Everyone here at the Surfrider Jersey Shore Chapter is excited to announce that the Garden State Preservation Trust recommended $1.1 million dollars be awarded to Asbury Park in order to buy the Bradley Cove development rights back from iStar Financial.
This money will be matched with a $250,000 pledge by the Monmouth County Freeholders, which means that Asbury Park will now have $1.35 million dollars to offer iStar in order to reclaim this important section of beachfront property on the North End of the city.
“This is a important victory for the movement to save Asbury Park’s north end beach,” said Councilman Joe Woerner. “It affirms what we have known all along—that this is a very special location on the Jersey Shore and must be preserved,” he said. “We will have $1.35 million to provide iStar with fair market compensation as they have always requested.”
“It’s been a long battle,” Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn said. “This is a win for the thousands of people who have been protesting the building of Bradley Cove.”
This is a huge victory in our struggle to save Asbury Park's north end beach after years of fighting, but there is still much work to be done. The next step is the appraisal process. Once that is completed, an official offer will be made to iStar, the Asbury Park Waterfront Master Redeveloper. At that point it is hoped that iStar will stick to their pledge to sell the development rights at fair market value. Then the victory party ....
Until then, enjoy this victory, but check back frequently on what else needs to be done. We need to keep the politicians and developers moving forward on the right path—one that leads to a beautiful, pristine Bradley Cove for future generations to enjoy!
Read more about the Green Acres award: