The northern beachfront entryway to Asbury Park has just been spruced up.
At the Loch Arbour entrance to Asbury Park, waterfront redeveloper Asbury Partners last week installed trees and a mix of stone, grass and various shrubs.
The improvements are part of the redeveloper’s ongoing streetscape program, according to Brian Cheripka, vice president of land for iStar Financial, which is the majority owner of Asbury Partners.
The streetscape project began in the spring at the southern end of the waterfront redevelopment zone, concentrating on Cookman Avenue from the beachfront to the downtown business district. That phase is almost complete, and Asbury Partners wanted next to target the northern entryway at Loch Arbour, Cheripka said.
“We recognize its importance as an entryway and it’s been neglected for some time,” he said. “What we’re doing there is consistent with the landscaping project at the south end of trees, small shrubs and grass.”
The new landscaping was planted on a triangular parcel owed by Asbury Partners that has long been a parking lot. That tract is now fenced off and unused. Approved plans call for a mid-rise residential tower on the site. Adjacent to this tract is another piece of land where 15 three-story townhouses are approved for the Bradley Cove project. Asbury Partners owns the development rights to that parcel.
The two tracts together are approximately 1.2 acres. County officials are exploring obtaining the land for a regional park. Cheripka has previously said that Asbury Partners will keep an open mind toward any offers from the county to buy the parcels.
