Neptune OKs Partnership for North End
By DON STINE
A joint partnership between the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association and Wesley Atlantic Village Enterprises (WAVE) will oversee redevelopment of Ocean Groves North End.
A resolution passed by the Neptune Township Committee on Monday approved the partnership for the proposed redevelopment project. The group will now create a redevelopment agreement that will set the parameters of what is expected from the various parties involved in the redevelop project.
The joint venture was always on the table since the Camp Meeting Association owns all of the property in Ocean Grove, including the North End site. WAVE will lease the property under the proposed redevelopment deal.
The partnership with WAVE is desirable since the Camp Meeting owns the property. It allows us to pursue spiritual growth and renewal by being a partner and having input on the design that helps compliment everything we do here in town, said Nancy Hoffman, chief executive officer for the OGCMA.
Hoffman said the Camp Meeting and WAVE will now develop a contract and then specific plans will come after that.
Bill Gannon, a principal in WAVE, said the township will now negotiate with the association and WAVE to put together a redevelopment agreement.
The whole premise is cooperation between the two parties. The agreement will set the parameters and timelines and spells out what is expected from the various parties, including the township, Gannon said.
The agreement will include the responsibilities of the various parties, such as Wesley Lake retaining wall improvements, various timelines, performance bond issues and similar items, Gannon said.
After that then specific plans will be developed according to the conceptual plan previously adopted by the township. Redevelopment couldnt move forward until this resolution was passed so its a step in the right direction, he said.
Gannon said there may be changes requested by the developer or the township in the future and at that point amendments to the conceptual plan may be possible.
As of now, the plan calls for an 80-room hotel, 85 residential units of which seven must be single-family homes on Spray Avenue, with commercial and retail units in the boardwalk area.
On-site parking, either through an underground garage or by other means, is also required.
Committeewoman Mary Beth Jahn abstained from voting on the resolution since she will be on a negotiating committee reviewing redevelopment plans for the site.
Mayor Randy Bishop, along with several non-elected township officials, is also on the review committee but Bishop voted in favor of the resolution rather than abstaining.
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