The people spoke up. And it worked.
After days of public uproar, Madison Marquette — the developer behind Asbury Park’s beloved Casino Building — has confirmed the iconic breezeway will be repaired, not torn down.
It’s a welcome reversal. But the road here was messy.
How We Got Here
The breezeway, nestled just north of Ocean Grove along the boardwalk, has been closed since May 2023. At the time, Madison Marquette promised a grand renovation — arts, entertainment, dining, the works. They said it would reopen “shortly.”
That was nearly three years ago. Nothing happened. No construction. No updates. Just silence and an empty walkway.
Then Came the Demolition Permit
On January 27th, things took a sharp turn. The city manager’s office confirmed Madison Marquette had applied for a demolition permit. A bright red “unsafe structure” sticker appeared on the building. Photos spread fast on social media.
People were furious.
Attorney Joseph Maraziti didn’t mince words, calling it a “shocking disregard” for the boardwalk landmarks the developer has controlled since 2010.
Lawmakers Stepped In
By Friday, state Sen. Vin Gopal and Assemblymembers Margie Donlan and Luanne Peterpaul had fired off a letter to the developer. Their message was direct: don’t demolish a century-old landmark.
They acknowledged the repairs wouldn’t be cheap. But they also pointed out something hard to ignore — Madison Marquette had done little to prevent the building from deteriorating further since shutting it down.
The Developer’s Response
Hours after the letter went public on Facebook, the Asbury Park Boardwalk account posted a statement. The tone was casual, almost dismissive.
They chalked it up to rumors. They referenced social media hysteria and even joked about the curse of the Morro Castle.
Then came the key line: the breezeway will be repaired, preserved, and reopened as a public walkway to Ocean Grove.
They also reassured residents that the adjacent Carousel building is perfectly fine and will continue hosting events.
So, Is It Over?
Not quite. A few loose ends remain.
It’s unclear whether the demolition permit request was formally pulled. City officials had no comment Friday evening.
And while most residents were relieved by the news, skepticism ran high in the comments. After three years of broken promises, that’s understandable.
The building is safe for now. Whether the follow-through actually comes? That’s the part everyone will be watching.
