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The Arthur Pryor band shell above the Sunset Avenue pavilion has been stripped down to its steel shell, as the wood on the structure was rotting and becoming a safety hazard, according to officials of the city and boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette.

Asbury Park director of planning and redevelopment Donald Sammet, who confirmed that the rotting wood had become a safety hazard, said that the developer’s agreement between Madison Marquette and the city requires that the area continue to be used as a performance space with a band shell.

“The band shell is going to stay up there,” he said. “The use will stay up there. It may not be the same [structural design of the band shell] that was up there, but the concept will be the same. There will be a performance space and seating up there.”

Sammet said that under the developer’s agreement Madison Marquette is required to submit a design plan for a new band shell. He said the city’s planning board and technical review committee will review and approve the plans, which have yet to be submitted.

If the costs to replace the band shell is over $600,000, Madison Marquette will have 30 months from the date of approvals to rebuild it, Sammet said.  If the cost is $600,000 or less, the redeveloper will have 18 months to complete the project.

Madison Marquette senior vice-president Anselm Fusco said that his company expects to submit the design plans for the band shell to the city in two to three months.

“We are looking at the different structural options and are excited to rebuild it as an outdoor performance space,” Fusco said. “We’re going to have a band shell and about 300 fixed seats.”

One section of the roof will be redesigned to allow it also to be used as an event space, he said.

“it’s going to be absolutely unique, with awesome and amazing views of the ocean,” said Fusco in reference to the whole outdoor roof area.

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