Discussion Over Cost, Look of Belmar Boardwalk Pavilions

Belmar is developing plans to replace three of the four boardwalk pavilions destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, and presented architectural plans that include a banquet space, elevated tower and new vendor storefronts among the designs.

Belmar Councilman Brian Magovern, liaison to the committee to rebuild the beachfront, said the plans are the work of many meetings and input from the public. Magovern said input from public safety, tourism, local business and historical research all went into the plans, which drew praise and also additional suggestions in the July council meeting. 

Though the plans passed council vote, the designs drew criticism from some members of the public and Belmar Council Republican Jim Bean for lacking an estimated price for the project.
Bean asked borough officials and project engineers at the meeting for even the most general of cost estimates, but the officials could not provide one saying things such as choice of building materials could lead to widely varying costs. The lack of financial specifics and what Bean said was a lack of transparency over the project led him to vote no.

The idea is to build three of the four oceanfront pavilions by next Memorial Day, and that a fourth pavilion plan was not presented because more discussion is going into developing the plans there, Magovern said. The discussion could even come to the conclusion that three pavilions are better than four, he said. 

The 10th Avenue Pavilion would grow to new heights with an observation tower. Though neighbors voiced some concern over the new skyline credit by the pavilion, others including local lifeguards and law enforcement praised the tower as a much needed public safety improvement. The tower would provide lifeguards, EMS and others a view up and down the beach to spot swimmers in distress, illicit activity or other concerns from higher ground.

The 10th Avenue Pavilion would have lifeguard and other storage on its beach level, with roll-up doors. The boardwalk or first floor would house 815 square feet for concessions, and rooms for a police substation, EMS with exam room, and lifeguard office.

The Taylor Pavilion is proposed with a second-floor room available for community events as a banquet room. The room will include a kitchen, bathroom and balcony, to accommodate 200 people within the 4300 square-foot room. The first-floor will have a 1,400 square-foot concession space, badge sales, seniors’ club storage, a women’s club kitchen, a coat room and lobby. Some members of the public were concerned over the possibility of private events creating noise in the late night, as well as garbage. Others public comments praised the opportunity for revenue a banquet space could create for borough rental income.

The rooftop of the 8th Avenue Pavilion could also feature a mini-golf course, a new idea to the pavilion. Officials said they liked the idea after hearing concerns about a lack of activities for the beachfront and the inability to walk to the marina mini-golf course. On the lower level, four smaller and one large concession area would accommodate tenants. The largest space is 2,500 square feet.

Though Bean had concerns over what the cost could be, Mayor Matt Doherty and Borough Administrator Colleen Connolly said the project would likely be reimbursed by FEMA, up to 90 percent.

For the complete presentation of architectural designs, visit our accompanying story, here.