Residents United to Protect Asbury Park’s Identity

The Asbury Park City Council held its second meeting of the year on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building Council Chambers. In attendance were Mayor John Moor, Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn, Council members Angela Ahbez-Anderson and Yvonne Clayton, along with other city officials. Eileen Chapman was absent.

The meeting drew a packed crowd, with the parking lot full and every seat in the chamber occupied. Early in the meeting, City Attorney Kevin Starkey announced that an additional resolution had been added to the evening’s agenda.

The resolution, titled 2026-105: Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Asbury Park Authorizing Special Redevelopment Counsel to Issue Updated and/or Additional Notices of Default to Madison Asbury Retail, LLC With Specific Regard to the Casino Building, addresses the developer’s failure to meet obligations outlined in a 2010 developer agreement.

Starkey noted that the public would be permitted to comment on the resolution, encouraging residents to voice their concerns. He explained that public input would help provide the city with the necessary tools to engage developers and strengthen its position moving forward.

Following the announcement, representatives from APW Redeveloper presented plans for the redevelopment of Block 3803, Lot 1, and part of Block 4503, Lot 1, located at 200 Cookman Avenue and 100 Asbury Avenue. Presenters emphasized that the project would strictly involve redevelopment of an existing service parking lot, with no buildings being demolished.

The proposal includes 36 residential units, consisting of four one-bedroom apartments and 32 two-bedroom apartments, along with 58 garage parking spaces, updated fixtures, a rooftop terrace, bicycle storage, and electric vehicle charging stations.

Mayor Moor raised concerns about the inclusion of dens within the apartment units, questioning whether they would include windows. When presenters confirmed they would not, Moor stated his discomfort with rooms lacking natural light, noting the possibility that dens could be converted into bedrooms.
Deputy Mayor Quinn echoed a familiar concern, saying she felt like she was “beating the same drum,” as she again urged developers to incorporate art into the design.

The City Clerk then opened the floor for public comment, during which residents expressed strong opposition to replacing the Casino building with another apartment complex. Many speakers described the Casino as iconic and warned that continued overdevelopment could erode the city’s character.

A Deal Lake Drive resident voiced concerns about preserving Asbury Park’s historical integrity, arguing that redevelopment efforts should prioritize green spaces, dog parks, and community areas rather than what she described as “cookie-cutter buildings.”

Another resident raised concerns about parking, stating that the proposed plan would eliminate a significant portion of public parking currently available to city residents.

Additional speakers returned to the theme of overdevelopment, emphasizing the importance of art and architectural diversity in Asbury Park. One resident criticized the growing uniformity of new buildings and expressed frustration with Madison Marquette, noting that no representatives from the company were present at the meeting. They argued that the lack of direct communication between developers and residents has contributed to ongoing tensions.

Starkey responded by reiterating that the resolution was intentionally added to the agenda to invite public participation and gather feedback needed to address the issue.

The president of the Asbury Park Historical Society also addressed the council, expressing disappointment over developers allowing historic buildings to deteriorate. She warned that neglect often leads to claims that structures are too costly to repair, ultimately justifying demolition. Her concerns also extended to housing plans, noting that many recent developments prioritize one- and two-bedroom units — including the proposed project, which consists primarily of two-bedroom apartments — while little housing is being built to accommodate families.

Toward the end of public comment, a local Little League coach briefly lightened the mood by promoting an upcoming Little League breakfast scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. He also announced plans for a new soccer pitch behind Asbury Park High School and asked the council for support on the project.

Overall, residents made it clear that they were united in their efforts to protect Asbury Park’s identity and prevent historic buildings from being replaced by additional apartment developments.

Following public comment, much of the audience departed as the council moved on to voting on resolutions. The added resolution regarding Madison Asbury Retail, LLC was approved, appearing to satisfy those remaining in attendance. The meeting was then adjourned.

The next Asbury Park City Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building Council Chambers.