Well I must say, despite the nostalgic hold the Asbury of old still has on me,
I think that
this is one of the most lucid, best thought out posts i've seen in awhile about
the future of
Asbury. Good job.
For me, i'll just never understand why the powers the be in AP let all of the
"old" go...all
the great theaters, the original boardwalk attractions...all the stuff that put
AP on the map.
Part of that comes from spending so much time in Europe, where preserving the
past while
integrating it with the present is done so well.
Also, I hope everybody got a chance to wander around in their shorts and tee
shirts on this
lovely globally warmed day.
--- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "asburycouple" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I think the biggest challenge I have Werner is that the waterfront
> area's history from the era you rightfully site as the history is
> just that - history. Unlike Cookman, where much of the
> infrastructure remained and could be reused, there is not so much
> left. Rather than a real historical redevelopment across there
> waterfront we are really looking at the restortion of a few
> key "historical assets" that stand apart from the vacant property and
> run down remnants of AP's more recent history which is far less
> glamourous and enticing. And I think virtually everyone agrees these
> treasures (Convention Hall, the Casino, etc...) should be restored as
> testimony to the great city AP once was.
>
> But for me the priority for redevelopment has to be led by economic
> viability first and foremost. If the waterfront was recreated as it
> was in 1950, brick by brick, it would likely not be a viable entity
> economically. The world has changed much in the past half century,
> and this generations requirements are radically different than they
> were in the past. The "new" waterfront in my opinion needs to be as
> enticing and entertaining to today's generation, most of whom were
> not born during the era you are referring, as the old AP was to that
> generations vacationers and tourists. Again, the few treasures we
> have left need to be restored with an eye toward playing a vital role
> in delivering the experiences this new generation is and will seek
> (which may b a bit different that restoration exactly as they were).
> But with so little left and so much that today are characterless
> empty lots and abused buildings from the honkey tonk era you refer
> to, I don't think every aspect of the waterfront can be held hostage
> soley by a past that for the most part is only a distant memory to
> some and a postcard picture to most.
>
> If so many of the old structures remained and required restoration I
> would have a different opinion, because so much of the old character
> would still exist and could be restored. I am definitely not saying
> that this needs to be disneyland or ugly, just a recognition that
> what's built must have more of an eye to the future than the past,
> because the past for the most part has long ago been lost on the AP
> waterfront.
>
>
>
> --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "wernerapnj" <wernerapnj@>
> wrote:
> >
> > --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "asburycouple" <asburycouple@>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > But perhaps Werner you are more referring to the status as a
> major
> > > high-end tourist mecca - which end for AP in the 50's and for LB
> well
> > > before that if I'm not mistaken.
> >
> > Exactly, And this points out the problem with most peoples
> > interpretations of what is significant about any particular
> community.
> >
> > Most people rely only upon their own personal experiances and
> > recollections instead of considering the totality of the
> communities
> > role over history in the context of Americana.
> >
> > That myopic vision leads to flawed conclusions about what a
> communities
> > assets and heritage are. Ignoring city planning and urban
> development
> > in the context of American cities is also a problem.
> >
> > I've had many far too many debates with people whose idea of
> history
> > goes no farther than the 1970s vintage amusement rides on the
> > beachfront. Most people alive just remember a honky-tonk amusement
> park
> > and think of that when trying to discuss restoration and
> preservation.
> >
> > Werner
> >
>
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