Channel Drive Property Purchase Gets Ocean County Support

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ — Efforts to acquire a parcel on Channel Drive along the Manasquan River have received a boost, after the Ocean County Board of Commissioners accepted a recommendation to buy the property.

The county's Natural Lands Trust Fund Advisory Committee recommended the county buy the 0.59-acre site at 113-115 Channel Drive.

A resolution approved by the commissioners at their March 25 meeting said the county would spend $2.86 million for the property "plus up to $6,500 in property tax adjustments."

Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Doug Vitale announced the commissioners' vote and said it comes after months of discussions with the county about the site.

"While the County has not yet provided definitive plans, we will continue to strongly advocate for this property to be utilized as passive recreational space for our residents and visitors," Vitale said.

The next step is for the county commissioners to appropriate the money for the purchase through an ordinance. It's unclear how quickly that will happen but typically once the commissioners accept a recommendation, the ordinance to spend the funds is approved within 60 days.

The money for the purchase would come from the county's Natural Lands Trust account, which is funded by the county's open space tax residents pay on their property taxes.

Point Pleasant Beach has been looking to acquire the site for some time as part of efforts to prevent other development at the site.

The borough council in 2025 had weighed bonding to buy the site, but tabled the bond ordinance in April 2025 in favor of asking residents to weigh in on a referendum.

Residents approved of the proposal in a 1,414 to 818 vote on a November referendum on the proposal.

"This property offers direct access to our borough’s beautiful waterways," Vitale said in the fall ahead of the referendum. "Securing it provides space for passive recreation. It will create direct public access to the water for kayaks, fishing, and scenic enjoyment."

"And most importantly, it will ensure that this prime location remains in public hands — not redeveloped in ways that restrict access or change the character of our waterfront," he said.

The borough website has a separate webpage devoted to the 113-115 Channel Drive Project.

The property is part of ongoing discussions about revitalizing Channel Drive, which has been a topic in the borough for more than five years. Construction plans have been proposed and revised as the discussions continue.

"Ensuring public ownership (of the 113-115 Channel Drive site) means we can shape the future — less chance of private enterprise limiting access, more opportunity for community-driven outcomes," Vitale said in November.

The borough had received a $1 million Green Acres grant for the purchase of the site before the referendum.

The Borough Council is scheduled to meet Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.