Extension of trial period sought for boardwalk lighting
City seeks input from public
The city and two waterfront redevelopers are seeking to extend the trial period for three boardwalk street light fixtures.
The black decorative street lamps have sound systems to play music, and one has an LED digital screen that can display messages or advertisements. The three test lights were donated by Amerlux lighting system, city engineer Joe Cunha said at a council meeting last month.
The trial period for the lighting is over, according to economic development director Tom Gilmour. The city, along with waterfront redevelopers Madison Marquette and iStar Financial, are asking Amerlux to extend the trial to the end of the year, he said.
In addition, Gilmour says the city wants public input about the lighting. He encouraged anyone to email him their comments at tom.gilmour@cityofasburypark.com.
Two of the test lights — including the one with the LED digital display — are on the east edge of the boardwalk. Lighting there is owned and installed by the city, according to Donald Sammet, the city’s director of planning and redevelopment. The city is currently evaluating changes to its boardwalk lighting, he said.
If the city decides to install new lights on the east edge of the boardwalk, a competitive bidding process is required. The city may specify that bidders include the features and components of the test lighting.
Meanwhile, a deadline has passed for boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette to submit a supplemental lighting plan required under the waterfront redevelopment agreement, Sammet said. Madison Marquette would install the supplemental lighting on the west edge of the boardwalk, where one of the test lights is located, he said.
The purpose of the supplemental lighting plan is to provide “decorative lighting and illumination,” Sammet said. However, with the city considering changes to its lights on the east side of the boardwalk, the city agreed with Madison Marquette’s request to delay implementation of the supplemental lighting plan until the final lighting patterns on the boardwalk are determined, he said.
The test lights are controlled wirelessly, so the police department “can tie in and set off emergency lighting,” Cunha said at the Aug. 1 council meeting when the program was first presented. It is also possible to install cameras in the lights. The lights also have colors that can function decoratively. They are built to withstand heavy weather.
