Borough should rebuild Peninsula House
Here we go again, lack of insight and ability to lead is taking Sea Bright down that primrose path of failure and neglect one more time. The borough pursuing the purchase of Donovan's, as opposed to finding the remaining owners state funding for the purchase of development rights, is fiscally irresponsible. There are plenty of private purchasers to acquire this land and if we can give them a cash incentive by obtaining monies through the state open land funds it will make the project that more attractive to them.

For five-plus years now I have been badgering the governing body to look into rebuilding the historical Peninsula House buildings as a pool club, senior housing and borough office complex. This, with the potential to add $2 million revenue to the borough coffers, and the return of two historical landmarks to the borough without the draconian taxes brought on by that old ratable game of private developers.

My suggestions have been met with everything from, "Yeah it's a good idea," at best, to "CAFRA and DEP will not allow us to do this." To this I say bunk. The smart growth plans that we paid $50,000 to have prepared, though attractive, had no provisions for revenue to cover their cost and the cost of development, let alone benefit the borough with much needed revenue.

CAFRA/DEP would rail at the parking encroachment that is apparent. How well thought out and reviewed are these plans, when, presented to the public they plainly show the need for the purchase, or dreaded eminent domain, of homes to fulfill the final phase? Fear not though, given the borough's track record on getting things done, we will

probably see the grand opening of this Luna Park design in 2092, to celebrate the borough's 100th anniversary of owning the land.

My solution is fairly straight forward and expeditious

Donovan's - One faction of the owners wishes to maintain ownership of the property for the continuation of the business, but they cannot afford to buy out the other two partners. The council should work, inconcert with them and our state officials, to keep this property permanently on the tax rolls, and off the developmental table.

By facilitating the purchase of the rights to develop, through one of the state's ingenious programs. The remaining partners then can afford to buy out the others by financing the balance and we will never hear the word condo associated with that beachfront again.

Peninsula House - We should rebuild both buildings to historic scale and reward the town with both revenue and beauty, tie this into the boardwalk planned and we will have a real winner. We can accommodate these buildings with the decking of our lots to double or even triple the amount of public beach parking that we have. The buildings could contain a year round pool club, all the borough offices, except for emergency services, and senior housing units. The old borough hall could be reclaimed for parking and public works, thus getting our equipment out of the flood zone.

Building - Having the parking prefabricated off sight and the buildings modularly built could save us time and money. Remember Long Branch Pier Village was up and running in a very short span, and that was stick built. Modular buildings are efficient strong and affordable and can be designed to our specifications.

Concentrating on what we have as opposed to what we think we need is a winning formula. Purchasing Donovan's to make up for past missed opportunities is tantamount to fighting the Peninsula House fire with a garden house, to little too late. I submit that if the governing body is in a quandary over what to do, put it to the voters in referendum this November.

C. Read Murphy

Sea Bright