Seaside Heights expected work to start by now on a 10-story tower. So where is it?

Jean Mikle, Asbury Park Press
·4 min read

SEASIDE HEIGHTS - No progress has been made on the 10-story Boulevard building that borough officials hoped would jumpstart development in the area, and now Seaside Heights wants answers.

"We are very, very concerned with the progress of the 10-story building," Mayor Anthony Vaz said. "We have initiated, through our legal channels some notice. We need answers immediately. 'Where you are in terms of construction, financing, etc.?' "

SSH Boulevard LLC received planning board approval in August to build a 10-story mixed-use structure on the site of a former steel skeleton that was torn down in August 2021.

Dan Matarese, owner of Danco Construction and principal owner of SSH Boulevard, said that the project is still seeking final approval from the Ocean County Planning Board.

Nearly three years since a rusting steel skeleton on the Boulevard was demolished, construction has yet to start on a planned 10-story building there that borough officials believe is key to the area's redevelopment. The property is located between Hamilton and Webster avenues is shown Friday, April 7, 2023.
Nearly three years since a rusting steel skeleton on the Boulevard was demolished, construction has yet to start on a planned 10-story building there that borough officials believe is key to the area's redevelopment. The property is located between Hamilton and Webster avenues is shown Friday, April 7, 2023.

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"I know everyone is antsy," Matarese said, but he said architects and engineers have been diligently working on the project, but that delays in getting all the necessary approvals have in part happened because of the project's sheer size. "… I  believe I can say that this is the biggest building in Ocean County. There is nothing that is 10 stories."

The 120-foot-high building is slated to include 77 residential units, ranging in size from about 1,500 to 1,900 square feet, according to architect Avelino Martinez's testimony before the planning board. Seven of the units are supposed to have three bedrooms, while the rest would have two bedrooms, he said.

A rendering of SSH Boulevard LLC's proposal for a 10-story, mixed-use residential and commercial building planned for 404 Boulevard, between Hamilton and Webster avenues in Seaside Heights.
A rendering of SSH Boulevard LLC's proposal for a 10-story, mixed-use residential and commercial building planned for 404 Boulevard, between Hamilton and Webster avenues in Seaside Heights.

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There will be a three-story, 153-space parking deck, and also retail space: 6,500 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor, and an 8,500-square-foot restaurant, with an outdoor balcony for dining on the fourth floor, he said. A rooftop pool and community room are also planned.

Vaz and other Seaside Heights leaders have said they hoped construction on the Boulevard property, located between Hamilton and Webster avenues, would kickstart other projects in the area. But Vaz said Monday that other properties are already being redeveloped, while ground has not yet been broken for the 10-story structure, frustrating officials here.

"We need answers, and we need them quickly," the mayor said.

"It took us a very long time to get CAFRA," Matarese said, referring to the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act permit required by the state for large developments in New Jersey's coastal zones. "I’m moving as fast as I can."

Matarese added, "It will be a spectacular building when it’s finished."

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Seaside Heights Mayor Tony Vaz smashes a bottle of champagne on the steel structure on the Boulevard in Seaside Heights, between Hamilton and Webster Avenues, Monday morning, August 16, 2021. The site has been an eyesore for more than a decade. It's slated to be replaced by 79 residential units, a restaurant and retail stores on the bottom floors.
Seaside Heights Mayor Tony Vaz smashes a bottle of champagne on the steel structure on the Boulevard in Seaside Heights, between Hamilton and Webster Avenues, Monday morning, August 16, 2021. The site has been an eyesore for more than a decade. It's slated to be replaced by 79 residential units, a restaurant and retail stores on the bottom floors.

In May 2021, the borough designated SSH Boulevard LLC as redeveloper of the Boulevard site, where a four-story rusted steel skeleton had stood for more than a decade. Council members expressed enthusiasm for the project, which officials hope will kickstart redevelopment on the Boulevard.

The rusted steel skeleton that had towered over the Boulevard for more than a decade was finally demolished in August 2021. Borough officials applauded the demolition, which they said heralded a new era in Seaside's ongoing redevelopment.

The council chose SSH Boulevard LLC's proposal over a plan submitted by a group headed by the steel skeleton property's owner, Vincent J. Craporotta Jr. Craporatta's proposal included 65 condominium units and a pool deck, along with commercial space on the first floor of an 88-foot-high building.

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Nearly three years since a rusting steel skeleton on the Boulevard was demolished, construction has yet to start on a planned 10-story building there that borough officials believe is key to the area's redevelopment. The property, located between Hamilton and Webster avenues, is shown Friday, April 7, 2023.
Nearly three years since a rusting steel skeleton on the Boulevard was demolished, construction has yet to start on a planned 10-story building there that borough officials believe is key to the area's redevelopment. The property, located between Hamilton and Webster avenues, is shown Friday, April 7, 2023.

SSH Boulevard produced a $35 million line of credit in 2021 to finance the project, which Matarese estimated would cost $30 million to complete. But construction costs and interest rates have soared in the last two years.

The developer had initially proposed an eight-story building, but the borough gave permission for the larger structure for economic reasons, officials said.

"If they can't do it, they can sell their project to someone, or they can negotiate with us," Vaz said.

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Matarese said he continues moving forward with the project.

"I want to do it right," he said. "I want to give the mayor and council what I promised to give them."

Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and writes about issues related to Superstorm Sandy. She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle,  jmikle@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Where is the Seaside Heights 10-story tower? Mayor wants answers