The much-anticipated reconstruction project at the north end of the Asbury Park boardwalk was celebrated June 26 with a ribbon cutting attended by city officials and master developer iStar.
With a design that was years in the making, the new boardwalk on the north end includes 1,200 linear feet of straight wooden boardwalk measuring from 30’ to 60’ in width. The new boardwalk matches the prior boardwalk design and layout, extending to meet Ocean Avenue at Deal Lake Drive, but also incorporates best practices for stormwater management, as recommended by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
In addition, a new 400 LF meandering 15’ wide path was also constructed, extending from the north end of the boardwalk to a new paved parking lot with over 100 new spaces. The reconstruction project, which involves two acres of new landscaping, will also offer LED lights along the boardwalk, and new bike racks with the ability to hold a total of 90 bikes, as well as two new public restroom facilities.
A re-envisioned north end dates back nearly 20 years, when the Asbury Park community recognized the need to improve this area of the waterfront. In cooperation with the city, visionary real estate firm iStar (NYSE: STAR) set forth on plans for approved public infrastructure improvements on the north end, an investment totaling $8 million, as part of their multi-billion dollar revitalization of the Asbury Park waterfront. iStar funded the boardwalk construction through the infrastructure financing program, which includes an additional $2 million associated with the city’s approved redesign. The project experienced only limited delays due to COVID-19, as iStar aggressively worked to keep construction moving forward and to stay on schedule for completion this summer.
“We are thrilled to debut a new boardwalk on the north end,” Mayor John Moor said. “We appreciate iStar working with us and expediting construction, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, to finish in time for the 2020 summer season. This project serves as another example of iStar’s commitment to our community and the end result is a true collaboration with our residents whose feedback drove the final design.”
Brian Cheripka, senior vice president of Land and Development, iStar, said they all share the same goal.
“We are proud of our ability to partner with the community and the governing body on a new north end boardwalk design, and we are happy to be unveiling it today for everyone to enjoy,” he said.
