10th Change Order Passes for AP Fire Department Headquarters: Total Cost $18.6 Million

The Asbury Park City Council held its second meeting of the year on Wednesday, Feb 11, 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 Eileen Chapman, along with other city officials. Yvonne Clayton was absent.

Compared to the packed meeting seen two weeks ago, this week’s meeting was sparsely attended.

During comments from elected officials, Deputy Mayor Quinn announced that in the Fall that the town would have a sidewalk sale the 2nd Sunday of the month. This will allow local small businesses to sell items on the sidewalk without a permit. Deputy Mayor Quinn hoped that this will be of some help to small businesses struggling in the current economy.

City Attorney Starkey reiterated to the audience that he has advised the governing body to refrain from commenting on Madison Marquette, citing the potential for litigation. He noted that a lack of comment by the governing body should not be interpreted as anything other than following his legal advice. He also reminded the audience that there will be a meeting Wednesday, February 18 at 6pm at Asbury Park High School with the Redevelopment Counsel in attendance that will address recent issues with Madison Marquette.

Public comment was dominated by residents of surrounding communities, concerned about the future of the waterfront. Many shared the history of how Asbury Park got to where it is today. One attendee commented that they were priced out of Asbury Park as condominiums continue to be built along the waterfront.

Former Lt Governor Kim Guadagno, President and CEO of the Mercy Center, also spoke at public comment. She had just been at the warming center on Main Street and shared that 15 people were already lined up to get in. She stressed the importance of Asbury Park welcoming the unhoused and thanked the city for its’ support. Deputy Mayor Quinn encouraged those from out of town in the audience to lobby their governing bodies to create a Code Blue Warming Center in their towns.

Another speaker discussed offensive graffiti at the corner of Bond and Mattison and shared that while he reported it to the city, it had yet to be removed.

One contentious item on the agenda was a change order for the new Asbury Park Fire Department headquarters. The change order, the 10th added since the project began, adds $17,000 to the project, which now has a total cost of $18.6 million. Initially Councilmember Abhez-Anderson voted in favor, with Councilmember Chapman and

Deputy Mayor Quinn opposed. Mayor Moor supported the change order, but voted no so he could raise a motion to reconsider later.

Mayor Moor remarked that this project is nearing completion and did not want this to hold that up. He laid the blame on the City, rather than the contractor for the cost underestimate. He then made a motion to reconsider. Councilmember Chapman switched her vote, allowing the resolution to pass 3-1 with Deputy Mayor Quinn continuing to oppose the measure.

Near the end of the meeting there was a second meeting to amend the Main Street Redevelopment Plan to accommodate the recent move by the Mercy Center. The previous Redevelopment Plan allows for a food pantry at the specific lot and block where the Mercy Center was previous located and had to be changed to specify the new lot.

Lt Governor Guadagno spoke again and discussed the expansion of the food pantry that will happen at the new location, should the council approve the amendment to the redevelopment plan. She also announced the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen plans to open in the front of the new location. This would be their fourth location, with two locations already located in Toms River and one located in Red Bank.

The ordinance amending the redevelopment plan passed unanimously, and the meeting concluded.

The next Asbury Park City Council meeting is a special meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m. at Asbury Park High School.