New development on the Jersey Shore has created tensions between residents and weekenders A small plot of land on the boardwalk in Asbury Park, New Jersey, is laying bare a long-standing disagreement about what sort of character the city should have and the types of people who should live there.
In mid-May, I met Madeline Monaco?who lives in the complex across the street?and Felicia Simmons, two town activists, in front of the plot for a tour. Down the street from us, construction was well underway (and traffic had been inconveniently rerouted) for the Asbury Ocean Club, a luxury hotel and condominium overseen by iStar, the city?s master developer. The Ocean Club, which has a penthouse selling for $6 million, will open this summer. The people who stay or live at the 17-story Ocean Club will, essentially, never have to leave. According to iStar?s press release, there will be a fitness center, a yoga room, a meditation terrace, a spa with an on-call masseuse, a reflecting pool, a 17-seat movie theater, a concierge to buy groceries, a place to wash dogs, a game room, and a ?Beach Bellperson? who will bring towels and water and ?take care of any whim.? One city official told me about a rumor that this all-inclusive setup is to entice buyers worried about the city?s crime, which, though still present, is on the decline. Brian Cheripka, a vice president at iStar, denied that claim and told me the company?s goal is to ?keep the promises that were made a long time ago? and...