Work Continues on Asbury Park Beachfront Plan <http://thecoaster.net/wordpress/?p=1067> By ELLEN CARROLL
A plan for Asbury Park's landmark Fifth Avenue Pavilion on the boardwalk, which includes the former Howard Johnson's restaurant, is 95 per cent complete, said Larry Fishman, chief operating officer of Asbury Partners. "We expect to submit the plan with enhancements for the Convention Hall, the Casino and the power plant and the Fifth Avenue Pavilion to a sub-committee (of the city) within two weeks," he said. Asbury Partners, the city's beachfront redeveloper, is partnering with the Washington D.C.-based Madison Marquette company on what a new beachfront will look like complete with shops and entertainment. Last summer Asbury Partners said it was partnering with the firm which will put together a plan for the boardwalk and the surrounding area. Madison Marquette was also going to discuss tenants for the buildings. At the time a formal presentation was expected in November. It did not take place. Deputy Mayor Jim Bruno is upbeat about the beachfront future. "They are very, very close to having this deal signed," Bruno said. "The devil's in the details. Our sub-committee has met with the representatives of Madison Marquette within the last week and we are confident once these details are taken care of the contract will be signed, sealed and delivered." Fishman said the former Howard Johnson's will have a "first class operator" by the summer. Madison Marquette will also bring a plan to the City Council which will include an enhanced scope of work to retail on the boardwalk. "There is an awful lot of work to consummate a deal of this size and includes thousands of pages of documents," Fishman said. Asbury Partners has said $6 million will be spent to renovate and refurbish the city's boardwalk pavilions. Many of them have been neglected over the years and are rapidly deteriorating. Meanwhile, progress continues on condominiums and townhomes along Wesley Lake and to the north of the Berkeley Cartertet. Occupants of Wesley Grove's first building, The St. James, are expected to begin moving in by the spring. Officials and city residents have been concerned, however, about the lack of progress on the retail and commercial components at the beachfront.
