{"id":8854,"date":"2021-03-03T02:53:47","date_gmt":"2021-03-03T07:53:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shorebeat.com\/lavallette-seaside\/?p=8854"},"modified":"2021-03-03T15:13:43","modified_gmt":"2021-03-03T20:13:43","slug":"point-pleasant-beach-looks-to-acquire-demolish-troubled-motel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shorebeat.com\/lavallette-seaside\/2021\/03\/point-pleasant-beach-looks-to-acquire-demolish-troubled-motel\/","title":{"rendered":"Point Pleasant Beach Looks to Acquire, Demolish Troubled Motel"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Amethyst<\/a>

Amethyst Beach Motel (Credit: Google Maps)<\/p><\/div>\n

The Point Pleasant Beach borough council on Tuesday night signaled its support to acquire \u2013 either by negotiation or eminent domain \u2013 the Amethyst Beach Motel on Arnold Avenue.<\/p>\n

Mayor Paul Kanitra introduced a discussion on the matter which was followed by a strong signal of support from council members to move forward. It is expected that the council, at its next meeting, will formally introduce an ordinance to buy the motel and several lots that surround it. No monetary figures were disclosed at Tuesday\u2019s meeting, though a sample ordinance was provided along with the agenda. That document appears embedded below this story.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe intent will be to tear it down and create more parking as a result of that,\u201d said Kanitra.<\/p>\n

Councilman Bob Santanello, at one point, prodded Kanitra on the reasoning behind purchasing the motel.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen this was presented to us in closed door, there were two reasons you wanted to acquire this property,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

It was largely implied that a secondary reason for acquiring the property was the motel\u2019s history of attracting police attention. The motel\u2019s history includes a high-profile incident in July 2017 in which a woman was sentenced to six years in prison<\/a> for causing the drowning death of a friend during a drunken episode.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was discussed at length, and I want to make sure we\u2019re clear on it,\u201d Santanello said, referring to the \u201csecond reason\u201d for the purchase.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think any other components and side effects associated with the property are well known by the police and residents in this town,\u201d Kanitra replied. \u201cIf, as an unintended side effect of this, our police officers have time to handle other issues around town, that\u2019s a net positive.\u201d<\/p>\n

The motel, located at 202 Arnold Avenue, is adjacent to Little Silver Lake and the borough\u2019s largest parking lot which surrounds it. More parking spaces could translate into additional revenue for the borough, officials said.<\/p>\n

The borough will attempt to negotiate with the motel\u2019s owner before resorting to remedies such as eminent domain.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe landowner has had a very difficult schedule,\u201d said Kanitra. \u201cHe said he won\u2019t be available until April, which will give us some time to get moving on this.\u201d<\/p>\n

~<\/p>\n

The Ordinance Under Consideration<\/strong><\/p>\n