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Boardwalk patrons and beachgoers can expect changes to the scenery this summer if boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette is granted municipal approval for the stalled First Avenue Pavilion Art Wall project.

The art wall facing Ocean Avenue will be located on a wall of the pavilion that houses Stella Marina, Cubacan, Blu Nami, Watermark, and Just Another Day’s Ice Cream shop.

While the city’s Planning Board granted the project conceptual approval in May 2013, Madison now will return to the board for final approval.

“The Art Wall project is inspired by Asbury’s proximity to the sea,” Madison Senior Vice President Anselm Fusco said. “We’re really happy to be working with a local artist and craftsman who has done so much restoration work on Convention Hall.”

Fusco said craftsmen Mel Stultz and Larry Potter of Landmark Studios will lead the project into a projected July 1 completion date.

“We hope and believe that working with people who know Asbury so well will resonate with people and help to connect the sculpture to Asbury Park,” Fusco said.

In addition, the redeveloper seeks city approval to expand the boardwalk’s foot traffic by adding a food truck court to the landscape, as previously reported in the triCityNews.

Their plans are to place six trucks, picnic tables and two additional trucks with boardwalk style games in an open area north of Convention Hall past the vacant Sunset Avenue pavilion. There will be improvements to the landscaping, signage and string lights to complete the ambiance.

“We are not looking to compete with our existing tenants, but to broaden the offerings,” Fusco said.  “Like a vegan or vegetarian, or a Vietnamese sandwich. Or barbecue. It will be high quality and reasonable price points. And it’s a way of seeing what works on the boardwalk.”

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