Advocates optimistic for Takanassee solution

Advocates optimistic for Takanassee solution
Port Huron house still needs a new site
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer

LONG BRANCH — Advocates for preserving all three of the Takanassee Beach Club buildings expressed optimism last week that the Port Huron house will remain in Long Branch.

The house is the smallest of the three buildings on the beach club site in the Elberon section of the city and the only one remaining whose fate remains uncertain.

The former Takanassee Beach Club site on Ocean Avenue was originally U.S. Lifesaving Station No. 5.

Developer Isaac Chera, principal of Takanassee Developers, purchased the property for just under $18 million from members of the Peters family.

The developer was issued a Coastal Area Facility ReviewAct (CAFRA) permit by the state Department of Environmental Protection to permit

"construction of a luxury condominium project on the oceanfront site.

Chera cannot proceed with the project until he complies with the conditions listed in the CAFRA permit, which include preserving the three historic buildings on the site.

Plans call for one of the structures, the boathouse, to be preserved on site and become part of the new development, and for the others to be relocated and restored off site.

A Monmouth County official has confirmed that the county will move the Captain's House to its Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park.

The Port Huron building, a former residence, is the remaining structure, which must be moved, but there is not yet a new site for the house.

Councilman Brian Unger has lobbied for the building to remain within the city limits, and as of last week Unger said he is optimistic that a solution will be found.

"I am cautiously optimistic that we will find a place in Long Branch," Unger said in an interview. "I think progress is being made."

A member of the Long Branch Historical Museum Association echoed Unger's sentiment.

"Things are progressing," Jim Foley said. "If there is funding, then it should be a no-brainer.

"There should be no problem keeping all three buildings in Long Branch," Foley added. "Hopefully Congressman [Frank] Pallone can be of assistance."

However, even if funding is obtained, there are potential problems involved in moving the building.

Unger, who led a tour of the Takanassee property in July, mentioned overhead wires and optical fibers as possible problems in moving the Port Huron building.

"That's why moving it from Elberon to North Long Branch is so difficult," he said. "There have been talks about using a barge.

"Since the building is right on the ocean, that might be the easiest way," he added.

Also optimistic about finding a good fit for the building is Lawrence Jacobs, attorney for the Takanassee developer.

Jacobs said in an interview last week that there have been inquiries about the Port Huron house.

"Some are local, some are not local," Jacobs said. "We have had discussions.

"It would be unfair to disclose them now," he added. "We have done our due diligence on feasible names and locations.

"Relocation is a priority," he continued.

Jacobs, of Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, Woodbridge, said there are also historic preservation regulations that must be followed when the building is moved.

He also said that some of the inquiries are from parties that want the building but don't really have a use for it.

Unger has long lobbied for the building to be moved and reused as a maritime and surfing museum.

"When finding a place, the location has to work," he said.

Unger also spoke about the possibility of the building ending up on a city-owned property.

"If we can't find a private property to take the building, a city-owned property might work," Unger said.

In the past some of the sites that have been publicly discussed as options are Hoey Park, Manahasset Creek Park and the Church of the Seven Presidents Park.

While there is still a level of uncertainty about the future of the Port Huron house, people vested in its preservation are confident that there will be a solution announced soon.

"Things are moving along," Foley said. "Hopefully we will have some public comment soon."

Contact Kenny Walter at

kwalter@gmnews.com.


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