Tour looks at sites for Port Huron building

Tour looks at sites for Port Huron building

LONG BRANCH — A group of local preservationists, residents and others who are interested in preserving the Port Huron building at the Takanassee Beach Club were slated to tour the historic structure Thursday.

According to Long Branch Councilman Brian Unger, the group was also expected to discuss other potential sites in the city where the structure could be relocated.

Tentative plans call for the building to be reused as a combination maritime-surfing museum.

Last year, the Port Huron building on the former Takanassee Beach Club site on Ocean Avenue was listed for sale for $1 on the National Trust for Historic Preservation website.

The Takanassee site is currently owned by Isaac Chera, who plans to construct a luxury condominium project on the oceanfront site.

Chera was issued a Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) permit in February 2008 by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to construct the project.

With the CAFRA approval came some 30 conditions the developer must adhere to, including preserving the three historic Takanassee structures.

Plans call for Chera to preserve one of the buildings on the original site and to relocate the other two stations off-site, where they will be restored.

Members of the preservation community are concerned about the fate of the buildings.

The Monmouth County Park System has indicated it is considering moving the oldest structure, the Captain's House, to Seven Presidents Park.

According to Unger, who has led the effort to preserve the Takanassee structures, plans call for the boathouse to remain onsite and become part of the new residential development.

A proposal was made at a City Council meeting and at a meeting of the Long Branch Historical Association to use the Port Huron house for a proposed surfing/ maritime/Takanassee museum.

Unger said in a press release that efforts to preserve the Port Huron building and relocate it in Long Branch have the support of Chera, who plans to pursue site plan approval before the Long Branch Planning Board.

Those invited to join the tour included residents, preservationists and other interested parties from the Long Branch Historical Association, the Long Branch City Council and administration, the Monmouth County Historical Commission, the N.J. State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the Atlantic Surfing Museum, the Elberon Voters & Property Owners Association, and Long Branch Citizens for Good Government.

The tour was to include inspection of the Port Huron house; a review of the lot adjacent to the Church of the Presidents' St. James Chapel; and a review of the proposed Hoey Park site for the Port Huron building.


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