Asbury Park has been awarded a $20 million grant from the state Boardwalk Preservation Fund.
It is expected the funds will be used to repair and renovate Convention Hall and the Paramount Theatre, both closed since 2020.
The program was signed into law in August 2023 by Governor Phil Murphy. The $100 million fund was created to make investments to repair and rebuild boardwalks and adjacent structures along the Jersey Shore for added storm resilience and enhanced economic development.
The funds were made available from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and are to be administered by the Division of Disaster Recovery (DRM) at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
“We are grateful to the State for the Boardwalk Preservation Fund monies. Our application was made in conjunction with Madison Marquette (city redeveloper and owner of the Convention Hall complex) to advance the development of our respective areas on the boardwalk and we will be working together to make Asbury Park’s waterfront even greater than it is now,” said Mayor John Moor. “I want to especially thank the city’s professionals and the team at Madison for working under a tight timeline to complete this grant application. These funds will help the city provide needed improvements that enhance the beachfront user experience for our residents and tourists alike.”
Madison Marquette’s portion of the grant will be used to partially underwrite repair activities at the Convention Hall complex which includes the Paramount Theatre. Both have been closed since 2020 due to needed repairs.
Other specific projects to be funded include the replacement of boardwalk decking, railings, and benches, and the installation of permanent bathroom facilities at two locations.
“We are excited to be designated as a beneficiary of this grant, and we sincerely appreciate the efforts of the state and the city of Asbury Park in making this happen. This is an important and critical step in our plans to completely renovate Convention Hall and the other iconic buildings on the Boardwalk, and in doing so to preserve and enhance Asbury Park’s long and storied history as a center for the celebration of music. We look forward to partnering with the city to complete our plans,” said Gary Mottola, senior managing director at Madison Marquette.
