The Coaster

By DON STINE

Residents trying so save historic homes and sites on Old Corlies Avenue in Neptune received some support from the Township Committee this week, although it is apparent that a major grassroots effort is needed to preserve the area.

Mayor James Manning Jr. said the committee is willing to work with residents to seek the historic designation for the area- the oldest developed area in the community.

We will definitely work with you as well, he said at this weeks workshop meeting.

Residents concerned over commercial intrusion and the destruction of historic buildings and sites along Old Corlies Avenue recently created a grassroots organization, the Old Corlies Avenue Preservation Alliance (OCAPA).

The group seeks to obtain state and national historic designation for the neighborhood and also prevent development of the areas former 6.46-acre Wardell Dairy farm site.

During the workshop portion of the meeting, Ted Bell, a representative of the local Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), said that in 1976 an application was submitted to the state seeking placement of old homes in Neptune on the national and state registers of historic sites.

Bell said a number of homes in the Old Corlies Avenue area were to be listed but ultimately were not.

It was generally felt (by residents) that it was an inconvenience and their listings were cancelled, he said.

Bell said, however, that the Old Corlies Avenue area does have its history.

There is a lot of history but much has been forgotten, he said.

Bell said to qualify for state and national registration as an historic district more documentation needs to be provided and submitted with the registration application.

He said factors such as architectural styles, the areas historical significance, historic events, famous people, and the educational potential are all important aspects when submitting an application.

A lot of research goes into a nominationand letters of support are also necessary, he said.

Bell said that about 80,000 sites are on the National Register of Historic Places and that about 3,000 applications are processed every year.

There is a strong movement toward historyand its loss will only be a loss to the future, Bell said.

An application process can take 6 months to a year.

You need to get residents interested, get a professional historian to do the study, and then submit the report, Bell said.

HPC Chairperson Deborah Osepchuk said local support is essential.

“Any good preservation movement has to be grassroots with a desire to see the area preserved, she said.

Osepchuk said OCAPA will have to create its own historic district.

“It will be a district of its own based on its own criteria and not merged with Ocean Grove, she said.

Deputy Mayor Randy Bishop suggested the township tax assessor conduct a study of properties in the township that are more than 75 years old.

That can act as a survey map to create a pin-out map (of historic sites) and we can build an application on that, he said.

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