In its day, Keansburg was a hidden gem of Monmouth County’s Bayshore area. After over two years of planning, Sackman Enterprises hopes to finally breathe new life into the town. On Thursday, the groundbreaking of Baypoint, a new waterfront redevelopment project, was celebrated.
Located at Carr and Bay avenues, the plan includes 700 luxury residential units, more than 45,000 square feet of restaurant, entertainment and retail space, and over 1,000 parking spaces. Construction is slated to begin this fall.
The first phase of the project will be 19 Carr, which has 50 residential units and 4,000 square feet of commercial space. Sackman plans to focus on developing improved streetscapes along Carr and Beachway avenues and connecting to a system of secondary interlinked open spaces, pedestrian pathways, trails and recreation areas.
Carter Sackman, president of Sackman Enterprises, said on the day: “Twenty years ago, we jumped into the Asbury market, and it wasn’t too different than some of the challenges we face here on Carr Avenue. There was vacant space that needed to be revitalized and put back into service. What we did there was centered around food and beverage, the arts, creating workforce housing and fair market housing and supporting local retail commercial activities.”
In a span of just 10 years in Asbury Park, Sackman and affiliated entities helped create 400 residential units, as well as 100,000 square feet of retail commercial space and limited office space.
“Public and private partnerships can work together,” Sackman asserted.
Sackman is working hard to have a walk-to ferry service that is serviced predominantly by local residents and visitors.
“We have been able to secure a $15 million bond to help costs associated with the streetscape and boardwalk. We also want to take utility lines underground to create a contemporary seaside town,” Sackman said.
Keansburg Mayor George Hoff was on hand to represent the borough of Keansburg.
“We are starting a new chapter in our history book, one which will see a bigger and brighter Keansburg,” Hoff said. “For well over 20 years, this section of Keansburg has sat dormant. It was once bustling with arcades and establishments and has since fell into despair and became an eyesore.”
Having seen what Sackman Enterprises has done on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park, Hoff said he has great confidence that Sackman will exceed his expectations.
