Politics & Government

Belmar Pavilion Measures On Tap Wednesday

Belmar’s boardwalk reconstruction may be the main topic of discussion at tonight’s Borough Council meeting as the governing body holds a public hearing on three ordinances funding the construction of two pavilions on the boardwalk.

Two of the measures would fund the construction of pavilions at 5th and at 10th avenues, totaling $7 million. A third measure would repeal an earlier, $7.1 million bond ordinance the council had passed that sought to fund the construction of the pavilions, which were intended to be two-story structures.

The plans have been changed, however, and the pavilion at 5th Avenue – the former Taylor Pavilion – will be a single-story structure. It is the third time plans for the pavilions have been scaled back since they were first discussed.

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The hearings, scheduled for 6 p.m. at borough hall, 601 Main St., will happen just hours after a court-ordered conference between borough officials and the “Let The Citizens Decide’’ group – a citizens group that objected to the designation of a redevelopment zone and the means by which the borough planned to pay for the construction.

Borough officials revealed the redevelopment plans for the boardwalk, which originally included three, two-story pavilions, adding a rooftop mini-golf course and other amenities to a boardwalk that had previously not had them.

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But public outcry nixed one of the pavilions slated for construction at 8th Avenue. And Taylor Pavilion will go from two-stories to one based on public outcry Mayor Matt Doherty said.

But the citizens group had already filed three lawsuits, challenging the borough’s decision to declare the boardwalk an area in need of redevelopment when it was largely rebuilt and the borough’s plan to pay for the new pavilions with the town’s beach utility fund and through higher beach fees.

Those are the matters before Lawson now. The two sides have been ordered to appear in Freehold Wednesday. 


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