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It was a ceremonial celebration that was a long time coming – four years of planning, fundraising starts and stops, and a last minute administrative Hail Mary by Monmouth County officials.

At 11 a.m. Tuesday, those behind the scenes, from local and county officials to state and federal assists, came together to mark the launch of The Renaissance, a part of the Springwood Avenue corridor revitalization expected to be complete within a two year time frame.

The $20.2 million project features 64 town-home style units for families with a variety of incomes at or below 60 percent of the area’s median income. Five of those units will be reserved for homeless individuals and families, with a preference going toward homeless veterans, project officials said. During the first 90 days of leasing, a priority will be given to those displaced by or whose homes were damaged during Hurricane Sandy.

“After years of neglect and being thought of as the stepchild of Asbury Park, the west side is seeing a resurgence of development,” said the Marlton-based company’s Vice President of Development Gin Dawson. “We are so proud to be a part of this chapter in Asbury Park’s History.”

Rev Derinzer Johnson of St Stephen AME Zion Church, a 27 year long member of the community, said he hopes the development affords opportunities for locals and provides employment for city residents.

“Renaissance – the name of the project,” said Mayor John Moor. “Rebirth, renewal of life, vigor interest and revival, that is something that Springwood Avenue needs. This is a great project and we are very proud of it. It was a long road and we could not have done it without Sen. Jennifer Beck, who helped us throughout the years. And then at the 11th hour, we needed help from the County and I have to thank Freeholder [Tom] Arnone and the rest of the [Monmouth] County Freeholders because without them we may not be standing here today.”

The aid came in the form of approving a funding structure that was a rarity at the County level, said Moor, who also made a plea for the use of local contractors, laborers, and residents.

“This is a great project,” Moor said before imploring the developer to give 110 percent to hiring city residents.

Behind the scenes, three women are credited for their steadfast determination to drive the project forward. They include Dawson, Beck and Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton.

Clayton said after not qualifying for the first two rounds of Hurricane Sandy funding, the Mayor and City Council questioned what changes they needed to make in their approach. Dawson, she said, became a true partner and Beck took on the role as an advocate by providing a bridge to discussions with HMFA Executive Director Anthony L. Marchetta.

“He helped us identify the areas of our past inefficiencies,” Clayton said. “At last the work was done, the financing was received, and the papers were signed…A community is being given new hope because of this project, the Boston Way rebuilding and Interfaith Neighbors [Turf Club] townhouses. For decades, this community has been waiting for development, waiting to feel valued and cared for; they stopped dreaming that a change was going to come. When we break ground today, this is a new beginning; watch this community fly.”

Beck credited the Michaels Organization, who took on the development right years ago, for never giving up on their vision.

“It’s remarkable standing here because if you go back 30 to 40 years, you’d see the grocery stores and the people living here,” Arnone said. “When the Mayor called me, and this was a very excited John Moor, and it was very much a time of essence on getting a project done that was a little unique maybe to the County, the County was not tunnel visioned – they said wow, this is the way you can do it. All the parties came together for the total outcome of where we stand today. This is what we are here to do in government.”

Freeholder John Curley recalled his time spent in the city during the 1960s and 70s.

“I have to salute the governing body of this great city, through the years, through the decades, through the generations, for having the spirit to keep Asbury Park alive,” Curley said. “Asbury Park has reached a new pinnacle. And that pinnacle comes not only from the governing body but first and foremost from the citizens and residents of the community.”

Marchetta said over $650 million Sandy funding dollars was distributed throughout nine counties; with the lion’s share being distributed to the three hardest hit communities in Monmouth, Ocean and Atlantic County. Over 76 projects, representing over 6,000 units will be developed, he said.

Michaels Organization Vice President Joel Silver, a 20 year veteran of the HMFA and DCA, said while the national company does the majority of its work in Newark, Jersey City, and is developing new offices on the waterfront in Camden, they hopes this is the start of a development relationship in Asbury Park.

“We share your commitment to the residents from jobs during the construction to making sure the residents will live in The Renaissance for many, many years,” Silver said. “We promise to Asbury Park and its residents that 35 years from now, The Renaissance will be a credit to this community. It’s an affordable, high-quality asset.”

Silver also made a pledge to help lift the lives of future generations through its Educational Foundation, which has awarded more than $5.9 million in  scholarships for post secondary education, which includes 300 scholarships totaling 750,000 in New Jersey.

“This is a great day for the community,” said local equitable construction employment advocate Duanne Small of Kingz Construction. “We have been looking forward to this for so long and I’m just grateful and thankful that we have people in this community who were willing to step up and do this.

“We also have to thank those who put this in motion, the prior administration, and the administration now that is carrying this forward,” Small said. “I’m thankful and I’m happy and I can’t wait for this to take off.”

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