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January, 11 2007
ASBURY PARTNER'S WORKS TO ENSURE ASBURY HISTORY REMEMBERED
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Oceanfront redeveloper saves Casino chandelier
and donates it to Asbury Park Historical Society
Asbury Park, N.J. – Before putting cranes in place to tear
down the eastern portion of the decaying Casino building, Asbury Partners salvaged
its historic elements, including a period chandelier that the company passed
on to the Asbury Park Historical Society Thursday.
“We cannot move forward without respecting the past,” said Larry
Fishman, Asbury Partners chief operating officer. “Asbury Park has a rich
history that its residents are proud of and this is the heart of what makes rebuilding
the oceanfront so exciting. This history must be incorporated in the city’s
revitalization to retain the great character of Asbury Park.”
On Thursday, Fishman met with Asbury Park Historical Society members on the Boardwalk – with
the remaining portion of the Casino building as a backdrop – to pass on
the iron and copper chandelier for the group to preserve.
“Asbury Partners has been careful to extract the historic elements of the
Casino building and make sure that our city’s great history will not be
forgotten,” said Johna Karpinski, president of the Asbury Park Historical
Society. “We take great pride in being able to incorporate such pieces
into the Historical Society’s own collection. We hope to ultimately be
able to display these items in a future museum, which we are in the process of
fundraising.”
Prior to the removal of the historic elements, the inside of the Arena portion
of the Casino building required abatement and removal of asbestos-containing
debris and rubble. After all of the parts to be saved are taken away, the decayed
portion of the building over the beach – a longtime eyesore and reminder
of the decline of a once vibrant city and oceanfront – will be completely
demolished.
“It is gratifying to see things moving forward,” said Asbury Park
Councilman, John Loffredo. In addition to the chandelier, Asbury Partners salvaged
several deteriorated architectural elements in the Casino building, including:
• Pieces of decorative limestone keystones;
• Decorative limestone sculptures;
• Limestone coping for roofing and future arena construction;
• Decorative limestone door;
• “Casino Skating Palace” sign on the east wall of the building’s
interior;
• Decorative limestone cornices, and
• Decorative copper bay windows.
The entertainment and retail components of the oceanfront redevelopment will
eventually take the place of the Casino building.
Some of the salvaged items and their likeness will be kept for replication and
possible reuse in the new oceanfront buildings.
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