New hope on horizon
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 04/29/06
Fireworks were planned for Asbury Park this morning. Though surely
not as pretty as those on the Fourth of July, they promised to be
even more deserving of cheers. The hulking symbol of the city's
despair, the steel seaside structure called C-8, was to be imploded
by 90 pounds of explosives at 7 a.m.
Anyone with a soft spot for Asbury Park should help make it a party,
whether cheering on the demolition or checking out the new life in
the city. Fill the sidewalks. Add to the rising optimism by
patronizing the new businesses and the ones that have struggled
through the tough years.
Since 1989, the C-8 metal monster has been a constant reminder of the
city's failed redevelopment efforts. With new condominiums and town
houses going up around it, and businesses taking hold in the once-
empty streets downtown, the final glimpse of C-8 should kick off a
celebration that reverberates throughout the city.
"It's over, it's finally over," said Councilman Jim Bruno on
Wednesday, echoing the sentiments of many longtime residents. Born
and raised in Asbury, Bruno spoke of how excited he was when C-8
started going up, only to be halted early on. It sat and rusted for
more than a decade while court and bankruptcy hearings dragged on.
In its place will be The Esperanza, a 224-unit condominium complex.
That's fitting. "Esperanza" means "hope." That's what city residents
are finally getting after decades of blight: Hope that Asbury Park
can once again become the "Jewel of the Jersey Shore" its nickname
during its glory days.
Today's show was expected to draw quite a crowd. City residents and
anyone else with a fondness for Asbury Park should make it a point
to join in the celebration. Make a day of it. If you got up too late
to see the building leveled, stop by later. If all goes as planned,
you should be able to check out the ocean view, no longer marred by a
steel scar. Then go shopping, get a bite to eat, and see the new
homes going up along the lake and the reconstruction downtown.
Bring your own dose of esperanza and help spread it around the city.
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