Future of abandoned Neptune motel uncertain two years after storm

NEPTUNE - Ellen M. Kudlacik has had enough.

"Every morning, as I eat my breakfast, I look out the window and what do I see? I see the remnants of a once-busy motel. I wonder what Mayor (Keith) Cafferty sees each morning," said Kudlacik, who lives on Waterview Court.

The motel in question is the former Neptune Motor Lodge. Once a stop for shore visitors, the Route 35 motel sits empty following a 2021 storm that tore off sections of its roof.

Kudlacik said she can see the temporary fencing that now lines the motel property through her sliding glass door when she watches TV in her living room.

"When I go up to my office, I am thrilled to see a large overflowing dumpster that hasn’t been moved for months. What a beautiful image of Neptune Township," she said. "For the past two summers, when my family and friends visit on my deck, I am embarrassed by the sight across the way."

She is one of many residents in the Shark River Island section of the township asking township officials to do something about the storm-damaged motel.

In March 2021, a powerful storm tore off parts of the roof, damage caused by straight line winds between 60 and 70 mph, according to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly.

Soaked insulation, wood, tar paper and other pieces of the motel were stripped from the building and spread across the highway and surrounding properties as a result of the storm. That debris was cleaned up, but nearly two years later residents still are looking at the abandoned building.

Resident Steve Roberts has been in touch with Neptune since last year when over two dozen residents met on the street outside the abandoned property with representatives from State Sen. Vin Gopal's office and reporters to highlight the problem.

"According to the township, the owners have been maintaining the premises and on occasion have been issued a few summonses. That is all they have told us, but as you can see, that is far from the truth. There has been no significant progress since the building was damaged," Roberts said.

He said the motel looks "like a ravaged war zone."

"We have pleaded with township officials that the condition is now a safety hazard, with the building falling apart and the threat of another storm could further cause harm and injury to the neighborhood," Roberts said.

He added that if the mayor or committee person lived in the neighborhood, this would never have been allowed.

"Route 35 is only a few feet away, as are homes and businesses. That in itself should make it a priority to get rid of this building for safety concerns alone," Roberts said.

Business Administrator Gina M. LaPlaca said the motel is in a redevelopment zone, and the owner has the option of repairing and reopening the property as a motel or demolishing it.

She added that the Township's Police Department, as well as the Code and Construction Department, regularly monitors the conditions on-site to ensure that the property is secure and not a public safety hazard.

"When necessary, violations are issued and pursued in court. Until such time as the Township is approached by property owners in the redevelopment area to indicate that they are seeking to move the redevelopment process forward, this is all the action we are able to take," LaPlaca said.

The property is on the Township’s abandoned property list, which requires yearly registration and compliance with township regulations. If conditions worsen significantly, it could be declared an “unsafe structure.”

"But my understanding is that would be well beyond where we are now in terms of the current condition of the building," LaPlaca said.

Gopal, meanwhile, said he has been in contact with both the township and residents.

"My staff and I have continued to work with concerned Neptune residents and been in regular communication with the township. Both sides have been patient and receptive and I'm confident the township will swiftly address its residents' concerns," Gopal said.

Charles Daye is the metro reporter for Asbury Park and Neptune, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. @CharlesDayeAPP Contact him: CDaye@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Neptune NJ: Community wants motor lodge on Route 35 repaired