Hurricane Sandy

Belmar Mayor: Tourism Will Come Back, Business Will Be There

Doherty among panelists at NJBIZ forum

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty said that while the borough is quickly working to rebuild its destroyed boardwalk, so too are businesses quickly working to reopen in time for Memorial Day. That's when the borough hopes to have its boardwalk open, and Doherty said the signs are there that the coming tourism season will be stronger than ever. For example, beach badge sales are up more than 40 percent. NJBIZ hosted Doherty and other speakers in its real estate symposium. The mayor discussed developer interest in beachfront Belmar, and urged local businesses to be ready for this season, according to the NJBIZ article, here. Other speakers focused on smart grown after Hurricane Sandy, and what comprised "the new normal" for real estate after the …

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Belmar Planning Board Will Investigate Ocean Ave. Redevelopment Area Possibilities

Council directs board to see if outside developers would be interested in crafting plans for destroyed beachfront

What the rebuilt Belmar's concessions and gazebos would look like is undecided, and the borough has tasked the planning board with investigating whether an outside developer could help decide. A recently passed council resolution labeled Ocean Avenue a redevelopment area, specifically, the property from the ocean to the Ocean Avenue curb all owned by the borough. Destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, the previous concessions, pavilions and other structures along the waterfront were demolished. Belmar has begun rebuilding its boardwalk, but does not expect to replace the beachfront buildings in time for a Memorial Day opening. Temporary trailers are expected to replace concessions. Buildings may be up for 2014's tourist season, Doherty said. But …

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