Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents and preservation group press Asbury Park council on Convention Hall site and transparency
Summary
Public commenters pushed the council for greater transparency and preservation efforts at the former Convention Hall site, urging commemorative markers, a resident committee, and clearer public access to development records ahead of EDA action; council signaled willingness to form a small committee.
Several residents and preservation advocates urged the Asbury Park City Council to prioritize historic preservation and public transparency related to the former Convention Hall site and other landmarks.
At public comment, Stephen Dante proposed a commemorative site marker that would recognize the demolished Convention Hall and Paramount Theater and argued that civic spaces are symbols that matter beyond development potential. “Those buildings mean something,” Dante said, urging the council to reconsider priorities for protecting public heritage.
Chris Oliph, speaking for Save Our Structures Asbury Park (SOSAP), welcomed recent efforts to publish development records and highlighted a new public website (AsburyParkONtherecord.org) that catalogs development documents back to 2002. Oliph asked whether any special development agreement (SDA) or similar vehicle related to casino-area redevelopment—or to possible tax‑credit grants—was under consideration, and called for more transparent public information during negotiations.
William Acevedo proposed forming a Blue Ribbon Commission or similar committee to create a shared vision for historic preservation and to educate voters during the upcoming election cycle. Council members responded that they were open to the idea: the city said it would consider appointing two council members and resident participants for a committee and follow up by email to start the process.
Why it matters: commenters tied preservation concerns to pending economic decisions, including a hoped‑for $80 million in state tax credits referenced in public remarks. Speakers asked the council to ensure residents — especially Asbury Park residents rather than out‑of‑town stakeholders — are represented on any advisory group. The council agreed to explore forming a committee and to work with residents and development partners on next steps.
The council did not take an immediate vote on policy changes tied to preservation; public speakers asked for clarity and greater access to records and for tangible steps such as commemorative signage or a citizen advisory body.
