Groundbreaking ceremony held for Long Branch complex.

New Jersey Governor James McGreevey joined state, county and local luminaries recently at groundbreaking ceremonies for Pier Village, a $95 million mixed-use oceanfront complex which will rise on the site of an old amusement park in the Monmouth County City of Long Branch.

Applied Development Company of Hoboken was tapped by Long Branch last year to redevelop a 16-acre tract between Melrose Terrace and Laird Street that formerly housed Kids World, a once-popular amusement facility that had deteriorated. badly and was razed last year. The development company will shortly begin construction of 420 upscale residences and 100,000 SF of shops and restaurants on the site, in addition to a newly-restored boardwalk and new public park.

Leasing of Pier Village's commercial component -- a unique variety of year-round shops, restaurants, entertainment and service providers -- is scheduled to commence this summer. A priority waitlist is being compiled for the residential units and initial occupancy is expected in December 2003.

"Pier Village is an example of when government works...an example of an effective public/private partnership," stated McGreevey, who added that he expects large investments by the state to continue during the next two years for similar projects in Long Branch. The state invested $11.2 million in Pier Village. "The Monmouth County oceanfront is a precious resource. The development started today will be a neighborhood-friendly project that will help spur an economic revitalization throughout the area."

McGreevey also credited Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider with laying the groundwork necessary for making Pier Village a reality.

"This is an important day for Long Branch in that Pier Village will be a major component of the overall reinvestment and redevelopment of the city," noted Schneider. "Our intention is to restore vitality throughout the city, spurring a renaissance of Long Branch that's not just limited to the waterfront, but extends beyond Ocean Avenue into the city's neighborhoods for all of our residents to enjoy."

Pier Village received both financial and regulatory support from the state due in large part to the development's location and design which furthers the intent of the state plan, notes David Barry, Applied's president.

"The project's urban design will stimulate pedestrian activity with densely-situated mixed-uses surrounding open public plazas," he explains. "Public access to the oceanfront will be restored through a new boardwalk and numerous walkways, bike paths and more than 700 designated parking spaces, while year-round retail conveniences will ensure activity from morning to night throughout the year. In short, we believe Pier Village will become the Jersey Shore's premier destination for living, dining and shopping."

Applied's role in the ambitious plan for coastal Long Branch to revitalize much of its Atlantic Ocean shoreline extends beyond Pier Village. The developer will break ground by year's end for an additional 350 luxury residences on 25 acres in the district's Beachfront North section. The company is also currently building and marketing with D.R. Mon Group 38 new for-sale homes for moderate-income families, and will shortly break ground on an additional 48 moderate-income homes -- all located on scattered sites in a neighborhood designated for assistance by the Urban Coordinating Council and within Long Branch's Urban Enterprise Zone.

The Applied projects are the latest signs of a general revitalization of Long Branch's beachfront which includes the renovation of the Ocean Plaza Conference Resort Hotel and the opening of a new Promenade Beach Club.

"This is very exciting time for Long Branch," Barry adds. "We believe the continued strong local support and development of the beachfront will spark citywide reinvestment and revitalization."