MM's announcements are certainly good news and I'm sure we all would
appreciate some fast forward momentum visible at the Beachfront with
linkages to projects around the City.
I attended the Press Conference, one of only about 2 dozen people
classified as 'General Public', told to sit in the back and ask no
questions.
Most of the positive aspects described have already been discussed,
certainly ambitious plans with a broad impact on the area.
One item that struck me personally was acknowledgment of the value of
Asbury Parks History, Heritage and Design. Music and entertainment
were described as a significant part of their intended programming.
That part of the presentation seems to have been plagiarized from the
lectures and tours I've given in the past. Someone must have taken
notes or read my writings. It was exactly my own words being fed back
to me, spooky.
I am however, disappointed, since while the words and concepts seem to
have made an impact the implementation in physical form leaves much to
be desired. Have a look at the renderings on their web-announcement.
The Rockwell group is being retained as architects, with the
descriptor of the designs being 'exciting'. Remember the previous
proposals were described as 'funky'.
The treatment of the Beachfront being proposed is completely at odds
with their acknowledgment of 'History Value'. Simple, obvious, cost
effective ways to tap into that value continue to be ignored.
Two significant, simple design choices that would make a world of
difference for the better.
-- Lighting along the Boardwalk - Seems that the contemporary
'bug-zapper' or other modern lamps are being proposed instead of the
appropriate vintage fixtures.
The ConHall, Casino, and Boardwalk are linked by heritage. Using the
correct 1930s lamps will complete that context and extract the
'History Value'. Looking down the Boardwalk and seeing those 2
monumental buildings linked by the fixtures present when they were
built is significant.
-- Fifth Avenue Pavilion - Remodeled instead of Restored. What a
shame. In spite of all efforts to educate the City and point out the
specific intent of the Plan to restore that 1960s icon, it is being
Remodeled.
They continue to treat the building as 2 parts instead of a unified
architectural design. It is the most significant 20th Century Modern
building in Asbury Park. The most value can easily be extracted by
just restoring it properly. Orange brick, concrete ramps, 1060s
fixtures... it deserves to be preserved for future generations.
Those two issues alone if properly implemented would prove that they
are serious about 'History Value' and would add significantly to the
success of their entire project.
Preservation based planning is the most cost effective way to generate
development value.
There's plenty of room for exciting, funky, forward looking designs
and architecture. Let our history be part of it instead of remodeling
every square inch.
Werner
City Historian in Exile
"Porch"
( Hopefully they will plagiarize these concepts too :-)
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