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Asbury Park council approves Main Street plan amendment to let Mercy Center move into former Walgreens
Summary
Council adopted a redevelopment plan amendment allowing Mercy Center to relocate to the former Walgreens at Main and 2nd, enabling a larger pantry space (Mercy Center said a 3,000-square-foot pantry will open) and design standards including first-floor retail or restaurant frontage.
The Asbury Park City Council approved an amendment to the Main Street redevelopment plan that will allow Mercy Center to relocate from its existing facility to the former Walgreens site at Main and 2nd.
Beth McManus, the city's redevelopment planner, told the council the amendment primarily allows food pantry use at the Walgreens site and establishes zoning and design requirements for that specific lot, including a first-floor retail or restaurant use facing Main Street and a public plaza or outdoor seating area. McManus said the change also repeals a previously granted permitted use at another Main Street location and concentrates Mercy Center's new facility at the Walgreens parcel.
Kim Godano, who said she represents Mercy Center, thanked the council and staff and described the expansion: "We have fed... a 130,000 people in that pantry," she told the council, and described an upcoming pantry that will be about 3,000 square feet—"in effect, a free grocery store for the people that live here in Asbury Park." Godano also said Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen has agreed to put a kitchen in the front of the building. Mercy Center and the city's redevelopment staff said the relocation will enlarge pantry operations and include a renovated kitchen available to the public.
Council members voted to adopt the Main Street plan amendment on the record. The ordinance was introduced with a public hearing date previously set for 02/25/2026 for related financial agreements; the council completed the adoption vote for the plan amendment at this meeting. Supporters said the change will provide more space for Mercy Center's services and reflect design standards for the corridor; one resident asked staff about the frequency of redevelopment-plan amendments and recommended an OPRA request for background documents.
The council's vote advances the Mercy Center relocation; staff and Mercy Center representatives said implementation steps, including construction plans and timelines, would follow the approval process and any required permits.
