I'm concerned by some misinterpretations that have cropped up in the discussion
of the Stone Pony.
As the Plan and Contract currently stand, the Stone Pony is flagged as a
building to be retained on a Conditional basis. That being - it continues to
remain open and used as an entertainment venue. As I recall (don't have the
docs in front of me) the condition was also predicated on a 6 month window of
disuse prior to allowing a demolition.
Note that this refers only to the Stone Pony building itself not the adjacent
outdoor spaces. Those were acquired by Asbury Partners and effectively
integrated into the Pony operations but are not part of the parcel referred to
in the current plan.
The outdoor 'Stage' is and has always been zoned for Residential development so
discussing that in the context of 'recommending' it be moved is meaningless.
The Stone Pony Building however is another matter - the recommendation of the
committee to remove its conditional status for preservation opens the door to
its demolition.
The value of a venue like the Pony is in its authenticity - it IS the Stone
Pony in look and feel, I was the restoration consultant under Dominic Santana's
ownership. (although I do not know what it looks like today).
Also significant is the location at Ocean and Second - the experience of
waiting in line to see a show, having the same view as prior generations, the
photo opps, the traffic and street scene (having Ocean Ave one-way North would
add to the experience i.e. The Circuit)
The stone Pony is a significant destination and for entertainment and heritage
tourism. Not expanding on that is very short sighted and is one of the
intrinsic flaws of the Plan.
Moving residential zoning off of that block to accommodate an expanded Stone
Pony would be far more beneficial to Asbury Park.
Werner
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