Officials break ground on $1.4 million Wesley Lake project
Replacement of Sandy damaged retaining wall has already started
Members of the Wesley Lake Commission held a press conference Wednesday to ceremoniously break ground near the site of the sunken retaining wall and to update the thermometer that tracks funds secured toward the completion of the $12 million project.
“We’re looking forward to bring it back to be a healthy, environmental asset to both [Asbury Park and Neptune] communities,” said Vito Gadaletta, business administrator for Neptune Township. “We are going to work collectively with the city and we look forward to bringing Wesley Lake back.”
Wesley Lake separates the northern portion of Ocean Grove from Asbury Park.
Funds for the restoration project were secured last July through a federal grant from the National Resource Conservation Service [NRCS] administered by the United States Department of Agriculture. The agency’s purpose is to help landowners “conserve, maintain and improve their natural resources,” according to the website.
The scope of the $1.4 million NRCS grant addresses demolition and repair of the damaged Wesley Lake retaining wall near Founder’s Park, removal of sediment and debris from both Wesley and Fletcher lakes, according to the commission’s engineer, Peter Avakian, who said the project’s expected completion is by Memorial Day.
The grant was secured by Leanne Hoffmann, director of engineering and planning for Neptune Township, Avakian said.
Approximately $400,000 will pay for the removal of silt in the eastern portion of Wesley Lake, $300,000 will pay for the desilting of Fletcher Lake and the rest will be used to repair the retaining wall, said Avakian.
Precise Construction, a company based out of Freehold, was awarded the contract for the project, he said.
[Pictured above, from left to right: Neptune Mayor Michael Brantley, Wesley Lake Commissioners Jim Henry and Pastor Paul Brown, Asbury Park City Engineer Joe Cunha, Neptune Township Engineer Peter Avakian, Neptune Committeeman J. Randy Bishop, Wesley Lake Commissioner Sharon Davis.]
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