In Ortley Beach, Toms River Begins the Final Demolition of the Surf Club
In Ortley Beach, Toms River Begins the Final Demolition of the Surf Club
Following Superstorm Sandy in 2012, the club's remaining structures will be demolished to make space for increased boardwalk and beach access
Destroyed by Superstorm Sandy
When Superstorm Sandy hit on Oct. 29, 2012, Joey Harrison's Surf Club was one of the first buildings to be hit by the storm's fury.
The renowned club, which has provided summer memories to thousands of Jersey Shore residents and visitors for more than four decades, was in ruins the next day.Parts of the debris have been removed throughout the last nine years as reconstruction activities have started and stopped. However, some of the structure has remained.
That is no longer the case. On Tuesday, Toms River began the final destruction of the surf club, marking the beginning of the township's plan to turn the area into more beachfront.Township Mayor Maurice Hill, Council President Kevin Geoghegan, Council Vice President Maria Maruca, and Councilman Matt Lotano were on hand to witness the start of demolition operations by Two Brothers Contracting of Totowa.
At a special council meeting on Nov. 16, the council approved a contract award for $212,800. The property is projected to be purchased for $7.3 million by the end of December, thanks to a three-way arrangement between Toms River, Ocean County, and the state Department of Environmental Protection. The DEP is contributing nearly $6.6 million, while Toms River is contributing $1.1 million, which will be partially offset by Ocean County's $1.88 million pending purchase of township-owned land near Cattus Island Park and Ocean County College. In January, a 6-1 decision authorized the sale of the land to the county, which was anticipated to be completed this September. The council approved a payment of $685,000 from the Open Space Trust Fund to cover a portion of the cost of the surf club purchase in August.The township and the DEP are negotiating a formal management and use agreement that will spell out the terms and conditions of Toms River's use of the site, such as the addition of restrooms, the extension of the boardwalk, and the addition of landscaping and benches.
