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The Mercy Center in Asbury Park has received approval to replace its building on Main Street with one new facility.
By ED SALVAS
The Asbury Park Planning Board voted unanimously at its April 1 meeting to give final approval to a new residential and commercial development at 1201 Memorial Drive and also to advance the proposal to replace the three existing Mercy Center buildings on Main Street with one new building.
1201 Memorial Drive will be a four-story residential building with 126 rental units on the property between Fourth and Fifth Avenues, with 20 percent designated affordable housing. There will also be some commercial space on the ground floor and off-street parking. The Douglas Development Company first proposed the project several years ago.
The Mercy Center needs more space to handle the growth of its food pantry and other social services that currently operate in three small obsolete buildings between 1108 and 1110 Main St. between Third and Fourth Avenues. Two of the buildings are connected. The Mercy Center has operated the food pantry at the same location for more than 30-years, but it would not be a permitted use today if there’s a change in the city’s master plan.
Elizabeth McManus, a planning consultant for the city, reviewed the Mercy Center proposal which will also include the center’s offices as well as the food pantry, a rooftop garden and parking lot. All three existing buildings will be replaced. McManus said the neighbors within 200 feet of the property have been notified and they support the plan.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Mercy Center Executive Director Kim Guadagno said the overall plan is “to have a facility that serves the needs of the community, fits in and looks good.” She noted that the food pantry served more than 95,000 people in 2023.
Following an executive session, the board voted to name the Leon S. Avakian Engineering Inc. of Neptune as the Planning Board’s Engineer for 2024. Board Chairman Barbara Krzak said it will be a busy year for the engineer as there are some 35 projects currently in development