Coaster Photo
The former Santander Bank in Asbury Park was purchased for $1.3 million.
By ED SALVAS
Garden State Equality, the statewide LGBTQ support group, is expanding its presence in Asbury Park with the purchase of the former Santander Bank building at 308 Main St.
The 102-year-old landmark has been vacant since Santander moved out over a year ago. It will become Garden State Equality’s headquarters and center of operations.
The deal will allow Garden State Equality to relocate from its present storefront office at 1408 Main St. with enough space to bring together its 22 employees who have been working remotely, according to Executive Director Christian Fuscarino.
The $1.3 million dollar deal closed in June. Garden State Equality was founded in 2004 and is now celebrating its 20th Anniversary with its main focus on advocacy and education.
Fuscarino said the move will allow for greater community access to Garden State Equality as well as its close proximity to public transportation and the police department, “more critical than ever,” he said. Garden State Equality, with 150,000 members, will have a new home for a greater roll in Asbury Park which has more members than any other municipality.
Fuscarino said the Santander building will provide a “sanctuary” for the LGBTQ community and he also appreciates the beauty of the landmark. He said the interior includes many of the original fixtures although some have been removed. The exterior needs to be cleaned to restore its original beauty. He said most of the two-story building had not been used for several years. It was also once the home of the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce which moved out in 2012 and Executive Director Matthew Whelan said that was because of limited access after “banker’s hours.”
Fuscarino said he is grateful to officials at Santander Bank for working with Garden State Equality to complete the acquisition. Monmouth County Records show the Santander building assessed at $2.4 million, with annual property taxes of $34,405 which results in a loss for the city with the sale to a non-profit organization.
