For Immediate
Release:
December 22, 2022
Planning
Board presents 2022 Merit Awards
Community projects
honored
FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Board of County
Commissioners, in partnership with the Monmouth County Planning Board, presented
two organizations with 2022 Merit Awards during a Planning Board meeting held
on Dec. 19.
“On behalf of the Monmouth County Board of County
Commissioners, I want to commend our award recipients and the Planning Board
for taking this opportunity to recognize the great work being done to support
our communities,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “I look forward
to seeing these organizations and programs grow and enhance our remarkable
County.”
“Once again, the Monmouth County Planning Board has
done an extraordinary job at recognizing plans, projects and organizations that
truly add community value to our great County,” said Commissioner Ross F.
Licitra. “Thank you to all the organizations that continue to make Monmouth
County a wonderful place to live and visit.”
The 2022 Merit Awards were presented to:
Friends of Jackson Woods, Long Branch
Category: Creativity & Innovation; Environmental,
Resiliency & Sustainability
Jackson Woods Park, a 13-acre natural green space in Long
Branch that was neglected and damaged by Superstorm Sandy, has been transformed
into an area of passive recreation, environmental education, promotion of the
arts, preservation of Long Branch’s rich history, while protecting the unique
ecosystem of the area and the habitat it provides for local wildlife. This has
been done with the support of the City of Long Branch, Monmouth Conservation Foundation,
local volunteer organizations, and the Friends of Jackson Woods- led by
volunteers Kathy Buchan and Nan Simon.
Parkview AP, Asbury Park
Category: Public Service in Planning (Community & Culture
Category); Housing (Development & Redevelopment Category)
Currently only 25% of Asbury Park residents own their
homes. One of the best ways to transform a distressed community is to increase
opportunities for current residents to become homeowners and Parkview AP
provides this opportunity.
The property was vacant for nearly 52 years. The project
was one of the recommendations of the Springwood Avenue Redevelopment Plan and
West Side Choice Neighborhood Transformation Plan. Each Parkview AP lot features a 3 bedroom, 2
½ bath single family home fronting Springwood Avenue, and a 1-bedroom rental
unit above the adjacent garage. This provides the option for homeowners to rent
out the rear unit to help pay their mortgage. The development consists of 3 deed
restricted affordable units, and 7 market rate units. The development broke ground in 2020 and is
anticipated for completion in 2023. Interfaith Neighbors marketed to the local
community, so they had the first opportunity to purchase one of the homes prior
to them being listed on the MLS. To date, 6 of the 10 units have been closed on
and are occupied, and the other 4 have buyers for the anticipated completion
next year.
The Planning
Board established the Merit Awards Program in 1984 to recognize those plans,
projects, programs, individuals, municipalities, businesses, community leaders
and stakeholder organizations that have made a significant contribution to the
advancement of planning and planning outcomes in Monmouth County.
For more
information, go to www.visitmonmouth.com or call the Monmouth County
Division of Planning at 732-431-7460.
Freehold,
NJ --The Monmouth
County Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with the Monmouth County Planning
Board, presented Friends of Jackson Woods with a 2022 Merit Award for their
work in creating a 13-acre natural green space with recreation, environmental education,
promotion of the arts and historical preservation. (Pictured left to right: Commissioner
Director Thomas A. Arnone, Nan Simon, Volunteer, Friends of Jackson Woods Kathleen
Buchan, Volunteer, Friends of Jackson Woods, Marcy McMullen, Monmouth County
Planning Board, Commissioner Ross F. Licitra).
Freehold, NJ -- The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, in
partnership with the Monmouth County Planning Board, presented Parkview AP with
a 2022 Merit Award for their work on the Parkview AP land plot with the goal of
increasing homeownership in Asbury Park. (Pictured left to right: Commissioner
Director Thomas A. Arnone. Paul McEvily, Executive Director, Interfaith
Neighbors April Horvath, Shore Point Architects Andrea Fitzpatrick, Shore Point
Architects Patrick Durkin, Interfaith Neighbors, Judy Martinelly, Monmouth
County Planning Board and Commissioner Ross F. Licitra.)
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