---

The whole exterior promenade at Convention Hall was closed today in response to a concrete slab that fell from the ceiling on Sunday, according to Madison Marquette senior vice president Anselm Fusco.

The closing of the outdoor areas now includes the Beach Bar on the south side of the building. The Anchor’s Bend bar on the building’s north side — where the incident occurred on Sunday [above] — has been closed since the concrete fell.

The grand arcade walkway through the building remains open, as do the businesses there. Madison Marquette, the boardwalk redeveloper, owns Convention Hall.

“We are profoundly thankful that no one was injured in this accident,” said Fusco in a statement. “We are also grateful for the quick action of the City of Asbury Park first responders and are proud of our staff.”

“The exterior promenade of the building, including Anchor’s Bend and the Beach Bar, will be closed while we work to determine the cause of this incident,” he said. “From there we will work with our professionals and the City to determine what actions are required to repair and safely reopen the building.”

The 12 foot by 6 foot concrete slab fell from the ceiling on Sunday about an hour before a scheduled baby shower in the same location.

Construction official George Selah examined the site Sunday afternoon, and determined that the exterior area where the Beach Bar is located could reopen, city Fire Marshall Garett Giberson told the Sun yesterday.

Madison Marquette instead chose to close all the outdoor promenade areas as a precaution, according to Fusco.

For a Sun photo album from Sunday’s incident of the falling concrete and the damage it caused, please click here. 

————————————————————

Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook and Twitter.

---