temporary, eye-catching sales office for the Esperanza high-rise as it is built during the next 18 months.

This is the same place the failed redevelopr of the skeleton known as C-8 stood for years until finally coming down with explosives.

Planners approved Metro's plans to use the pavilion and temporarily change the exterior to resemble the design of the Esperanza. The Esperanza is planned for the Ocean Avenue site of the former building shell known as C-8 on planning maps.

Geibel said Metro Homes wants to have the sales center open in 60 days. He said the pilings are finished on the Esperanza site bound by Ocean, Third and Fourth avenues and Kingsley Street. Concrete will be poured, and the building with two towers that reach 10 and 16 stories will start to come out of the ground, he said.

Berkeley-Carteret SOLD $16 million

SOLD. $16 million. Asbury may just get the taste of South Beach if the hotel is refurbished in the style of the Amersterdam Hospitality Group other holdings. Maybe not.

These guys were also a joint venture of partners who bought the Sears Tower in Chicago for $840 million in 2004. Scoop.

New York real estate investors Joseph and Jacob Chetrit bought the Berkeley-Carteret Oceanfront Hotel on Tuesday, paying $16 million for the historic 248-room building on the city's waterfront according to published reports.

Sold by Daniel and Ike Ahn. buyers were the Chetrit brothers (see Cherit Group) want to get the hotel refurbished, restored and reopened as soon as possible. The Empress Hotel, recently reopened, is the only other hotel in Asbury Park.

The brothers' company, the Chetrit Group, based in New York, has large real estate holdings around the country.

Daniel Ahn, a Queens-based entrepreneur, bought the hotel in December 1998 for $5.1 million plus $181,000 owed in back taxes. Ahn and his family refurbished the Berkeley-Carteret and kept it open through the years that the city's waterfront plans were being created, approved and financed.

My favorite piece of the hotel history:

Ahn had bought the hotel from the Maharishi Maheshi Yogi, whose organization bought it in 1994 from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. for $1.85 million, of which $625,000 was for the hotel and the remainder for back taxes and liens. At that time, the property was assessed at $3 million.

The maharishi planned to use the hotel as a Transcendental Meditation university and holistic health care center. The city did not allow those uses. The maharishi had to maintain the hotel's primary use as a hotel.

And then there was Henry:

The owners in the mid-1980s were a group led by local businessmen Henry and Sebastian Vaccaro, who restored the hotel but ended up in bankruptcy. They hit the market at wrong end of the banking and lending scandals of the 80's. We give him the credit at least of getting it re-opened, as prior to that it was completely gone. Lucky it didn't get knocked down or burned down.

The Steinbach - Cool Lofts for Rent READY!

Finally. After who knows how many years - the Steinbach Building - the center of Cookman Avenue - has begun renting units. I took a tour the other day of the 2nd floor. very, very neat. High ceilings, large windows and large bathrooms.

You're in the center of it all.

Old Man Rafferty's - a bar and restaraunt will be opening May.

Once this building is finally up and running, Cookman Ave will be even brighter then it was last night.

Interested? Call David Dorfman at Gilman Commercial Realty LLC 732-517-0088.
dd

Wesley Grove - What's not Happening??

This past weekend (2/24/07) - took a drive past Wesley Grove - the new condos in Asbury Park. We were heading to The Brick Wall Tavern on Cookman Ave for a quick bite and drink.

We're wondering, what is the status of this first phase? The exterior looks complete - but what's not happening inside. Lots of sold stickers on the windows - some which look like rocks have been tossed through.

Getting people into these units would be a big plus to tie the downtown (cookman ave) to the boardwalk.

People were going to move in late '05 , then summer '06. Summer '07 is coming real soon.

How many have been sold - sold so that they will close?

See our next psot about the rentals at The Steinbach. Ready April 1.

Springsteen Rehearses Sept 20

Springsteen has been reported to be rehearsing in the Paramount. As of today, no dates have been scheduled for any Asbury Park shows prior to his European tour.

Stay tuned.