Buildings destroyed in fire were to be razed for redevelopment
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/26/06
BY ALISON HERGET AND MATT PORIO
STAFF WRITERS
ASBURY PARK Deputy Mayor James Bruno, who previously served as the
city's fire inspector for 11 years, said the two buildings of
Atlantic Belmont Hotel, destroyed by fire, were slated to be torn
down as part of phase II of Asbury Park's redevelopment plan.
At this hour, firefighters are still battling the fast-moving blaze,
and expect to be at the scene through the night.
The Atlantic Belmont Hotel, at 300-302 Asbury Ave., was formerly
used as hotels and as a healthcare-type facility, Bruno said. The
properties were purchased several months ago by developer Asbury
Partners.
City Manager Terence Reidy said the block on which the Atlantic
Belmont sits was old to Wesminster Communities last week, as part of
phase II of Westminster's redevelopment plan. It was planned to be
demolished and developed as a condominium complex, he said.
Bruno said gusty winds and the age of the buildings, which is more
than 100 years old, probably contributed to the rapid spread of the
fire.
The fire erupted in the late afternoon as temperatures plummeted to
subfreezing levels and the wind fanned the flames.
"With winds like this, things can get very bad,'' he said.
Bruno also said the buildings' balloon-type construction, where
there are no fire stops in between the floors, could have caused
flames to spread faster.
Residents said they were upset to see history disappear so quickly.
"I hate to see it go,'' Robert Razminas, 48, an Asbury Park resident
for 25 years, said as the buildings on fire. "These old places are
Asbury Park history. They should be restored and kept up.''
The two buildings, which were vacant, were destroyed. Flames were
shooting out of the windows and roofs of the four-story buildings.
Much of the Atlantic collapsed as the firefighters were trying to
put out the blaze.
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