Asbury LLC names three subcontractors.

Asbury Partners, LLC has announced the selection of three local Asbury Park contracting firms to participate in rebuilding the first phase of the waterfront infrastructure project within the 56-acre Oceanfront Asbury redevelopment.

The three companies--A&H Construction, CIN Construction and Taylor Brothers Contracting LLC--were selected after a year-long qualification and open-bidding process. Schoor DePalma Engineers and Consultants, the principal engineering consultant for the Oceanfront Asbury project, subcontracted the Asbury Park firms.

The total estimated contract value for the three participating sub-contractors is $1.2 million.

"We have always said that Oceanfront Asbury is about more than just bricks and mortar. It is about the future of one of New Jersey's most important shore areas and the future of all of its residents," said Larry Fishman, chief operating officer of Asbury Partners. "One of our goals is to have as many Asbury Park businesses and workers as possible benefiting from the project. These three firms are just the first. We are continuing to work with local businesses to involve others in the redevelopment."

The bidding and selection process was unusual in that it involved the community contractors from the very beginning.

"Every effort has been made for inclusion and fair selection, and even for training down the road," said Dr. Guy McCombs, who heads Asbury Partners' community outreach efforts. "We brought people together from day one, asking them to help us make the process community friendly."

Asbury Partners' ongoing goal to involve local citizens in the redevelopment project is being accomplished in conjunction with Asbury Works, the City's Workforce Development initiative, as well as with the appropriate unions. "We first screened local contracting firms to determine their qualifications based on proper credentials, equipment capabilities, bonding, etc.," McCombs explained. "We then put out notices to all the qualifying firms of bidding opportunities. We provided very detailed planning specifications and guidelines, and we met often with those firms to provide as much support as possible throughout the bidding process."

Tamara Richardson, head of Asbury Works, has been working with the local firms to meet their employment needs as they arise.

The three newly selected Asbury Park contracting firms will be working on hardscape and streetscape components of the Phase I infrastructure improvements. A&H Construction, which is located at 47 Borden Avenue, specializes in concrete, brick, block and masonry. CIN Construction, located at 601 Bangs Avenue, provides brick and block work as well as demolition, concrete and general construction.

Taylor Brothers Contracting LLC, situated at 707 Fourth Avenue, is a general contractor. J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, the contracting firm overseeing the infrastructure work, has given each firm specific assignments based on their individual expertise.

Asbury Partners has committed to upgrading the waterfront area's anti-quated infrastructure and has already invested more than $13.2 million in infrastructure analysis, design, and construction. The first phase of the upgrades began in April 2005. This $15.7 million Phase I of a total $60 million upgrade includes the rebuilding of roads, curbs, utilities, sanitary sewers and storm drains.

"We have already made significant headway on this part of the project," noted John Davies of Schoor DePalma Engineers and Consultants. "The reconstruction and installation of all utilities, including water mains, sanitary sewers, storm drains and water quality structures as well as base paving have been completed on Third, Fourth, Seventh Avenues, and half of Sixth Avenue."

The infrastructure program also has included laying of a new water main down Cookman Avenue, and the setting up of the balance of utilities will be completed shortly. All utilities have also been installed at the triangle intersection of Asbury, Cookman and Kingsley Avenues. In addition, water quality structures are now in place for both Wesley and Deal Lakes, safeguarding the health of aquatic animals and vegetation and preserving the purity of the water and overall character of the lakes.