In Photos: Cityscape in Belmar

I love the bright red facade of the Cityscape building going up in Belmar. It's so crisp and modern, and it really punctuates the view when looking east along W. Virginia Ave.

Continued Development of Downtown Lakewood at Risk in this Fall's Mayoral Election

I confess to being a little worried about the low profile of this fall's mayoral election here in Lakewood. The race for mayor doesn't have the glamor or the emotions of a presidential election, but in many ways the choice of mayor has far more direct impact on our lives.

Mayor Bob Murphy has guided our city brilliantly through a period of urban renewal and focused city government on issues like sustainability, job creation, and affordable housing. Belmar and downtown Lakewood wouldn't exist without his leadership.

Murphy, however, will not be on this fall's ballot. Instead, we have a stark choice.

Local businessman Adam Paul has pledged to keep Lakewood going forward in roughly the direction laid out by Mayor Murphy. He listens, he works to solve problems, and he favors smart growth like Belmar.

His opponent, Ramey Johnson, represents a real threat Belmar and the idea of downtown Lakewood. She has promised to focus on maintaining Lakewood's "rural character," is suspicious of urban renewal efforts like those in Belmar, is hostile to public transit, and is vehemently opposed to the taxes necessary to keep our roads paved and our parks green.

Put plainly, Ramey Johnson is anti "la vida Belmar."

So spread the word. If you love living in Belmar, if you're excited about the vibrant urban space that's grown up here in downtown Lakewood, Adam Paul needs your support.

In Photos: Belmar Community Garden

CNU Article on Design Features of Belmar

Why is Belmar so much more than just another development? How was New Urbanist design integrated into its layout?

The Congress for the New Urbanism has a great (albeit short) article about what makes Belmar so special:

http://www.cnu.org/dead-mall-becomes-downtown-sprawling-suburb

Construction Starts on Bocce Courts

Construction has started on a permanent home for Belmar's bocce courts, located on the west side of Belmar Square.

It's looking like there will be three courts, each with concrete foundations. I haven't seen plans for the final design, but it's clear that the new courts will be higher quality than the temporary ones they are replacing.

In Photos: New Streetscapes in Belmar

With so many projects going up, the streetscapes in Belmar are changing daily. Belmar is really growing up into a true downtown.

Townhome Construction Set to Start: Bocce Courts Relocating to Belmar Square

A fence is up around the parking lot and bocce courts at the corner of S. Saulsbury and W. Alaska Drive, which suggests that construction will be beginning shortly on the next set of David Weekley townhomes in downtown Lakewood. Sales have been lively, and I've noticed that pricing, which started last year at $380K, has now jumped to almost $450K!

Belmar has previously said they wanted to keep the bocce courts, and a notice on the fencing promises relocation to Belmar Square, the large, grassy park at the south end of Teller Street. Construction of the new courts, the sign notes, will begin in August and be completed for this year's Festival Italiano.