See the 10-story residential building that will soon dominate Seaside Heights skyline

SEASIDE HEIGHTS - A 10-story mixed-use building that is expected to boost redevelopment on the Boulevard was approved unanimously Monday night by the Seaside Heights Planning Board, marking a major step forward for the proposal.

SSH Boulevard LLC has proposed to build the structure on the site where an unfinished steel skeleton towered above the roadway for years. That building was demolished in August 2021, a development that was cheered by borough officials.

The 10-story, 120-foot-high building will include 77 residential units, ranging in size from about 1,500 to 1,900 square feet, according to architect Avelino Martinez. Seven of the units will have three bedrooms and the rest of will have two bedrooms, Martinez said.

There will be a three-story, 153-space parking deck, and also retail space: 6,500 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor, and an 8,500-square-foot restaurant, with an outdoor balcony for dining on the fourth floor, he said.

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The building will have a rooftop deck with a pool and community room.

Mayor Anthony Vaz has said he hopes construction of SSH Boulevard's tower will kickstart redevelopment on the Boulevard.

"Once the steel structure starts, I think a lot of other things will fall into place," he said.

The building initially was slated to be eight stories high, but the greater height was necessary to accommodate parking for the project in an onsite garage, according to George R. Gilmore, a consultant for SSH Boulevard. He said state rules for large developments in coastal zones require parking to be provided onsite.

The site formerly housed nightclubs including Yakety Yak and Club XS.

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In May 2021, the borough designated SSH Boulevard LLC as redeveloper of the Boulevard site, where a four-story rusted steel skeleton had stood for more than a decade. Council members expressed enthusiasm for the project, which officials hope will kickstart redevelopment on the Boulevard.

The rusted steel skeleton that had towered over the Boulevard for more than a decade was finally demolished in August 2021.

Dan Matarese, owner of Danco Construction and principal owner of SSH Boulevard, said the next steps for the project will include doing some site work after the planning board's approval resolution is received. The developer received a state Coastal Area Facilities Review At (CAFRA) permit for the project in May. The state requires such permits for large developments in coastal zones.

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The building will be supported by pilings that will be driven more than 100 feet into the ground. There are pilings remaining on the site from the previous development, and lawyer Nino Coviello, who represented SSH Boulevard before the planning board, said the developer will inspect what is on site to see if anything is usable.

Some residents of a condominium building located adjacent to the proposed tower, at 42 Hamilton Ave., said they are concerned about the height of the 10-story structure.

"How is a 10-story structure approved for this site?" asked Clara Bozenko, who lives next door. "This is really going to dwarf us." She expressed worries that someone on the rooftop deck could toss debris off, hitting her building's parking lot.

Other residents noted that a fence that had been damaged when the steel skeleton was demolished, had never been repaired. The planning board made repairing the fence one of the conditions of approving the application, and Matarese said after the meeting he would make sure it was repaired right away.

Robert Engel, who lives in neighboring Ortley Beach, said he has known Matarese for decades, and believes the borough will be happy with what he builds on the site.

"I can't say enough good things about him," Engel said. "You are dealing with a gentleman and I think you are going to be happy."

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Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and has been writing about local government and politics at the Jersey Shore for nearly 39 years. A finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize in public service, she's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore real estate: Seaside Heights board OKs Boulevard project