Community Corner

Long Branch Planning Next Phase of Pier, Ferry Project

By Christopher Sheldon

Long Branch is moving to the next phase of its pier/ferry by finalizing a design for the project.

The city has sent out a request for qualifications/proposals (RFQ) for the pier and ferry terminal design and program management services.

Find out what's happening in Long Branch-Eatontownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

City Business Administrator Howard Woolley said the city selected a design for the pier/ferry in 2011 and is looking to "work off that design."

"There could be some tweaks and the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) requires us to get proposals from other professionals," Woolley said.

Find out what's happening in Long Branch-Eatontownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Over the years there have been five pier structures built in Long Branch and he last pier was destroyed by a fire in 1987.

Since then, the city's redevelopment plans have included building a pier/ferry in the are around Pier Village.

However, funding for the $100 million project has been limited, according to Woolley.

"We still don't have the money to build it, but if it becomes available, developers will want to see a shovel-ready project," Woolley said.

He said the completion of the latest development phase of the project, coupled with tidelands and coastal land use permits from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will make the project "shovel-ready."

The city has a $1.5 million grant from the FTA to pay for the design work it is current soliciting, Woolley said.

The Long Branch Council settled on a final design and opted for the "shaped" pier, which is a curved "L" shape. This design forms an extension of Laird Street, with a stairway at the pier's end which will provide beach access, according to the city's Pier Charette Report.

"The City retained a team led by McLaren Engineering Group that has completed initial engineering and design for the Pier project," the RFQ states. "That work has advanced plans and drawings to the 100% Schematic Design Development level."

The pier would have restaurants, entertainment venues, retail stores, amusements, and a ferry service to Manhattan, officials have said.


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