---

Returning from the drawing board, local redeveloper Sackman Enterprises Wednesday presented proposals for three redevelopment projects in the city’s downtown that will require amendments to the Central Business District Redevelopment Plan.

The project sneak peaks included the informally known Barry Slot Building [at right] located at 574 Cookman, the 711 Mattison Avenue site, and the Kinmonth Building – which houses the long vacant Savoy Theater at 704 to 720 Mattison Avenue. But, it is the former two projects that the developer is asking for relief of the current 45 foot height restriction.

Presented to the Mayor and City Council by architect Obi Agudosi, president & CEO of Newark-based OCA Architects, the redesigns takes into consideration what currently exists as well as their neighboring projects, he said.

“We believe the synergy between 711, the Savoy, that whole street, warrants something of this nature,” Agudosi said.

Agudosi, who serves as president of New Jersey State Board of Architects, is known for taking a unique spin on conventional projects, like the use of as modular construction.

First up is the restoration of the historic Press Plaza bank building [below] formerly owned by attorney Barry Slott.

The request is for 25 more feet to allow for a planned 18 residential units atop what will be a ground floor commercial space with a mezzanine and restaurant space. This is a reduction from the originally proposed 21 units. Instead, there will be six units per second and third floor comprised of studio and one bedroom homes. The top floor would also feature three 2-bedroom units.

Project Attorney Andrew Karas said the height relief would match the neighboring Steinbach building, which is among the developer’s downtown refurbished structures, like the Post, Press, and the Woodrow Wilson building located at 601 Mattison Avenue. Sackman Enterprises also has restored a number of New York City properties and have begun doing so in Austin.

“This is the second time this has been in front of me,” Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn said. “You take an architecturally super sharp building and then you put on something so modern that to me takes away the feel of the super strong architecture that exists there.”

Councilwoman Eileen Chapman said she agreed with Quinn’s assessment of the modern design a top the historic structure.

At 711 Mattison Avenue [at right] the request is to go five feet beyond the 45 foot height restriction to accommodate 188 parking units. This four-story project will house a basement level 132 parking garage;  first floor retail, exercise room and 56 other parking stalls; and 51 residential units comprised of 17 studio and one bedroom units.

“With this project we are trying to do something a little different,” Agudosi said. 

While the structure’s parking requirement mandates 87 stalls, Karas said they are looking to provide a total of 188 spaces should the height relief come to fruition. The extra stalls will be used to accommodate parking needs at the Kinmonth building, located directly across from the site.  

At the previously approved Kinmonth building [below right], the developer will return at a later date to request a change from housing units to a 100 room boutique hotel, featuring a rooftop pool and event space.

“I think it warrants that the downtown have their own hotel and that space within the hotel that can be utilized particularly in the off season,” Karas said.

Karas said the project’s shift in use would bring more than 100 jobs to the city.

Redevelopment Plan changes are introduced by the governing body, which serves as the municipality’s redevelopment authority. Those changes are then sent to the Planning Board to ensure changes conform with what is laid out in the Master Plan, and returned to the Mayor and City Council a final vote. If approved a redevelopment project then moves on to the Planning Board for site plan approval.

——————————————————————————————————-

Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.

---