Asbury Park Press

Save Asbury’s Waterfront (SAW) and the Asbury Park community are disheartened that iStar has chosen to move forward with plans for a membership-based beach club on North Beach, despite overwhelming public outcry to keep the northern waterfront undeveloped for environmental and social justice reasons.

iStar stated in a recent news article: “ iStar remains committed to working with the community to hear their input…” SAW solicited broad public input and specifically requested the following to iStar and the city: NO new development east of Ocean Avenue (except for standard park amenities such as bathrooms), NO beach/pool club, restore the boardwalk at least to its old height/width, bridge the east and west side with public transportation, reestablish the Waterfront Redevelopment Advisory Board, and find an environmentally sound solution to improving Fisherman’s Lot.

iStar has a large pool at its Ocean Club and a beautiful beach directly in front. Why does it need a pool club five blocks away? Why not build it on land that iStar owns near its Ocean Club instead of blocking and effectively restricting access for millions of people who enjoy our northern waterfront?

We in Asbury Park chose to live here because it is a unique haven for all. Developers may have negotiated the rights to build a waterfront beach club in 2004 when our city was in dire straits, but is it right for the Asbury Park of 2018? Our city and the environment have changed drastically since 2004. Let’s work together toward a better vision.

Madeline Monaco

Asbury Park