By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI Asbury Park Auditor David Kaplan presented his annual report on the 2017 Asbury Park audit saying, “Everyone should be extremely proud of the progress this city has made.” Kaplan said both the beach utility and the parking utilities had record highs, referring to total revenues, but also said there is […]

  By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI Flags at Asbury Park’s City Hall flew at half mast this week to honor former assistant city manager and Pop Warner coach, James Famularo, 52, who died tragically in a fire in his Park Avenue home on Mon., July 9. He was at home looking for his wife, Shonna, when […]

  By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI The City Council announced at its recent meeting that the Bangs Avenue parking garage will be free on the first Saturday of every month until September. The hours are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m It is hoped this will be an incentive to increase business in the downtown area during the summer season. The […]

  By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI Several Asbury Park business owners spoke at this week’s City Council meeting about the crowds causing disruption and destruction to storefronts and vestibules. Jan Sparrow, owner of Words Bookstore, said although the bar scene is “better” there is already a bigger influx this year, especially of college age or those […]

  By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI A group of Monmouth County residents are working on a proposal to bring a dispensary for medical cannabis to Main Street in Asbury Park. Peter Hunnewell, a principal and team leader, introduced his team at an informal information session at the Asbury Hotel last week to provide information to businesses, […]

  By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI Another bank may be coming to Main Street in Asbury Park and will replace the Dunkin Donuts now located at Sunset Avenue. The Planning Board voted to recommend sending the proposal to amend the Main Street Redevelopment Plan to the City Council for review to allow Chase Bank to move […]

  By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI Asbury Park is bracing itself for a summer onslaught of visitors, following two previous summers when parking became scarce on weekends as beaches, downtown businesses and restaurants thrived. The installation of parking meters in the city has been very successful. Over the last five years more than $5 million has […]

  By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI There is a transformation happening on DeWitt Avenue in Asbury Park as the West Side Community Center gets a new coat of paint, new landscaping and fencing and a new gymnasium floor. Volunteers from such diverse organizations as Neighborworks, Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch came to the center on Fri. […]