Seaside would get Carousel in a Proposed Land Swap with Casino Pier

A proposed oceanfront land swap between Seaside Heights and the owners of Casino Pier, would include an added bonus for the Borough, the title to the historic carousel, according to Christopher J. Vaz, Borough Administrator. 

Vaz stressed the proposal is not specifically about saving the 1910 carousel which has been in Seaside Heights since 1932, but rather part of a broader plan.

Under the proposal, Seaside Heights would transfer ownership of a portion of property between Sherman and Sheridan Avenues to Casino Pier, in return for vacant land between Sampson and Carteret Avenues, according to Vaz.

"The initial request was to swap the land so that the Casino Pier could expand northward, instead of easterly, out into the ocean. The original question was would the town agree to swap land that would help the Casino Pier expand, and in the big picture, strengthen Casino Pier, which in turn strengthens the Borough of Seaside Heights, especially after Hurricane Sandy and the boardwalk fire on the south end," said Vaz.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is holding a public hearing on the proposed land swap on May 6, at 5 p.m. to coincide with the Borough's Council meeting.

Vaz explained the DEP is overseeing the hearing due to a specific portion of the application process involving the town conveying beachfront property, which is considered recreation and open space inventory, requiring land to be given somewhere else.

"The hearing is intended to get comment on reducing that from four to one let's say, to a one to one, based on the sized of that lot we're acquiring and the added bonus of protecting the carousel from private sale. The DEP has indicated that they would reduce that to one to one since we are saving the carousel in the process," Vaz said.

The DEP will render a final decision and Vaz said Casino Pier also is seeking permits.

"Once all the permits are in hand, than that's the green light that the Borough and the owners of Casino Pier can move forward with the contracting process," he said. Vaz added, while there is no specific date on when all will be said and done, the proposed land deal is on track to allow Casino Pier to have the construction done and the new rides installed and ready to go for the 2016 season.

Seaside Heights is considering using the land it would receive as a home for the carousel combined with some sort of community or banquet facility adjacent to it that the Borough could possibly rent out, according to Vaz.

"That's the present concept at this point. We're not going to expend any money until the DEP permits are in hand," he said.