By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Asbury Park may soon own the development rights for the north end of Asbury Park beachfront, commonly known as Bradley Cove.
The name Bradley Cove was given to the area by master boardwalk developer iStar, current owners of the development rights. iStar presented plans in recent years to build condominiums on the site.
The plan was immediately met with much opposition by residents.
At Monday night’s workshop meeting Michele Alonso, Director of Planning and Redevelopment, presented plans to apply for a Monmouth County Municipal Open Space Grant hoping to acquire funding to purchase the development rights for $3.2 million. The dollar amount is the average of two private appraisals completed of the area by the city.
Alonso explained that the city can now apply for the redevelopment rights due to a change in the grant regulations from the 2015 grant regulations which now allow for the acquisition of development rights for open space.
Alonso said the city was not eligible last year to apply for the development rights.
“It’s the nature of the deal,” she said.
Alonso said county representatives encouraged the city to apply early for the grant.
As part of the grant application process Alonso asked council to open the meeting for public discussion on the matter, which they did.
During the public comments Pam Lamberton of Sunset Avenue said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for the city…being part of the battle for several years, it’s wonderful that the county has changed the language in the grant. I urge the council to move forward.” ‘
Resident Rita Marano of Eighth Avenue asked about the matching funds in regard to the grant.
Alonso said the maximum amount awarded will be $325,000 with 75 percent coming from the state and 25 percent from the county.
Last year the city was granted $1.1 million in a Green Acres grant which can be used toward the acquition.
Councilman Joe Woerner said the council has a good start on gathering the funding for the acquition.
“We can go from there and cobble together enough,” he said.
Council members were united in making sure the grant states that the city not only owns the land but the development rights as well.
