Ocean Grove Names Developer for Tract
Hotel, pool, condominiums, parking facilities planned at beachfront
The North End Hotel on the boardwalk in Ocean Grove was demolished in 1980. A new one is being considered for the site.
By ELLEN CARROLL
The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association has agreed to lease a 3.2-acre tract at the north end of its beachfront to a private developer who plans to build a hotel and pool complex along with condominiums and parking facilities.
Wesley Atlantic Village Enterprises, an Ocean Grove company which includes Ocean Grove resident William P. Gannon, was chosen as the developer.
Its a great day for the (Ocean Grove) Camp Meeting Association and for Ocean Grove, said Scott Rasmussen, association president, following the unanimous decision by the Board of Trustees Saturday to lease the property. Its a win-win agreement for our community, its residents and the…camp meeting association. We look forward to an attractive facility, consistent with our heritage that will form the visual northern boundary of Gods Square Mile.
Gannon, a principal and attorney for Wesley Atlantic Village Enterprises LLC, said he was excited about the project. As a resident whose family has lived in the historic district many years Gannon is acutely aware of the preservation requirements for building in the area and said he welcomes it.
We look forward to bringing back the North End by developing this historic mixed-use site in keeping with its great heritage, he said. This agreement will allow us to vigorously pursue a multi-level approval process to revitalize the North End site.
Gannons company was one of several being considered as the developer.
All parties involved agree it will probably be a couple of years before any construction begins.
Its a great day for the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting and for Ocean Grove. -Scott Rasmussen
The proposal by Gannons company faces review at many levels – local, state and federal.
His proposal includes a hotel on the boardwalk, commercial and retail space, some condominiums and parking facilities. Gannon said he would like to see a restaurant as part of the package but stressed a final plan has not been drawn up.
We have been and will continue to work closely with the camp meeting because they are, and will always be the landlords, he said. We are really just at the point where we have reached an agreement with them. That gives us the go ahead to attempt approvals. Many many groups will be involved from desolation to destination.
Gannon said one of his top priorities is to make sure we address the parking situation.
The historic district is notorious for its lack of parking spaces. The densely populated area was designed more than 100 years ago and features narrow streets and restored Victorian homes without garages.
Gannon said he hopes to be able to provide extra parking for the community.
The decision by the camp meeting to select the Wesley Atlantic group comes after nearly two years of research and deliberation by the North End Committee, a sub-committee of the camp meeting association. Gannon said his company has produced 17 or 18 layouts for the tract over the last two years.
We anticipate the final layout will be shaped not only by government agencies but by the community as a whole, he said. We need to get permissions on a lot of levels.
Rasmussen also stressed that the public would be involved in the on-going process.
The North End has been unused for many years, Rasmussen said. This agreement allows the camp meeting to build upon our heritage as a destination for rest, recreation and spiritual renewal. It will enable us to expand our current programming and remain a positive and proactive partner with residents and businesses.
Gannon, who lives in a house he recently built on Ocean Avenue in Ocean Grove not far from the north end site, said the agreement between his company and the camp meeting will compliment efforts in adjacent Asbury Park. That city is undergoing a major redevelopment along its beachfront just across from Ocean Grove.
The north end parcel was formerly occupied by the historic 225-room North End Hotel, which was demolished in 1980. It has been abandoned for more than two decades, although the hotels foundation, including an old pool, is still visible on the site.
The site is located in Spray Avenue between Ocean and Beach Avenues bordering Wesley Lake.
Read more about your town by picking up The Coaster at your local newsstand or subscribe today.
Published every Thursday.
