Boardwalk redevelopment sets the stage for waterfront transformation.

Board by board, piling by piling, the reconstruction of Asbury Park's renowned mile-long boardwalk is moving ahead, setting the stage for progress on the entire Oceanfront Asbury waterfront redevelopment.

Asbury Partners, LLC is rebuilding the mile-long, 60-foot wide structure as part of its role as prime developer for the 56-acre, mixed-use Oceanfront Asbury waterfront redevelopment.

"The substructure framing for the first section of the renovated boardwalk, stretching from the Casino Building to Fifth Avenue, is already in place, and the herring-bone pattern of pressure-treated southern yellow pine boards is about to be laid," said Larry Fishman, chief operating officer for Asbury Partners, LLC.

Demolition of that portion of the boardwalk was completed in mid-October, and the piling and framing for Phase II is expected to begin in early February. "All of the work will be completed for an exciting 2004 season," said Fishman.

In keeping with their commitment to ensure that the Oceanfront Asbury revitalization project brings benefits to all the citizens of Asbury Park, Asbury Partners retained two local firms--S&W General Contracting Inc. and Vaccaro Enterprises LLC to handle demolition work.

S&W, which is serving as general contractor, has offices in Cherry Hill and Asbury Park and has been certified by the New Jersey Commerce & Economic Growth Commission as a Minority Business Enterprise. Vaccaro Enterprises, a general contracting firm based in Asbury Park, is the project manager for S&W. Simpson & Brown of Cranford, New Jersey, is the general contractor for the reconstruction.

These firms, in turn, are involving city residents in the demolition and reconstruction process through STARS (Strategic Target Area Rebuilding Spirit).

A Community Development Corporation, STARS is focused on ensuring that Small, Minority and Women Owned businesses (SBE, MBE and WBE) have an opportunity to compete openly on public--and private-sector contract work.

S&W has already awarded subcontracts to Gordon Construction, an MBE based in Asbury Park, which worked on the demolition in Phase I of the project, and Theo's Enterprise, another locally based firm, which worked on Phase 11 demolition.

There is also a sign-up program focusing on residents who wish to be considered for construction jobs. Several people from that list have been selected and are expected to start work shortly.

"The boardwalk has historically been a focal point for this city and, in many ways, the laying of its new foundation symbolizes a laying of the foundation for progress on the entire Oceanfront Asbury revitalization project," noted Fishman.

"The Technical Review Committee has approved renovation plans for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Avenue beach pavilions. All three pavilions are expected to be in front of the planning board by mid-February or early March with initial construction planned for late May or early June.

Renovation of the boardwalk pavilions, together with Convention Hall, will help reinvigorate this city's reputation as a thriving entertainment, vacation and retail hub."