FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,

October 9, 2026

Asbury Park, NJ — ASBURY PARK, NJ - Mayoral candidate Dan Sciannameo is calling for the creation of a designated WestSide Arts District that would build on Asbury Park's rich musical, artistic and cultural history while creating new economic opportunities for residents and businesses.

"The WestSide has played an enormous role in the cultural history of Asbury Park," said Sciannameo. "We should be embracing that history and using it as a foundation for the future. I want to see the WestSide become a destination for artists, musicians, entrepreneurs and visitors-and pursue a renaissance for this vital area that frankly has been ignored. This is an initiative for the West Side and for the people of the west side and these neighborhoods that have been neglected for too long.”

Sciannameo's proposal would establish a clearly defined arts and cultural district centered on the WestSide, with an emphasis on Springwood Avenue and surrounding neighborhoods.

The initiative could include:

• Artist studios and affordable creative spaces in existing buildings;

• Galleries, performance spaces and small cultural venues;

• Affordable living spaces for WestSide residents and artists certified for eligibility and

• Murals, public art installations and artist-designed streetscapes;

• Live music and cultural programming throughout the year;

• Incentives for creative businesses and locally owned establishments;

• Adaptive reuse of existing buildings rather than relying solely on new construction;

• Partnerships with local artists, arts organizations, schools and cultural institutions; and

• Marketing the WestSide as an arts and cultural destination within Asbury Park.

The concept builds upon planning work that the city has already undertaken. Asbury Park's Arts & Culture Plan, adopted by the Planning Board in 2023, identifies arts and culture as an important component of the city's economic development and calls for identifying areas appropriate for arts and culture districts. (Asbury Park Arts Council)

The city's amended Springwood Avenue Redevelopment Plan also recognizes the importance of public art on the WestSide and states that public art should reflect the area's contribution to the cultural life of Asbury Park. (City of Asbury Park)

This will include strong protections to insure that no current residents are displaced as a result of any new development.

The WestSide also has a significant musical legacy. Previous planning work envisioned redevelopment along Springwood Avenue building upon the area's music history and creating entertainment, education and cultural venues. (City of Asbury Park)

"We already have the history, the artists and the stories," Sciannameo said. "What we need is a deliberate strategy to bring all of those pieces together and it is time to allow the WestSide to be an economic and cultural asset for the entire city, and especially for the existing residents of the WestSide."

Sciannameo said the initiative should be developed with WestSide residents, artists, business owners and community organizations, rather than imposed from City Hall.

"This is about investing in the people who already live and work here," Sciannameo said. "We can create an arts district that celebrates Asbury Park's history, creates jobs and business opportunities, affordable housing, that attracts visitors and, most importantly, benefits the people of the WestSide."

“We need more than more “artwashing” and just putting murals on buildings that are falling apart and uninhabitable from neglect and have no functional use. This is about genuine economic development and revitalization. “

"Economic development needs to be focused on Main Street and beyond to create more opportunity and affordable housing which is sorely needed in Asbury Park", he added.