| 2012: | Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
December 20, 2012
PARKWAY CONTRACT: A $100 million contract for reconstruction of the Garden State Parkway is to be awarded this week. The two-year project will eliminate traffic lights at Crest Haven Road, Stone Harbor Boulevard, and Shell Bay Avenue. The highly anticipated project has been discussed for nearly 50 years. Once completed, traffic will flow unimpeded, with overpasses and on/off ramps instead of traffic lights.
BEACHFILL PROJECT: Equipment is being staged for the upcoming beachfill project on Seven Mile Beach. A vessel carrying marine sonar and surveying equipment is docked at The Marina at Avalon Anchorage, where it will be based for the duration of the project. Look for sand pumping to begin soon!
TOYS FOR TOTS: The Avalon Real Estate Agency family is pleased to have collected over one hundred toys for our annual Toys for Tots drive. Thanks to all who contributed--you've helped brighten the holiday of a child!
SPENDING NEW YEAR'S EVE on the island? Lots of local restaurants have New Year's Eve packages. Check out the Golden Inn, Windrift, Fred's Tavern, or The Princeton, for example. Why not ring in the New Year on your favorite island?
Matthew Metzler designed the artwork for Avalon's 2013 beach tags. Matthew is an 8th grade student at Avalon Elementary School.
THANK YOU for your business and referrals throughout the year. I sincerely appreciate it, and look forward to working with you again in 2013!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and yours. Wishing you the very best for the season and the upcoming year!
THE AVALON/STONE HARBOR UPDATE will return the first week of January, with more news, events, and property listings!
December 13, 2012
BEACH FILL: A highly anticipated beachfill project is set to begin on or about December 15th when a dredge will be mobilized. Once sand pumping begins, the dredge will operate 24/7 to complete the project. Avalon will receive up to 190,000 cubic yards of sand on its north end beaches from 9th Street to 20th Street. Stone Harbor will receive up to 260,000 cubic yards of sand to be placed on its beaches from 99th Street to between 113th and 114th Streets, plus 119th Street to the Hereford Inlet groin. The US Army Corps of Engineers will oversee the project.
MARKET STATS: Through November 30th, 382 properties have sold in the local market, up 31% over last year's figure of 291 sales during the same time period. The average sale price this year was $1,181,452, down 7.6% from last year's average of $1,279,690. This year's median was $887,500, down slightly from last year's median of $895,000. Substantially more sales occurred under $1 million this year: last year there were 167 sub-$1 million sales through November 30th, while this year there were 219.
BEACH TAG FEES have come under fire recently as two New Jersey State Senators have proposed legislation requiring beach towns to provide free beach access if federal or state funds are used to replenish beaches. Local municipalities are against the proposal, citing the cost of maintaining beaches and providing lifeguards. The legislation has not yet been formally introduced. Stay tuned!
TOYS FOR TOTS: We've already turned over an enormous pile of toys to the Toys for Tots drive but there's still time to contribute! Stop by our office Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Monday to drop off your toy. We'll see that it gets where it needs to go!
SANTA EXPRESS! Cape May Seashore Lines has brought back their popular Santa Express trains, now running Saturdays and Sundays plus a couple of evenings between now and December 23rd. Santa visits with all passengers aboard the trip from nearby Tuckahoe to Richland Village. Ride on historic passenger cars pulled by historic diesel locomotives, enjoy the scenery, and visit with the "Big Guy" himself! Most trains sell out, so visit www.the-santa-express.com to order your tickets. Be sure to bring a camera!
The Santa Express enroute to Richland Village from Tuckahoe. Cape May Seashore Lines is running trains through December 23rd!
December 6, 2012
AVALON'S LIBRARY: The Avalon Free Public Library has been awarded a five-star designation by Library Journal for the fifth time. It is one of only three libraries in New Jersey to receive the five-star designation each year. Library Journal rated the libraries based on their circulation, visits, program attendance, and public internet usage.
HOLIDAY BEACH TAGS make great stocking stuffers! Stone Harbor's 2013 Holiday tags can be purchased at the Borough Clerk's office from 8:30am to 4pm Monday through Friday. Avalon's 2013 Holiday tags can be purchased at the tax collector's office from 8:15am to 4:15pm Monday through Friday. The tags are available while supplies last at the preseason price of $21 each.
STONE HARBOR hosted a meeting on December 3rd with the NJDEP to discuss water conservation in the community. "Smart controller" irrigation systems were discussed, among other topics. Stone Harbor Council is expected to introduce an ordinance in January, 2013 requiring "smart controller" irrigation systems for all new construction, and for homes where half or more of a structure is renovated.
OUTFALL PIPES at 20th, 22nd, and 24th Streets in Avalon will receive rubber check valves to reduce nuisance flooding. Avalon's council approved the $65,000 installation cost at a recent meeting.
JITNEY SERVICE for Avalon and Stone Harbor is possible for 2013. Officials are meeting this week with members of the Atlantic County Jitney Association to discuss details. Stay tuned!
THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY GIFT: Provide your family with the gift of seashore memories! Book a week's vacation on the island and surprise your family! Better yet, buy a vacation home and make seashore memories all year long! I'll supply the big red bow!
Give your family the ultimate gift--a vacation in Avalon or Stone Harbor!
THERE'S STILL TIME to contribute a toy to our Toys-for-Tots drive! Brighten the holiday of a child--simply stop by our office Monday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm, to drop off a toy!