BY NANCY SHIELDS COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU ASBURY PARK The city Planning Board Monday night gave beachfront developers the go-ahead to begin interior work for a new restaurant in the vacant Howard Johnson's in the Fifth Avenue Pavilion.
However, the board withheld full approval for plans to get that restaurant open by Memorial Day until another board meeting March 12, with members saying the plan needs more work. Madison Marquette, the national retail developer leading the entertainment and retail development of the beachfront, and Asbury Partners, the city'sbeachfront redeveloper, had sought a quick approval so they can get building permits issued and the restaurant built to meet a city-imposed deadline to Asbury Partners to open by Memorial Day. Planning Board members expressed their concern that the limited plan to get something open by Memorial Day was just a quick fix. "With all due respect, we've been hearing this for three to four years," said board member Matthew Berman, who also is an architect. "This building is one of the top iconic buildings in the city. "Everything you're saying, we've heard before," said Berman of previous plans that have not panned out. "I can appreciate your position," said John Lanham, senior vice president for the Washington, D.C.-based Madison Marquette. "Our intention here is over the next two, three, four, five years. Do I wish I could do more for this summer? Sure. This is about all I can put in place. We have 92 days until Memorial Day." Lanham said the company is negotiating to get a "first-class" restaurateur into the pavilion. The Planning Board indicated its expected approval March 12 of the new restaurant will be contingent on Madison Marquette coming back in two to three months with a complete plan for the Fifth Avenue Pavilion. Madison Marquette also plans upgrades to storefronts in the Fifth Avenue Pavilion. The building with the Howard Johnson's restaurant and a pedestrian ramp leading to a 1,400-seat rooftop band shell opened in the early 1960s. Council members, citizens and historic preservationists worked hard to make certain the postmodern Fifth Avenue Pavilion designed by Philadelphia architect John Fridy was preserved. George Panas, who operated the boardwalk Howard Johnson's for 44 years, retired last year after he sold his liquor license and the contents of the restaurant to Asbury Partners for $250,000. Madison Marquette signed a deal last week for a joint venture with Asbury Partners. The joint venture also will include renovations to Convention Hall and the Casino, rebuilding the eastern portion that extends over the water, rebuilding five pavilions, renovating the heating plant and building a new hotel at the south end of the beachfront, among other plans. Gary Mottola, president of investments at Madison, said last week that he expects $150 million to $200 million to be invested in the entertainment and retail development on the waterfront. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Yahoo! Groups gets a make over. See the new email design. http://us.click.yahoo.com/hOt0.A/lOaOAA/yQLSAA/Y2tolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
