Group presses for improvements to Ocean Ave.

Group presses for improvements to Ocean Ave.
Save Ocean Avenue asks for upgrades to boardwalk, facilities
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer

A group of residents is asking the city to repair deteriorated conditions, including sidewalks and restrooms, along a stretch of Ocean Avenue. A group of residents is asking the city to repair deteriorated conditions, including sidewalks and restrooms, along a stretch of Ocean Avenue. LONG BRANCH — The Save Ocean Avenue Committee is pushing the newly seated Long Branch City Council for changes along the beachfront.

Dennis Sherman, one of the committee’s eight members, handed the four new council members and council President Mary Jane Celli a list of priorities for improvements to Ocean Avenue, including traffic flow, the boardwalk and public facilities, at the July 27 workshop session.

Sherman explained to the council the community group’s history with the previous City Council.

“We have worked patiently for the past three and a half years meeting, talking, idea after idea,” he said. “Now is the time for you in good conscience to devote resources to the south end of the boardwalk and create your legacy that will stand for years to come.”

Before describing the 14-point priority list the committee developed for the stretch of Ocean Avenue between West End and Atlantic avenues, Sherman named the variety of sources of funding for the improvements.

“Funding for these projects can come from the [state] Green Acres [program], can come from Monmouth County grants, New Jersey Department of Transportation special projects, can come from private donations,” he stated.

The priority list for the area includes new railings, road improvements, changing the traffic flow to one-way, finishing a bike path, a sculpture of a seal, the creation of an art walk, painting the public bathroom facilities, creating historical plaques, boardwalk improvements, safety improvements, creation of shade areas, and writing Green Acres grants.

Sherman said the city already gets Green Acres money that could be used for Ocean Avenue.

“For years, Green Acres money has been spent in this city on other parks totaling over $6.4 million,” he said. “The city has spent money on the southern part of the boardwalk.”

Sherman also asked council to support an additional improvement: changing the railings of the boardwalk.

“The new railings is something I think we all agree on,” he said. “The new railings will replace rusted-out railings that have existed for 10 years.”

He suggested that because of stalled development in certain beachfront sections of the city, Ocean Avenue should be one-way traffic up to Pavilion Avenue in order to dedicate a lane for cyclists, skaters and pedestrians.

Sherman also suggested that the city draft ordinances similar to those in Toms River and Red Bank that fine vehicles for not properly stopping at high-use pedestrian intersections.

He went on to say that some of the items listed, such as public benches, could fall into the public works budget.

The impact of the changes, he told council, would be to allow visitors to learn about the history of the city.

“These are beautiful ways to introduce the historical [legacy] of Long Branch to the people,” he said. “The people will love to read about the seven presidents and all the history of Long Branch.”

He also suggested that the changes would seal the legacy of the new council.

“The beach and boardwalk are a jewel waiting to be polished,” he said. “It is one of the most unique beaches and boardwalks on all of the New Jersey Shore.

“The choice and the legacy is yours. I hope the council takes this up.”

After the presentation, Celli suggested that the council wait before they take up some of the issues discussed.

“Give council an opportunity to go over the entire presentation,” she said. “Money is very, very tight, and we are going to have to look for state funding and revenues to come in.

“Give us a good two months, and we will talk,” she added.





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