Proposals for pier design submitted

Proposals for pier design submitted
RFPs sought designer for pier and ferry terminal
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer

LONG BRANCH — The city of Long Branch hopes to move forward in the coming weeks with redevelopment plans for the oceanfront pier and ferry terminal.

Long Branch Business Administrator Howard Woolley Jr. said last week the city formally issued a request for proposals [RFP] on Feb. 27 and the deadline for responses was April 2.

The proposals are for a lead designer to provide oceanfront pier and ferry terminal design and program management services.

As listed by the RFP, the contract will be funded jointly by the federal government and the city.

On March 10 the Long Branch City Council voted to bond $950,000 to finance the design of the pier and ferry terminal.

"We have received several proposals from firms," Woolley said. "We advertised the RFP on our website and received 50 bid proposals.

We will review the proposals for about 10 days; then, hopefully, we can introduce the contract at the next council meeting [April 14]."

During the March 10 meeting, CouncilwomanMary Jane Celli said the city is more likely to receive stimulus money once the project is "shovel-ready."

"We are excited to be talking about these proposals," Woolley said. "We hope this moves us forward."

In 1987, a fire destroyed the Long Branch pier, and since that time the city has acquired redevelopment rights and is ready to rebuild the pier and other amenities, including retail, restaurants, an amphitheater and a children's play area along the oceanfront.

The pier project is divided into three components. The first is the Core Pier, which will be the main structure and will cost approximately $36.3 million. Plans call for the pier to extend 900 feet from the boardwalk into the Atlantic Ocean.

The second component is the highspeed ferry terminal and docking facility, slated to cost $20.2 million, which would provide a direct route from the Long Branch region to lower Manhattan at a travel time of 40 minutes. The pier will contain a docking system, as well as the ticketing and waiting areas required for the ferry operation.

The final component is the amenity uses at an estimated cost of $32.5 million, which include retail, restaurants, event space, a public winter garden, outdoor amphitheater, entertainment space, fishing area and a children's play area.

Contact Kenny Walter at

kwalter@gmnews.com.