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Long Branch moves to buy Brookdale building as $5M state grant completes pier funding
Summary
The Long Branch City Council introduced ordinances to purchase Brookdale Community College’s 195 Broadway building for $3.5 million and to amend prior capital and bond ordinances after receiving a new $5 million state grant that the city says fully funds pier construction; council set public hearings for May 13 and recorded roll-call votes on the introductions.
Long Branch officials told the City Council on April 22 that the city will seek to buy the Brookdale Community College building at 195 Broadway for $3.5 million and reallocate previously bonded funds to renovate and occupy the property.
Council Vice President Billy Dangler, who ran the ordinance portion of the meeting, said the package includes an acquisition ordinance and two capital/bond amendments tied to a new $5 million state grant that will make the pier project fully funded. “The first ordinance ... will authorize us to purchase for $3.5 million,” Dangler said, and he added the amendments do not authorize new debt but instead amend earlier bond ordinances to accept the state funds and add the Brookdale property to the previously authorized projects.
Why it matters: the city says the deal keeps municipal court, police and space for county services downtown, and that Brookdale will continue some local presence. The summary language for Ordinance 06-26 sets a closing date “no later than June 30, 2026” and allows the college to lease classroom space in the city’s planned health and technology center to maintain its programs.
Council also read and introduced related ordinances to amend capital ordinance 024-23 (adding block/lot references for 195 Broadway) and to restate and increase an appropriation citing federal American Rescue Plan Act recovery funds. A separate bond-ordinance amendment was described as adding the property for municipal purposes with a 25-year useful life. The council repeatedly noted that bond counsel advised the technical amendments.
Roll-call votes: Council introduced each ordinance on first reading and set public hearings for May 13, 2026. Roll-call tallies recorded Rasses Yes; Viera Yes; Wittis/Witas Yes; Dangler Yes; Dr. Vote Abstain for each introduction where recorded.
What’s next: The ordinances were set for public hearings May 13; if the council proceeds, the purchase would close by the contract deadline and city departments would begin planning renovations and office moves. The council stated previously bonded funds originally budgeted for the pier will be redirected to renovate the Brookdale building now that state aid has reduced the city’s borrowing need for the pier.
Provenance: topic introduced at SEG 135 (Billy Dangler explained the three ordinances and Brookdale connection) and discussion continued through SEG 171 where Dangler reiterated that no new debt was being authorized. The ordinance reading and vote are recorded at SEG 174–214.
