RESILIENCE CENTER: LONG BRANCH

WB unabridged with Yale ARCADIS
New Jersey

Along the coast are a number of impounded tidal inlets, which have changed from premier home sites to unpleasant landscapes subject to poor water quality and flooding. Restoring tidal flow will re-connect inland locations with the beach through healthy estuaries, recreational zones, and green spaces.

The Resilience Center at Monmouth University links to the research initiatives already underway for rapid response along urban coasts. Many necessary elements are already in place: a gymnasium which hosted 1200 people during Hurricane Sandy, food service, and classrooms.  What is needed is a public education outreach component to supply the regional need for more research, training, and pilot projects in coastal and estuary restoration. The training center will form the nucleus for recovery of this and other waterways along the shoreline.

One satellite project is a new rail stop along the New Jersey Transit line to serve the 6,500 faculty and students of the university plus a population of 7720 residents within a 10-minute walk.  This will include transit-oriented commercial uses and housing units.  A second satellite project will be an outdoor center to replace the original lifesaving station at the beach, with public functions including: kayak and bicycle rentals, fishing gear for the restored species in the lake, and a snack bar.

Translate