Skeleton High-Rise In Asbury Park To be Demolished
By ELLEN CARROLL
The unfinished high-rise on Asbury Parks oceanfront, long a symbol of failed redevelopment in the city, is unsafe and will be torn down.
Its a structural safety concern, said City Engineer Brian Grant this week. The foundation was not constructed as it should have been. A structural evaluation was completed and it was determined that the foundation wasnt built as it was designed.
The property is owned by Metro Homes, a Hoboken-based company, which plans to build 224 condominiums at the site. When the company purchased the building last year company officials said they would use the existing structure if it was safe and sound.
Coaster Photo
The unfinished high-rise on the Asbury Park oceanfront is scheduled to be demolished beginning next week.
Engineers from Metro Homes conducted inspections making the determination that the structure was unsafe.
Grant said city officials expect demolition to begin next month.
Good, declared City Councilman John Loffredo, who has long advocated demolition.
I would expect no less from them, Loffredo said. They said from the beginning that if they thought it was unsafe they would take it down and true to their word, they are taking it down.
Rita Morano, who owns Kingsley Market across the street from the high-rise, said she was glad to see it coming down. Her business has been there since construction began on the high-rise.
I remember the building inspector sitting in the middle of the property back in the 1980s, she said. Im glad its being demolished. Who wants an unsafe building?
Metro Homes plans to build two residential towers connected by three stories of parking and ground-floor retail space. The building will be full service with a 24-hour concierge, spa, game rooms, a restaurant and other hotel-like amenities.
Metro Homes is awaiting final approval for its plans from the City Council. The Planning Board has already given its approval for building plans.
The project is one of three planned for the city oceanfront. To the north of Convention Hall work is progressing on Paramounts North Beach Asbury Park. The project will include 157 residential units. The first building with 48 units has already been sold and is scheduled to be ready for occupation next year.
Westminster Communities Wesley Grove along Wesley Lake plans on building 750 residences along Lake Avenue and 6,000-square-feet of retail space. The sales center for the project is scheduled to open in October. It was open for one day during First Saturday Night in September.
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