New bldg., solar panels garner planning awards
Four Monmouth County projects ranging from new construction to adaptive reuse, were recognized at the 54th Monmouth County Planning Board Awards Dinner.

(l-r) Monmouth University President Paul G. Gaffney II, Freeholder Deputy Director Lillian G. Burry and Patricia Swannack, Monmouth vice president.

Four projects received Merit Awards as examples of exemplary planning.

Monmouth University, West Long Branch, received a Merit Award for its Solar Panel Installation Project. Through this project, the university installed solar panels on the roofs of four campus buildings. The solar panels cover 33,000 square feet of rooftop space and will generate an estimated 468,569 kilowatt hours of electricity each year.

According to the county, benefits associated with the project include energy cost savings as well as reduced emissions of pollutants. The carbon emission reductions over the next 30 years are equivalent to the planting of 1,500 acres of trees. Freeholder Deputy Director Lillian G. Burry presented the award to Monmouth University President Paul G. Gaffney II and Patricia Swannack, the university's vice president for administrative services.

The Noglows Building in Red Bank received a Merit Award commending the consistency of the building's design and appearance with the existing character of the business district. The three-story, 10,000-square-foot office/retail building was erected on an empty lot between two existing buildings on Monmouth Street. The Merit Award cited: the building design changes from the ground floor to the upper two floors to express different uses; streetlevel windows that contribute to the pedestrian friendly streetscape; traditional architectural elements that are part of Red Bank's "American Main Street" charm; the use of traditional materials that are consistent with its neighbors.

The county called the Noglows Building "an outstanding example of infill development that is designed to enrich and enhance a thriving downtown business district."

Freeholder Robert D. Clifton presented the award to Edward "Ned" Gaunt, principal in Kaplan Gaunt DeSantis Architects, Red Bank, and Paul Noglows, owner of the building.

Two other projects, both in Middletown, received awards.

Middletown Township received a Merit Award for establishing a task force to revitalize the Campbell's Junction business district. According to the county, the Campbell's Junction area of Middletown is an older commercial and transit center that had begun to experience physical and economic decline. Middletown formed a task force to develop a plan to halt and reverse the deterioration of the area and to establish a vision for its future.

The task force worked with Brookdale Community College's architecture program to develop a concept plan for the area that addresses such issues as architectural improvements, signage, pedestrian access, parking and public space. Initiatives to revitalize the area have included façade and streetscape improvements, the addition of second-floor residential units to commercial buildings to enhance the mixed-use character and density of the area, and the redevelopment of abandoned property.

Freeholder Barbara J. McMorrow presented the award to Middletown Township Deputy Mayor Pamela Brightbill and Middletown Planner Anthony Mercantante.

Middletown Township also received a Merit Award for the Stout-Tucker House Restoration Project for the work done in support of the restoration and adaptive reuse of this historic structure, which has been a fixture along Kings Highway East for some 200 years. Plans called for the house and nearby property to be redeveloped as 17 townhouses and for the historic house to be restored and sold as the 18th unit in the development.

According to the county, after the project was stalled due to the developer's bankruptcy, the township acted to keep the character of the home intact, forming a public/private partnership with a private builder to convert the interior to small apartments.

"The Stout-Tucker House Restoration and Adaptive Re-Use project demonstrates how a public/private partnership worked to restore a historically important home in a manner that contributed three apartments to local housing choices," the county stated.

Freeholder Anna C. Little presented the award to Brightbill, Edward O'Neill of S.O.M.E. Architects, Red Bank, and Mercantante.