Pier Village facts for kids
Pier Village is a fun community by the Atlantic Ocean in Long Branch, New Jersey. It looks like an old-fashioned Victorian town but opened in 2005. It's a place where people can live, shop, eat, and enjoy the beach!
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History of Pier Village
Before Pier Village was built, this land was home to the Long Branch Pier and an amusement park called Kid's World.
On June 8, 1987, a big fire started under the boardwalk. It quickly spread and destroyed the pier. Even though firefighters tried their best, most of the pier was lost. Only the water rides across the street remained. But after the fire, business slowed down, and Kid's World closed for good that summer.
The owner wanted to rebuild the pier. However, his insurance did not cover the cost, and the town couldn't help pay. So, the plans were stopped. What was left of Kid's World stayed empty for 17 years.
The last parts of the old pier were taken down in the late 1990s. The rest of Kid's World across the street was also torn down in 2002.
Then, a company called Applied Development Company decided to build something new. Brothers David Barry and Michael Barry led this project. The city of Long Branch chose them to develop the 16-acre area. They started by rebuilding the boardwalk, and soon, Pier Village began to take shape!
What You Can Find at Pier Village
Pier Village has 536 apartments for rent. These homes sit above more than 100,000 square feet of shops and restaurants.
There's a big grassy area called Festival Plaza. This is where many fun events happen. You can enjoy concerts, arts and crafts fairs, outdoor movies, and holiday celebrations here.
The first floor of Pier Village is full of exciting places. You'll find shops, restaurants, cafes, a hair salon, and a gym. The apartments are on the upper floors, and many have amazing ocean views! There's also parking available, both outside and in two covered garages.
Most of the businesses in Pier Village are local, from nearby Monmouth County, New Jersey. But you can also find some well-known places like Stewart's Root Beer and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
Right on the boardwalk, facing the ocean, are three restaurants: Avenue, Sirena, and McLoone's. McLoone's Pier House was built first and opened a year before the other shops. Pier Village also has The Wine Loft, a fancy wine bar.
The developers also opened a special beach club called Le Club. It's a large, modern building with a rooftop pool and sun deck. It offers great ocean views and a private beach area with palm trees and cabanas.
Concerns About Pier Village's Land
Sometimes, when a city wants to build something new, it needs land. A legal process called Eminent Domain allows the government to take private land for public use, like building a road or a school.
However, some people criticized how the land for Pier Village was obtained. They argued that their homes, which were taken, were not "blighted" (meaning run-down or unsafe). They felt their homes were taken for new private homes and businesses, not for public use. This caused a lot of debate.
The New York Times newspaper reported on this issue. Homeowners who didn't want to sell put up "NOT For Sale" signs. They also protested and wrote letters, questioning the city's decisions.
In 2010, the state decided that the downtown area was not "blighted." This meant the city could not use Eminent Domain to take land there for redevelopment.
Awards for Pier Village
Pier Village has received some special awards:
- In 2006, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) named Pier Village "Project of the Year."
- In 2009, it won the New Jersey Governor’s Tourism Award.
Future Plans for Pier Village
New Pier Plans
In 2005, there were plans to build a brand new pier. These plans included:
- A place for ferries to dock.
- An area just for fishing.
- A 30,000 square foot space for exhibitions, which would also have a restaurant.
- A stage right on the beach.
- An outdoor amphitheater for performances.
- A special offshore area for learning about ocean and marine science.
Hotel Addition
Part of the second phase of expansion was a hotel called Bungalow. It's a 25,000 square foot hotel with 24 rooms and ocean views. It opened in May 2009. Bungalow has a modern style, different from the Victorian look of the first buildings.
Pier Village Phase III
The developers are also planning a third and final phase for Pier Village. This phase might include:
- A 100-room hotel.
- 200 new rental apartments.
- 75 condominium homes.
- 20,000 square feet of new shops.
- A new public park right by the ocean.
The Developers
Pier Village was developed by David Barry and Michael Barry. They are also involved in other projects through their company, Ironstate Development.
