Pier Village Gets Set to Expand in January

The site plan for has been unanimously approved by the Long Branch Planning Board, and it is now the City Council's responsibility to satisfy three conditions before the project can begin, likely in January.

Councilwoman Kathleen Billings, who is the council representative on the planning board, explained during Tuesday's council meeting that it is the council's responsibility to oversee the completion of the three conditions.

Billings said the council must approve a final design for the carousel that will be located in a public space that would also contain a small play area for children. The original designs showed that the carousel would be white and would have marine animals such as sea horses instead of horses.

The second condition is the council's approval of a parking plan for Pier Village Phase 3. The site will contain a large, underground parking garage and will have street parking as well, similar to the first and second phases of Pier Village.

The third condition is "site details for residential and commercial areas," Councilwoman Joy Bastelli said. She said the council must approve several things including a maintenance plan and landscaping for the area.

City Business Administrator Howard Woolley said he hoped that many of these conditions could be satisfied soon and that the city is currently working on the parking management plan.

Construction of the newest addition to Pier Village is expected to begin in January, and will consist of two phases that would be built over the next three years.