The Long Branch Planning Board approved plans to redevelop a warehouse on Second Avenue as a multiuse venue containing a beer hall and event space. The project is seen as a major step in revitalizing lower Broadway. KENNY WALTER/STAFF LONG BRANCH — Plans for a beer garden were approved last week, and the developer is hoping the project will spark a resurgence on lower Broadway.
Shortly before the Long Branch Planning Board approved site plans for the beer garden, restaurant and event space proposed for 15-17 Second Ave., Preston Casertano, developer of the Whitechapel Project, said the project will benefit the entire area.
“I think the Whitechapel Project is going to give people a reason to cross Ocean Boulevard,” he said at the Aug. 19 board meeting. “I think it will bring life back to Broadway.”
Located in the Broadway Gateway redevelopment zone, the site of the project is a 14,500-square-foot warehouse owned by Casertano.
The centerpiece of the proposal — a beer hall and microbrewery — capitalizes on the growing craft-beer trend.
David Cunningham, project architect, agreed that approval of the project would touch off a chain reaction for the surrounding lower Broadway neighborhood, which is littered with boarded buildings and stalled development.
“We believe this type of project should be encouraged,” he said. “We think that our proposal will make a dramatic difference in the neighborhood, and we hope that it inspires other property owners to invest in the area and the city.”
According to Casertano, the event-space portion of the project could be used for an art space, pop-up cinema, performance space, pop-up restaurants, gallery space and interactive theater.
He also said that when events are not scheduled, the space would be available for private events.
The Long Branch project was inspired by Casertano’s travels to London — specifically, the city’s Whitechapel neighborhood.
“I was so excited about how people were using old buildings and turning existing buildings into entertainment space that I was dying to do that back here on the Jersey Shore,” he said.
The project also includes a rooftop garden where produce and ingredients for the craft beers will be grown.
Casertano said he expects the microbrewery to produce three year-round offerings and seasonal beers. In keeping with another trend, sodas will also be made on-site.
“It is all going to be locally sourced, fresh ingredients,” Casertano said. “The cola will be made by us; the ginger ale will be made by us; and when the strawberries are in season, we will have strawberry soda.”
Cunningham said the restaurant will have 134 seats; the event space, 100 seats; the courtyard, 160 seats; and the garden, 100 seats.
Construction is expected to take 18 months, he said.
The application did not seek any variances, which are not permitted in the city’s redevelopment zones. The board approved five design waivers because the current building would have to be demolished to comply with current requirements for buffers and square footage.
Cunningham said that because the top two floors of the three-story building will be dismantled, the square footage of the building will decrease from 14,500 to 8,500 square feet.
While the two top floors will be dismantled, Casertano said the existing elevator shaft will remain and be used as art space.
“We are going to project stuff up into the elevator shaft and have artists do installations hanging down,” he said.
Also included in the approvals is a subdivision of the site, which will convey a portion back to the city that will be used for a parking lot.
Assistant Planning Director Carl Turner said the parking lot would be built in coordination with the third phase of Pier Village.
He said the current plan is for 660 spaces, but it is possible a garage would eventually be constructed on the site of the lot.
While there was minimal public comment during the hearing, one local business owner questioned the parking provided on the site and whether the project would lead to a parking shortage on lower Broadway.
“We should only be so lucky. I hope we have a parking problem on lower Broadway,” Board Chairman Ed Thomas said.