ReOPEN Asbury Park

ReOPEN Asbury Park

The ReOPEN Asbury Park program is a pilot program – as such, regulations regarding street closures may change. Check this page frequently for the most up-to-date information. 

DINING & RETAIL EXPANSION

Cookman Avenue from Main Street to Emory Street will be closed beginning Thursday, September 24, through Monday, September 28, 2020 to through traffic and parking to allow for the expansion of dining and retail. (Parking and through traffic will be prohibited starting Thursday 12pm through Monday 7am.) Weekend closures will continue through October 5, 2020.

Cookman Avenue from Emory Street to Bangs Avenue will be closed to through traffic and parking 7 days a week to allow for the expansion of dining and retail through October 5, 2020.

In these pedestrian areas:

  • All outdoor activities on the street, including music, must end by 10pm. Food and beverage service can continue on the sidewalk areas next to restaurants in accordance with liquor license approvals by the NJ ABC.
  • No skateboards, scooters or bike riding permitted. Please walk your bikes. (Bikes racks are located on Cookman Avenue at Main Street. Please remember to lock your bikes.) 
  • Social distancing and face coverings/masks are required.
  • Face coverings/masks are required if patrons are away from their table outdoors or entering the indoor premises to pick up take-out or use the restroom.
  • Patrons may not congregate in dining areas or in the pedestrian walkways to wait for tables.
  • Alcoholic beverages may not be removed from dining areas.

Businesses, see below for requirements and permit information. The City has implemented the ReOPEN Asbury Park plan in an effort to aid in business recovery as much as possible. As we are adjusting the plan to meet the needs of the City’s residents, visitors and businesses, and keep everyone safe, we need and appreciate your feedback. Please email us at reopen@cityofasburypark.com.

To report any business in violation of the Governor’s Executive Orders or the NJ Department of Health guidelines, please call APPD at 732-502-5791 (Watch Commander) or 732-774-1300 (Main Number).

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City Council Announces ReOPEN Asbury Park: Business & Community Recovery Strategy Plan

Based on guidance from the State of New Jersey, City Council, with input from City staff, the Asbury Park Business Committee and the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce, has developed a comprehensive business and community recovery strategy plan to reopen Asbury Park during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ReOPEN Asbury Park: Business & Community Recovery Strategy plan, which was announced at last night’s Council meeting, aims to expand capacity for restaurants and retail; utilize public space as a mechanism to allow people to maintain social distancing; and provide opportunities for residents to safely enjoy their neighborhoods.

The plan, which will launch as a pilot, will implement open streets on a temporary basis allowing residents the opportunity to maintain social distancing while participating in recreational activities. It will also provide street closures in select areas to afford businesses additional outdoor space due to the reduction in capacity and social distancing requirements as per Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 150 which permits outdoor dining and in-person non-essential retail effective Monday, June 15 at 6am.

City Council has also temporarily relaxed existing ordinances and procedures to help businesses, creating a “2020 Outdoor Dining & Outdoor Retail Sales Temporary Permit” to allow for expanded use of sidewalks, public streets and private property, including parking lots, to assist in increasing dining and retail space to mitigate against the required reduction of capacity. 

Click here for the ReOPEN Asbury Park Plan (PDF)

Click here for Resolution 2020-187 associated with ReOPEN Asbury Park (PDF)


2020 OUTDOOR DINING & OUTDOOR RETAIL SALES TEMPORARY PERMIT APPLICATION AND 2020 TEMPORARY CANOPY APPLICATION

BUSINESS RESOURCES

  • Governor Murphy has signed Executive Order 183 permitting limited indoor dining and theater and indoor performance venue capacity effective Friday, September 4 at 6am.

  • Governor Murphy has signed Executive Order 150 permitting outdoor dining and in-person non-essential retail effective Monday, June 15 at 6am.

  • Governor Murphy has signed Executive Order 152 raising limits on indoor gatherings.

  • The Executive Order also permits brick-and-mortar premises of non-essential retail businesses that were closed to the public by Executive Order No. 107 to reopen. Such businesses will be required to adopt the requirements outlined in Executive Order 122, paragraph 1. This includes limiting capacity to 50% of maximum capacity, installing physical barriers between customers and cashiers, and requiring workers and customers to wear face coverings, among other requirements.

  • Please note, the Monmouth County Health Department will be conducting inspections as it relates to requirements outlined by the Executive Order in satisfying Department of Health standards. Inspections will begin starting June 15, 2020.

  • In addition, for those with a Liquor License, the ABC has created the new COVID-19 Expansion Permit to address the anticipated need of licensees to expand their premises to allow reasonable seating capacity while observing social distancing guidelines. This permit will be available to all licensees with retail consumption privileges and will allow liberal expansion privileges subject to local approval. The COVID-19 Expansion Permit will be available exclusively through ABC’s POSSE Online Licensing System (“POSSE”). An ABC COVID-19 Expansion Permit is only required if there is an expansion beyond previously approved outdoor areas. For details on the ABC’s COVID-19 Expansion Permit, visit www.nj.gov/oag/abc.

BUSINESS FEEDBACK

  • The City has implemented the ReOPEN Asbury Park plan in an effort to aid in business recovery as much as possible. As we are adjusting the plan to meet the needs of the City’s residents, visitors and businesses and keep everyone safe, we need and appreciate your feedback. Please email us at reopen@cityofasburypark.com.