A Brief History of West Lake Avenue
For 35 years, West Lake Avenue, in the Midtown section of Neptune Township, has been barely surviving, not thriving. A once busy commercial stretch has seen urban blight take hold. It has been impossible to meet the needs and desires of local residents.
It wasn't always this way. There was a time when West Lake Avenue was the center of a thriving commercial and residential community. Businesses like Bill's Dry Cleaners, Little Wonders, Chicks' Fish & Chips, Sharpes' Army/Navy, Nahans' Shoes and Mr. Raven's Deli drew customers. Local residents did not have to go elsewhere to shop, dine out or access the services they needed. The strong commercial base supported a strong residential community. Midtown was a highly functioning urban neighborhood within the city of Neptune.
There have always been Midtown residents who believed in the rebirth of their community. In 1998, the Midtown Neighborhood Empowerment Council (MNEC) was formed. The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Neighborhood Preservation Program awarded a grant to the MNEC.
The MNEC later evolved into the Midtown Urban Renaissance Corporation (MURC), a non-profit, community development corporation. MURC numbers community residents, local officials, business owners, religious and civic leaders and other stakeholders among its members. The goal of MURC is nothing short of revitalizing the Midtown section of Neptune.
MURC has been working with the New Jersey Redevelopment Association [?] and the Neptune Economic Development Council for a number of years. Now, MURC will be partnering with CityWorks to bring a plan to improve West Lake Avenue to fruition.
The Neptune Township Council is also committed to restoring the commercial vitality of West Lake Avenue and creating a neighborhood center, consisting of commercial and residential buildings and mixed-use structures, for Midtown.
The Neptune Township Council and MURC will be joined by CityWorks in their effort to carry out the current plan for West Lake Avenue, which is based on community input and cooperation. The community will remain a vital part of the process of envisioning what West Lake Avenue can become.
The surrounding neighborhood will retain its solid residential component, and its vitality will be enhanced as the commercial center is developed and the residential base is expanded. Local businesses will continue to serve the area.
The possibilities inherent in the Midtown section will finally become realities.