Funding secured to complete L.B. pier design

Funding secured to complete L.B. pier design
House approves Pallone's request for $300K
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
The Long Branch pier and ferry terminal took another step toward being shovel-ready last week when the city secured $300,000 in funding.

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-6th District) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives approved a fiscal year (FY) 2010 Transportation and Housing & Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill that includes his request for $300,000 to complete the design and engineering phase of the Long Branch Pier and Ferry Terminal, according to a press release from Pallone's office.

In April, the city closed its request for proposals (RFP) 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 Monday, Long Branch Business Administrator Howard Woolley Jr. said the administration and a committee are reviewing proposals received.

Woolley said that the city hopes to have an announcement for a contract for the pier design in about 30 days.

"We are working through all the proposals," Woolley said. "We hope to have a contract in about 30 days and we are looking forward to getting the architectural design process started."

As for the funding, Woolley credits work by the mayor, council and administration as crucial to securing the additional funding.

"It was the result of a lot of work with the congressman," Woolley said. "We are very pleased we got it."

The projected ferry project is expected to connect Long Branch with lower Manhattan and, according to Pallone, would create 1,200 jobs during the construction phase and 600 full-time jobs once operation begins.

"During these difficult economic times it is important that we invest in infrastructure projects that will create jobs and improve communities," Pallone said in the release.

Pallone also expects the ferry and pier to benefit Long Branch from a tourism standpoint.

"The project will also boost the tourism market, enhance interstate commerce and attract residential and business investment along the Jersey Coast," he said.

According to Pallone, he requested the funds earlier this year.

News of the funding comes after the Long Branch City Council adopted an ordinance in March approving $1 million in bonds for the pier redevelopment project.

The ordinance authorizes a $50,000 down payment and $950,000 in bonds to finance the design of the pier and ferry terminal. The funds will pay for the preliminary design and engineering plans, but do not cover administrative costs.

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 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 high-speed ferry terminal and docking facility, slated to cost $20.2 million, 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.


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