It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Seaside Heights Water Tower gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Seaside Heights, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Lake Avenue Playground and Beach with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Hemingway's Cafe or visit Seaside Heights Historical Society Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Seaside Heights, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Seaside Heights, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Seaside Heights, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
As municipalities across New Jersey struggle with decisions on how to meet state-imposed affordable housing quotas, Seaside Heights officials believe they are in a good position to be able to provide what is determined to be their “fair share” of housing, as determined by the legislature.The legislature recently approved what is commonly referred to as “round four” of the state’s affordable housing law, part of the “...
As municipalities across New Jersey struggle with decisions on how to meet state-imposed affordable housing quotas, Seaside Heights officials believe they are in a good position to be able to provide what is determined to be their “fair share” of housing, as determined by the legislature.
The legislature recently approved what is commonly referred to as “round four” of the state’s affordable housing law, part of the “Mt. Laurel doctrine” that came in place following a 1975 case decided by the state Supreme Court. The judicial decision, and the laws that followed, require towns to utilize open land or the redevelopment of existing space to provide housing units designated for low-income residents. There have been three “rounds” of quotas set in the past, with the fourth mandating new income-based housing be provided between 2025 and 2035.
Borough Attorney Robin La Bue said the state has ordered Seaside Heights to provide 20 units for rehabilitation and 36 new affordable housing units during the ten-year period. The rehabilitation element requires the borough to provide funds for “current existing housing occupied by low and moderate income families that need to be brought up to code.” The 36 units refer to new units that must be built or converted into affordable designations, usually accomplished by developers setting aside units in new construction projects.
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La Bue, responding to a question from a resident at Wednesday’s borough council meeting, said the numbers promulgated by the state are those that will govern the “fair share” for the decade between July 1, 2025 and July 1, 2035. The quotas will not change based on the construction of new housing units, or a lack thereof, since they are already set.
Seaside Heights has been undergoing a building boom in recent years, with hotels, nightclubs and other structures being torn down in favor of modern townhomes and small planned communities.
“The number itself won’t be readjusted,” said La Bue. “What we can do is use some of those units for our plan. We will take into account existing projects that we have [pending] and then plan for the future. There are also certain things you a get a bonus credit for, like special needs housing, where you can get a one-for-one credit.”
Seaside Heights’ quota is far less than some other municipalities, which have been ordered to build thousands of units, prompting concern over stretching public services, increasing school attendance and affecting public safety. A wave of costly lawsuits from towns are expected over the next several years in objections to some of the quotas that have been set. But in Seaside Heights’ case, the number is comparatively low, and seemingly within the town’s reach.
“We have a consultant that was hired last year to help us with this, we’ve had meetings with Robin, and I feel we’re in a pretty good place with those numbers and the credits we think we can get credit for,” said Borough Administrator Christopher Vaz.
The borough council on Wednesday passed a resolution establishing its “need” for affordable housing based on the state’s figures, avoiding a dispute with Trenton.
The Seaside Heights planning board on Monday night approved one of the most ambitious projects in borough history with the potential of reshaping the community in the spirit of many of the grand hotels that once dotted the Jersey Shore.Boston-based developer William Caulder received approval to build the luxury hotel, banquet and event center, restaurant and a number of privately-owned townhomes at the corner of Ocean Terrace and Lincoln Avenue. The approval came without any formal objections from members of the public, and by way of ...
The Seaside Heights planning board on Monday night approved one of the most ambitious projects in borough history with the potential of reshaping the community in the spirit of many of the grand hotels that once dotted the Jersey Shore.
Boston-based developer William Caulder received approval to build the luxury hotel, banquet and event center, restaurant and a number of privately-owned townhomes at the corner of Ocean Terrace and Lincoln Avenue. The approval came without any formal objections from members of the public, and by way of a unanimous vote by the board.
The development will include a 135 room hotel, with space for living and commercial activity spread over nine floors of the ten story building. Stand at 102-feet in height, the complex will be one of the tallest buildings in Ocean County, and a landmark of which has not been seen since redevelopment efforts took place in northern Monmouth County or Atlantic City. The building will include a 270 seat restaurant, 30 seat bar, and a 350 seat event and banquet venue that can be used for purposes ranging from weddings, to corporate conferences, to civic events.
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A slew of amenities were included in the approval, including a rooftop pool deck, spa, and the construction of 55 condominium units. The entire complex will be constructed where the Surfside, Glendale and Dry Dock motels have previously stood. They will be demolished in favor of the new structure.
Lawrence Sassi, the architect who designed the complex, told board members the hotel’s arrival area for guests would be located on the fourth floor, with rooms being located on the fifth floor and above. The ballroom will be situated over Ocean Terrace where guests can catch glimpses of the beach and boardwalk. The hotel rooms will be located along Ocean Terrace and Franklin Avenue, with the fourth floor also serving as a pool deck. A full-service restaurant will operate between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m., tentatively planned to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as evening cocktails and snacks.
The building will be topped with a white facade.
“It’s a feature to add a level of interest to the upper portion of the building, and also to screen equipment from view,” said Sassi.
Project Engineer Brian Murphy said the building is fully compliant with modern flood codes and has already received the majority of state permits required before construction can begin. While large, the hotel will maintain a subdued exterior, he said.
“We will have down-facing lights with shielding in order to accommodate our surrounding neighbors,” said Murphy.
Bollards will be installed along Ocean Terrace to ensure the safety of pedestrians and prevent vehicles from entering the sidewalk area.
The hotel rooms will be located in the eastern portion of the building, closest to the ocean, and the 55 condominium units will be located to the west, said Murphy. The hotel will also feature space for retail at street-level, and the aforementioned restaurant will be mated to a 30-seat hotel bar. The pool deck will be located outdoors above an enclosed parking deck.
An underground garage will have two entrances and go beyond the 218 spaces required under the borough’s zoning ordinance with a total of 303 spaces, including 21 electric vehicle charging stations that will be interspersed throughout the parking area for easy access.
The approval was celebrated by local business leaders, including real estate broker Mike Loundy, who has been instrumental in attracting a number of development projects to town.
“We are very pleased that tonight the Seaside Heights Planning Board approved this magnificent project, following the leadership shown by our mayor and council’s previous approval,” said Loundy. “This amazing new property is filling the void of recently-torn-down rooms with new ocean view hotel rooms and residences. The new large restaurant, event space, spa, and pool will be a very desirable destination that will continue to enhance our fantastic resort community.”
The timing as to when construction will get underway and how long the large complex will take to build is dependent on factors ranging from permitting to weather.
“If we have everything approved, we’re roughly six to eight months from obtaining a building permit,” Caulder said at a workshop meeting before the board earlier this year, estimating an 18 month construction period. “It depends how we stage the project, but the good thing is that we have a small parking lot across the street that will take some of the pressure off.”
Caulder is a well-known developer based in Boston whose company, 6M Development, has been responsible for major undertakings up and down the Boston-to-Washington D.C. corridor. Notably, his company has received approval to build a five-story, 134-room boutique hotel on Boston’s north end, a major housing development on a pier at the Boston Navy Yard site, as well as the mixed-use Seville Boston Harbor complex which incorporates housing and retail uses along the city’s Meridian Street corridor.
A group of Seaside Heights property owners – primarily seasonal residents whose condominium units are located on and around Hiering Avenue – doubled down on their opposition to the reconstruction of a bath house destroyed in Superstorm Sandy, saying the amenity would make the beach on their street too crowded. Residents of one of the nearby condominium developments have also complained that a second-floor deck that would allow seniors and disabled residents to view the ocean would obstruct their view.“Our beach is th...
A group of Seaside Heights property owners – primarily seasonal residents whose condominium units are located on and around Hiering Avenue – doubled down on their opposition to the reconstruction of a bath house destroyed in Superstorm Sandy, saying the amenity would make the beach on their street too crowded. Residents of one of the nearby condominium developments have also complained that a second-floor deck that would allow seniors and disabled residents to view the ocean would obstruct their view.
“Our beach is the smallest beach in Seaside,” said Delores Alexander, who told members of the borough council she was representing fellow unit owners in the Patrician Arms condominium building on Hiering Avenue. “It is crowded now, and that is without – without – the [El Conquistador] which has 62 units, and they’ll start coming back this summer. On Sundays, we can’t get on our beach. We get in the car and go to Toms River. You building this bath house is just going to crowd our beach more.”
The El Conquistador refers to the formal name of the large condominium building that takes up much of the oceanside block of Hiering Avenue. It has been undergoing renovations for nearly two years and has been largely unoccupied on a temporary basis.
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The bath house would be constructed in the footprint of a previous bath house that was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy, located at 1521 Ocean Terrace, on the boardwalk between Sampson and Hiering avenues. The borough has secured a $1.6 million grant to build the bath house, which will include restrooms and hot showers. The building will also sell beach badges and is planned to include the accessible viewing platform that will allow visitors to see the ocean over the dunes.
Residents of several nearby condominium complexes previously complained about the reconstruction effort at a work session meeting of the borough’s planning board, saying it would obstruct views of the ocean from their units and lead to overcrowding of the beaches in the northern section of town. Wednesday’s complaints squarely focused on what the residents feared would be too many members of the public accessing the beach and boardwalk from Hiering Avenue, where a public parking lot currently operates.
Alexander specifically feared visitors would choose to use the beach located near her vacation residence since they would be able to purchase beach badges closer to the parking lot at Hiering.
“At least now … they have to walk down to the carousel building to get tickets,” she said. “Now, you want to put this bath house there. First of all, that end of the boardwalk is so narrow, we used to have a problem getting on the beach when these people were all gathering to get in the bath houses, and they don’t move for you.”
Alexander continued: “My problem now is the parking lot, and we’re going to get every one of those people on our beach. At what point does this council worry about the taxpayers? We pay taxes all year and only use our residences three or four months of the year, and we’re being so inconvenienced.”
Some of the residents have suggested placing the bath house next door to the Carousel Pavilion, which has vacant space to the north, however while a bath house could physically fit in the space, deed restrictions on that property require it be used for development only in the case that it supports the carousel or historic purposes. A public bath house would not satisfy that requirement, said Borough Administrator Christopher Vaz.
Tom Brogan, an attorney representing the condominium development at 1515 Ocean Terrace, praised Alexander’s remarks.
“I don’t think I can follow a better advocate,” he said. “If I said what I was planning to say tonight, I’d be more of an echo.”
Brogan said his clients are “very much prepared to work with the town regarding the bath house.” The concerns of his clients take three forms, he said: the size and shape of the bath house, noise that would generated from people using it, and the fear of an obstructed view of the ocean from the residential units.
“My client is prepared to work to come to an understanding to the borough that may be a mutual benefit of both,” he reiterated.
Charlene Polomski, who said she owns properties in Hiering Avenue, told council members she agreed with the concerns of Alexander, and had more of her own – the cost of maintaining the building, as well as a potential “logjam” on the boardwalk.
“I also have concerns about the entrance to the bath house,” she said. “I’ve been coming to Seaside and living on Hiering since I was 11 years old. With the old bath house, you would go up and they would enter onto the area right above the ramp, and you couldn’t even get past the people. There were kids everywhere, taking turns in the bath house, and it caused a logjam going up.”
Joseph Usinowicz, a Hiering Avenue resident, complained that the beach on the north end of town is already used for certain events, such as an annual Boy Scout camp-out, which restricts some access to the sand, and the sale of beach badges from the bath house could bring more people to the area.
“If they do sell beach badges there, that’s going to add to more people coming on the beach at that location,” he said.
Council members did not engage in a debate with the residents, but reiterated the fact that a bath house had long occupied the site and, after the storm, had always been planned for a rebuild.
“It got wiped out by Sandy, and it’s the same footprint,” said Councilman Vito Ferrone.
Councilman Harry Smith said the bath house is needed in town, reminding those in attendance that Seaside Heights’ beaches are not private or reserved for certain residents.
“I just don’t represent Hiering Avenue, I represent the whole town,” he said. “I know, from being in this town my whole life, we do need more bathrooms and we need a bath house. That bath house has been planned since the day it came down. We tried to get it out to bid in 2013 or 2014, and they wanted so much money, we couldn’t do it.”
An opportunity to rebuild now has come due to the federal grant.
“It’s not a private beach on Hiering Avenue,” Smith said. “It’s for all the people of the state of New Jersey, all the people all over the place – it’s for everybody.”
The bath house project is expected to come before the planning board for a hearing in the coming months.
Chef Mike’s ABG, South Seaside Park, N.J. (Photo: Chef Mike’s ABG)It’s a Friday night in the summer in South Seaside Park, and you never know who might pop in for a perfectly-mixed drink and one of the Jersey Shore’s best cuts of filet Mignon. Governors have been known to dine there often while vacationing at their summer retreat at nearby Island Beach State Park. It’s an oceanfront tradition for vacationers, and a beloved elegant setting for locals to enjoy their home. Chef Mike’s ABG is legendary ...
Chef Mike’s ABG, South Seaside Park, N.J. (Photo: Chef Mike’s ABG)
It’s a Friday night in the summer in South Seaside Park, and you never know who might pop in for a perfectly-mixed drink and one of the Jersey Shore’s best cuts of filet Mignon. Governors have been known to dine there often while vacationing at their summer retreat at nearby Island Beach State Park. It’s an oceanfront tradition for vacationers, and a beloved elegant setting for locals to enjoy their home. Chef Mike’s ABG is legendary – and it’s located on a swath of land where a developer is asking the state to permit the demolition of nearly an entire block occupied by a motel, to be replaced with 13 single-family homes.
When neighbors received notices in the mail that the developer, Arya Properties, was seeking permission under the state’s Coastal Areas Facilities Review Act to effectuate the plan – long rumored, but never having come to fruition – their first reaction was to call Chef Mike’s. Some contacted the press. One woman said proximity to the restaurant’s perch on the oceanfront at the end of 24th Avenue was one of the reasons she moved to the neighborhood.
Arya Properties, owned by Ocean County Commissioner Frank Sadeghi, does not own the property. But his company has applied for the permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection, a customary step when a developer is considering purchasing a plot of land and wants assurances that what he envisions can be built there. In this case, a large motel which stretches most of the length of the block would be demolished, as well as the oceanfront restaurant that is legally located on the same lot. The land would be divided into 13 parcels, ranging from 3,000 square feet to about 8,000 square feet, which would accommodate single-family homes in varying configurations.
Mike Jurusz, “Chef Mike” himself, said his beloved restaurant will remain open regardless of the state’s decision.
“There’s a lot of back story about it,” he said this week.
Chef Mike (right) and the restaurant’s manager, South Seaside Park, N.J. (Photo: Chef Mike’s ABG)
Jurusz said he was considering buying the property, which has been for sale for five years, himself. But the restaurant’s liquor license is tied to the operation of the motel, and would be set aside if the motel were to be razed. A private beach outside the restaurant would likely be at risk of reverting back to public ownership, taking away one of the aspects that makes the fine dining restaurant so unique.
Jurusz said he just signed a new lease that runs from Feb. 2025 to Feb. 2026, and the restaurant will be open year-round except for an annual break at the height of winter. While the threat of the property being sold has loomed for some time, Jurusz expects Chef Mike’s ABG to maintain its unique – and prized – location for the foreseeable future. Redeveloping an entire block on the oceanside would likely require multiple rounds of permitting approvals that could span years.
“Even if it was sold tomorrow, it would probably take years for them to break ground,” he said.
Arya’s application before the DEP was the subject of public notices received by residents within 200-feet of any position of the affected area this week. The document contains little in the way of details, and directs those with concerns to submit a public records request to the agency for more information. Being that Arya is seeking a CAFRA permit, the state will require either a 30-day public comment period or an in-person public hearing, the dates of which will be announced in a future notice.
At Chef Mike’s the staff is preparing the weekend’s specials. The restaurant reopened last week after its annual post-New Year break, with Jurusz planning a number of special events this season, as well as a vast number of charitable efforts that has helped make him one of the most respected and admired restaurateurs in the Shore area.
“We are on course to have a great year,” Jurusz said. “We will absolutely be here.”
(We strongly recommend the filet mignon medallions.)
Months after having been investigated by the borough’s planning board, the Seaside Heights borough council has introduced an ordinance that, when adopted, will form a redevelopment plan for the former Bamboo Bar nightclub property on the Boulevard.While progress is well-underway on a high-end, mixed use complex at the site of its once sister-establishment, Karma, the Bamboo site has languished under a different owner. Officials have previously signaled frustration at the pace of redevelopment, and with the ordinance will empower...
Months after having been investigated by the borough’s planning board, the Seaside Heights borough council has introduced an ordinance that, when adopted, will form a redevelopment plan for the former Bamboo Bar nightclub property on the Boulevard.
While progress is well-underway on a high-end, mixed use complex at the site of its once sister-establishment, Karma, the Bamboo site has languished under a different owner. Officials have previously signaled frustration at the pace of redevelopment, and with the ordinance will empower the town to select a redeveloper, negotiate a formal agreement, require proof of financial wherewithal to complete the project, and set forth specifications for redevelopment. The current owner of the site will be eligible to be that redeveloper, but will be required to follow the plan adopted by the council.
The parcel was sold for $1,058,000, according to county tax records, and the vacant lot is currently assessed at $1,115,600. It is currently owned by TKD Holdings, which is being represented by one of the principals of the company, Rudy Daunno III, who is acting as broker. TKD has previous said it intends to build a 48-unit mixed-use complex known as “The Lofts at Bamboo.”
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What Will Go There?
According to a copy of the redevelopment plan obtained by Shorebeat, the project – as required under the ordinance – will consist of a six-story mixed use development, which will feature “active ground floor retail sales and fitness uses facing Boulevard, accessory ground floor parking facilities, and upper floor multi-family residential apartments.”
The building would be limited to six stories and 67-feet in height, with the sixth story limited to an internally-connected upper level of a fifth floor residential unit, mechanical rooms, screened mechanical equipment, elevator and stair bulkheads and a community room.
The development “shall be oriented towards Boulevard,” the plan states, with pedestrian access to the residential lobby serving as the primary entrance to the multi-family component of the development. The upper floor residential component will be stepped back from the corner of the Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue, where a residential amenity deck and pool will be built, overlooking the Boulevard street frontage.
The fifth floor will also include a community room for the residents of the development, which will also be oriented toward or overlooking the Boulevard.
Accessible from the Boulevard, the redevelopment plan allows for retail uses, restaurants and cafes, art galleries, or health and fitness facilities on the ground floor. The primary pedestrian entrance to the multifamily use and the lobby area would also be located along the Boulevard, and no parking areas would be permitted within 50-feet of the property line along the Boulevard. Likewise, no vehicular access or curb cuts to accessory parking facilities would be permitted along Boulevard.
Side streets will also be part of the redevelopment plan.
“Appropriate streetscape elements should also be provided to provide an inviting pedestrian environment along Franklin Avenue,” the plan states.
Along Lincoln Avenue, the first 20 feet of frontage extending west from Boulevard would be occupied by commercial space. One vehicular entrance to any enclosed parking garage will be permitted along Lincoln Avenue (if located at least 50 feet from the Boulevard property line). All parking areas must be enclosed and screened, and any portions of the ground floor along Lincoln Avenue that screen enclosed parking areas must incorporate graphic or sculptural art, decorative screening or latticework, living plant material or similar measures to “create visual interest and avoid the appearance of a long uninterrupted blank wall.”
Curb Appeal
The eventual development will also have to comply with the plan’s aesthetic and functional requirements, given its location in the central business district.
The project “shall provide new, or improve existing, public sidewalks along all adjacent public streets,” the plan requires. Street furnishings and landscaping must be provided along all frontages to “soften the sidewalk environment and enhance the pedestrian experience.” A streetscape plan will be presented to the borough for review before approval. Street furniture, such as benches, bike racks, and public art, are encouraged along the streetscape and at convenient locations, as long as they do not impede pedestrian or vehicular circulation. Appropriate streetscape elements will be extended along both Lincoln Avenue and Franklin Avenue to “encourage an engaging pedestrian environment that continues the pedestrian experience from Boulevard.”
Next Steps
The borough council will hold a public hearing and second vote on the introduced redevelopment plan, then solicit proposals from redevelopers, which will likely include the property’s current owner. The ordinance does, however, maintain the ability for the borough to utilize eminent domain to take the property if the plan is violated or if construction does not begin after permits are issued.
Once a redeveloper is designated by the Borough Council, that party will be required to enter into a redevelopment agreement with the borough that stipulates the precise nature and extent of the improvements to be made, and their timing and phasing as permitted. The redeveloper could also negotiate incentives such as future tax abatements.
The council will next meet on Feb. 5, where it is expected the plan will be scheduled for a second vote and final adoption.
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