By GARRETT STASSE
There could be a global architectural contest to redevelop Asbury Parks waterfront.
Tired of what they said was unsatisfactory design and other problems, two Asbury Park Planning Board members called for a two-phase competition to encourage architectures best and brightest to devise plans for how to redo the district, including the historically important Convention Hall, the Casino and other buildings.
Board members and city officials have been sharply critical of the pace of waterfront redevelopment and have been looking for ways to get Master Developer Asbury Partners to get moving. Board members have said they were displeased at some of the designs and plans they have seen, so two of them, Matthew Berman and Sara Ann Towery, devised the competition.
They are members of the boards design review committee which reviews architectural plans. Neither would say which proposals disappointed them. Towery said the board is frustrated with the piecemeal buildings were getting. They dont relate to each other at all.
Quite frankly I havent seen anything that great.
Weve spent a lot of time discussing Asbury Parks development, Berman said. Were standing at a crossroads Im so disappointed with whats going on so far.
He said he wants iconic architectural masterpieces that would last for decades and define a new improved city. The historic structures would be restored but new buildings would have to complement them to create a cohesive zone, he said.
The contest would be in two phases, one for ideas, and the other for the actual work. Winning designers would oversee local or regional architects who would probably do much of the work.
Competition would bring a lot of interest to the city, Towery said. Architectural magazines really jump on these competitions and I think well have worldwide interest.
Berman conceded the competition, which could begin in August, would likely delay redevelopment and require developers to agree to the designs. That prompted board member Rev. David Parreott to say he had reservations about anything that would slow the revival even more.
Im concerned this is going to cost the city time and money, he said.
Board member John Lofredo, who is also a city councilman, questioned the timing.
This could affect the timeline of whats going on right now, he said, referring to developer efforts to build along the waterfront.
Berman said the contest would not affect whats going on now but could help the city hold builders to higher standards.
We want to make sure the city gets what it deserves, he said. Developers over the last few years havent demonstrated theyre going to leave something desirable after theyre gone.
The board approved letting them pursue the contest.
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