If you're familiar with the Belmar/ Avon-By-The-Sea community you know exactly where I took the cover photo. While enjoying a nice boardwalk run, I was able to snag a cool picture at the peak of the Ocean Avenue Shark River Bridge. It's real simple, that bridge will have to go up every single time the direct ferry from New York City comes to town. The question most locals are asking is, "Will the direct ferry from Belmar to NYC even be a thing?"

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If you remember, this was breaking news in February of 2020. I don't need to remind you but February 2020 was the last month things were normal before all hell broke loose with COVID-19. Most of us, including me, forgot about this news... we obviously had other things to worry about.

SO HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW: In February 2020, CBS New York broke the story by telling everyone that a major redevelopment plan could create a new hot spot in Belmar. Not only did CBS New York say that there will be a direct ferry from Belmar to NYC, but the "plan" calls for the completion of a hotel/ conference center. This will be located on the northern side of Belmar at Fifth and Main Street. At the time Mayor Mark Walsifer said, "There has to be infrastructure studies. There has to be parking studies. There has to be traffic studies". I can report, those studies are happening. COVID-19 might have put a lot of things on pause but this local major redevelopment plan has not been thrown away in the garbage. Whether it's a good plan or a bad plan, if I was a gambling man, I would go all-in on this actually becoming a reality.

Who knows what Belmar will like in 5 to 10 years?!

In the CBS New York article, Doug McCoach of the DOBCO Group said, "We would like to see a stronger and more vital downtown business district that is able to support year-round residents and additional commercial activity."

As a local, as a daily Belmar beach surfer, I just don't know about this. I like my beach, I like my parking spots, I enjoy my Belmar favorites in a relaxing way. To be honest, I could care less about going to New York City. I am saying this in the most Jersey Shore way... I am a little worried about the craziness that would leak its way south from New York City... HOWEVER, I do understand this would bring tremendous opportunity for local businesses. Let’s be honest, if you can afford a ferry ride from Manhattan to Belmar, you’re coming to the Jersey Shore to spend some money! 

What do you think? Would you want to see something like this in Belmar? SHARE AND COMMENT! - Jimmy G

My Favorite Personal Belmar Beach Pictures

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