News Release: June 11, 2002When officials at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) set out to build the first sizable office building in Asbury Park since World War II, it was the public they had in mind. They located the 45,000-square-foot landmark in the heart of the business district and designed it to help bring in more pedestrians, as well as much needed jobs and capital investment.
This civic-mindedness together with a well-designed brick and masonry structure has earned the Asbury Park State Office Building a 2002 New Good Neighbor Award from the New Jersey Business & Industry Association.
"The Asbury Park State Office Building is a much needed and long overdue boost to the city's economy," EDA Executive Director Caren S. Franzini said. "It is a notable beginning in what promises to be a turnaround in the city's economic fortunes. This project also affirms the Authority's commitment to worthwhile and effective urban redevelopment."
"This project represents the very best in publicly-funded construction," NJBIA President Joe Gonzalez said. "Not only will this building provide Asbury Park residents with greater access to state services, but it was designed and built to help the local economy of a struggling urban center."
The building's location at 630 Bangs Avenue accomplishes two goals. It serves as an anchor to the Cookman Avenue business district, where large public areas, a refurbished garage and plenty of walkways will provide greater access to local merchants. It also helps preserve parcels that hold historic or cultural value by locating the building on dilapidated properties instead of replacing historically significant structures.
Designed by Nadaskay Kopelson Architects of Morristown and built by Sordoni Skanska Inc., of Parsippany, the three-story brick and masonry office building blends in nicely with the neighborhood streetscape. The project also adds new public space and public artwork and includes restoration of a defunct, 300-car municipal parking garage-a nice asset for surrounding businesses.
The $12 million project, financed by the EDA, also brings much needed capital investment to the area as well as 200 full-time jobs, once the office is fully staffed.
EDA's Asbury Park Office Building was honored June 11 at NJBIA's 42nd Annual New Good Neighbor Awards Luncheon at the Sheraton at Woodbridge Place in Iselin.
The New Good Neighbor Awards program, now celebrating its 42nd year, recognizes newly built or renovated facilities that have created jobs and contributed to the quality of life in their communities. This year's 13 winners were selected from 45 projects that represent more than $1 billion in combined construction value and will house 13,600 permanent full-time workers.
A panel of independent judges painstakingly reviewed the projects and selected the winners based on architectural merit, jobs created and community involvement. Project nominations were made by a variety of people, including mayors, a state senator, local economic development officials and a chamber of commerce president.
