Seaside Park Seeking Bids for Boardwalk Replacement, Planning Rebuild of Three Parking Lots

Seaside Park boardwalk/parking areas. (Photos: Shorebeat)

Seaside Park is now formally soliciting bids to replace a major portion of its boardwalk, as well as developing plans to rebuild three parking lots as part of the long-term project.

Bids are now being accepted for the replacement of the boardwalk from 5th Avenue to K Street. This portion of the boardwalk corresponds largely to the section which is made of timber decking rather than Trex-style aggregate decking. The project, designed by engineering firm T&M Associates, will be placed out to bid by the private firm.

In addition to the redecking and replacement of underlying infrastructure, the project would also include the construction of new handicap-accessible ramps to the boardwalk. These ramps will likely be larger than the corrupt ramps since they will criss-cross in more locations in order to keep the slope of the entrance to a minimum.

---

Get Daily Island News Updates Your email address:* Please enter all required fields Correct invalid entries

The Seaside Park boardwalk, a mix of timber and Trex, Sept. 2023. (Photo: Shorebeat)

The Seaside Park boardwalk, a mix of timber and Trex, Sept. 2023. (Photo: Shorebeat)

The portion of the boardwalk covered by the current bid solicitation begins approximately at the lifeguard headquarters in the northern portion of the borough and runs south for 17 blocks.

The borough has been approved for funding from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, known as the “I-Bank.” In total, the I-Bank would finance up to $12,218,273, which is expected to be enough to cover the entirety of the project.

Unlike a simple redecking project, the 17-block portion of Seaside Park’s boardwalk most in need of work requires the replacement of additional infrastructure.

“We need to actually dig out and reconfigure the infrastructure, including the support pilings, cross beams and stringers,” Mayor John Peterson said previously.

The borough council also directed RVE, another engineering firm, to begin designing specifications for the reconstruction of three parking areas along the oceanfront that would be completed along with the boardwalk replacement. This portion of the project has not yet been put out to bid.

RVE will design the project, as well as develop specifications and submit permit applications for the reconstruction of the lots. The firm will also develop a separate application to the I-Bank through the state’s Clean Water program to receive optimal financing, some of which could be forgivable.

A Seaside Park parking kiosk, March 2024. (Photo: Shorebeat)

Lot 1 is located west of Ocean Avenue between Stockton and Farragut avenues. It is not located directly on the oceanfront. Lot 2 refers to the large oceanfront lot with an entrance on Lafayette Avenue, which then wraps around clockwise to an exit on the southwestern corner of the lot. Lot 3 is a smaller oceanfront lot that runs along the boardwalk from N Street to K Street. All are paid lots.

RVE will be paid $99,184 for the development of the reconstruction plans, permitting and application for financing.