Seaside Park to Auction Off Derelict Former Rental Property

Seaside Park officials on Thursday night voted to auction off a property the borough it had acquired last year after it fallen into grave disrepair while being operated as a rental business.

The building at 66 I Street is still standing, albeit with boards covering some windows and door openings. The council on Thursday voted to authorize the auction of the property, but only after demolition is complete. The borough will select an auctioneer or platform, and must advertise the auction twice in a print newspaper at least a week before it occurs.

The borough council has already approved the demolition of the building.

The property at 66 I Street, Seaside Park, N.J., Feb. 2023. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

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The property at 66 I Street, Seaside Park, N.J., Feb. 2023. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

The property was voluntarily sold to the borough after officials recommended the declaration of the property as an area in need of redevelopment, the first step toward a potential condemnation. Meanwhile, tenants were still occupying the premises. The sale was completed in January 2022 for $850,000.

An investigation by the borough’s engineering firm at the time of the redevelopment declaration hearing found the multi-unit property to be both unsafe and unsanitary.

The property at 66 I Street, Seaside Park, N.J., Feb. 2023. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

“Buckets were on the floors, tarps were on the ceiling to keep out the leaking,” the borough engineer said, describing the derelict conditions in the dwelling units.

Her review also found boarded windows, water stains, unsecured wires, a deteriorated roof, and defective wiring going to a sump pump, as well as a major history of other code violations.