Draft - The National Consortium for Creative Placemaking

Draft
Overview
A Creative Placemaking Plan for Long Beach Island, New Jersey
A Creative Placemaking Plan for Long Beach Island, NJ
Draft
A creative placemaking plan for Long Beach Island,
New Jersey
Developed by Long Beach Island Arts and Culture Council, an island-wide
partnership spearheaded by the Long Beach Foundation of the Arts and
Sciences and Long Beach Township, New Jersey.
Prepared for publication by The National Consortium for Creative Placemaking.
Funding provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Geraldine R.
Dodge Foundation
On Cover:
From top to bottom, left to right.
Images courtesy of:
Ann Coen Photography
Juan Ayala
Matt Burton
Martha Kremer, Martha Kremer Art
Cathleen Engelsen
February 2014
Overview
Draft
Special thanks:
LBI-ACC members who volunteered an exceptional
amount of their time to develop the plan.
Angela Andersen, Long Beach Township
Organizations hosting LBI-ACC work sessions and public
events
Buckalew's Restaurant & Tavern
Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island
Barbara Bishop, Independent
Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and
Matt Burton, m.t.burton Gallery & 19th St. Clay Studio
Sciences
Ann Coen, Ann Coen Photography
Long Beach Township
Cathleen Engelsen LLC, Historical & Independent Artist
Ocean County Library, Long Beach Island Branch
Linda Feaster, Ocean County Library, Long Beach Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce
Island
Halley Feaster, Independent Musician
Marianne Gellman, formerly of Long Beach Island Foun
NCCP staff contributing to this plan
dation of the Arts and Sciences
Joseph Daguman, Jessica Desir, Denisse Ortiz, Mary Ann Gutchigian, Wed and Bed Event Planning
Deborah Schulze, Leonardo Vazquez
Tim Hart, Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission
Bill Hutson, Lorry's Motel
Simulations of gateway area and Long Beach
Richard Jeffries, Independent Artist and Businessman
Boulevard by Juan Ayala of Grid Design Studios
Martha Kremer, Martha Kremer Art
Bill Lawton, Surflight Theater
Cricket Luber, Wildflowers
Ken Myers, Surflight Theater
Lori Peppenella, Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce
Kristy Redford, formerly of Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences
Christine Rooney, Lighthouse International Film Festival
Christopher Seiz, formerly of Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences
Judy Smith, Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island
A Creative Placemaking Plan for Long Beach Island, NJ
Draft
Table of Contents
A guide for Reading this Plan
Introduction Executive Summary About Long Beach Island Arts and Culture Council
About Long Beach Island Today If Current Trends Continue 1
2
6
7
11
A Sustainable Vision for LBI with help of Arts and Culture 1 3
Integrating Arts and Culture into LBI's Urban Fabric 16
Implementation
19
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Image courtesy of:
Ann Coen Photography
Overview
Draft
A Guide for Reading this Plan
We have done our best to make this plan
clear, easy to understand and avoid technical language. But like the sand that follows
you back from the beach, it is hard to shake
off the jargon completely. Here are a few
technical terms that we use, and how we
define them:
Communities. For this plan, communities refers to the six municipalities on
the island; the informal but well-defined
places like Loveladies; communities of interest, such as artists and residents interested
in the island's heritage; as well as communities of sectors (such as businesses) and
practice (such as public officials).
Arts. We use it to mean goods and
activities that are created and that are valued in society for their emotional or aesthetic appeal. This includes painting, music,
theater, and also fine dining and floral arrangements. We use the term artist to refer to anyone who creates art, whether as a
profession or as a hobby. (And no, we are
not going to get into the age-old question of
'what is good art?')
Culture. This refers to the history,
shared beliefs, and customs of a community -- the things that make the community
different from others. The 'culture' part of
'arts and culture' means those people and
organizations who work to preserve and
promote the heritage and customs of LBI's
communities.
Sustainability and resilience.
These are two similar concepts that focus
on a community's ability to thrive and adapt
over the long term. Towns and other geographic communities are more sustainable
if they protect their natural environment,
enhance economic opportunity for more Community Meeting
people, and address the social needs of Image courtesy of: Leonardo Vazquez
people in the community. (It is not one or
the other -- it is all three.) Communities
are more resilient if they can adapt more
sustainably to changes in climate, population, technology or economic conditions.
Resiliency is often talked about in physical
terms -- seawalls, sand dunes, etc. But it's
as much about how a community is able to
adapt changing circumstances.
Creative placemaking. Creative
placemaking is a new way of engaging
arts and culture to address social and
economic issues facing communities. For
example, putting in public art is good creative placemaking if the public art is there
to help attract more visitors, guide people
through an area, or send a signal that the
area is welcoming to the arts.
A Creative Placemaking Plan for Long Beach Island, NJ
Community Meeting
Image courtesy of: Leonardo Vazquez
LBI residents, businesspeople,
visitors worked together throughout
2013 to develop this vision.
Draft
Introduction
This is a plan to make Long Beach Island
more sustainable and resilient through arts
and culture. It was developed by a unique
team of island residents and business people who are also artists, business leaders,
nonprofit organization executives, property
owners, and public service employees. We
aim to enhance quality of life, improve economic conditions and build a healthier climate for creative expression in ways that
are realistic, cost-effective, and protect the
best qualities of Long Beach Island.
This plan is prepare in three sections:
an overview of current conditions and trends
on LBI, as well as a discussion of the vision
guiding this plan; a discussion of proposed
strategies; and a discussion of data and
statistics used to develop this plan.
IIlustration by: Juan Ayala
Featuring artwork of: Cathleen Engelsen & Matt Burton
This illustration shows what the area around the intersection of Route 72 &
Long Beach Boulevard with arts and design improvements. The elements on
this drawing - landscaping, art fair, open-air music- were suggested by LBI
residents and members of Long Beach Island Arts and Culture Council.
A Creative Placemaking Plan for Long Beach Island, NJ
Long Beach Island Arts and Culture
Council is committed to making this vision
a reality. We will build the partnerships
throughout the island and provide the oversight to achieve the greatest benefits possible for the people of Long Beach Island.
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Draft
Executive Summary
Long Beach Island is a great place to live and play, but year-round residents are
likely to face some significant challenges over the next 10 years.
If current trends continue through 2023, Long Beach Island is likely to have fewer
stores and businesses serving year-round residents, higher property taxes, and fewer people who share a sense of community with one another. Creative people are likely to be
drawn to other areas of the Jersey Shore that are more welcoming to them. This means
more than having places to be creative; it is about having more meaningful amenities, opportunities for socializing, and culture that values their creativity and their work. Creative
professionals who find other places on the shore are likely to be followed by consumers
and tourists who enjoy arts and culture, and the businesses they tend to support.
It would not be surprising if, in the next 10 to 20 years, LBI loses several of its smaller cultural organizations and its two supermarkets either close or becomes high-priced Waves along a Long Beach Island beach
grocery stores. (LBI has already lost its stand-alone movie theaters.) Long Beach Island
Image courtesy of:
Arts and Culture Council(LBI-ACC) offers a different future.
Ann Coen Photography
Long Beach Island is known
primarily as a beach and
waterfront destination.
Viking Village
Image courtesy of:
Ann Coen Photography
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Overview
Draft
We aim to make the island a stronger and more resilient place through arts and
culture. Here is how it can happen:
The island builds a second economy as an arts and cultural destination, expanding
the season the beginning of spring to the end of fall. This can help support local businesses, encouraging them to stay open for most of the year, and keep property values high
by attracting more weekend visitors.
LBI becomes a ten-month weekend destination as well as a summer destination.
This would mean that the island has more people between Thursdays and Sundays, which
will support local businesses, arts and culture. The island will be quiet Mondays through
Wednesdays (and between December and March). This is a balanced approach that 1)
helps support more business, jobs and services throughout the year, because there are
more people on the island during the year; 2) avoids increasing the permanent population Ideas for a future arts district
IIlustration by: Juan Ayala
in an area vulnerable to storms; and 3) still provides quiet on the island, which residents
Featuring artwork of: Cathleen Engelsen
enjoy.
Municipalities, business organizations, and arts and cultural groups partner to attract and keep more dollars on the island and thus reduce costs.
There is more visible art in Long Beach Island. Murals on walls. Sculptures along the
island's main roads. Art fairs, performances and movies in more spaces. Pop-up stores.
Beach Haven, the North Beach Haven section of Long Beach Township, Barnegat Light
and other areas that would be recognized as arts destinations. Artful signage guides visitors and residents to creative, cultural and environmental attractions.
Arts and culture in LBI are more visible to residents and visitors. Online event calendars and web pages will showcase arts and culture. Local businesses and restaurants
will be encouraged to showcase more local arts. The island's governments and main marketing organizations can play a big role by promoting island arts and culture as much as
they do the beaches.
A recognized arts district along Long
Beach Boulevard can help position
the island as an arts destination.
This simulation imagines a new
plaza on Long Beach Boulevard at
Delaware Avenue. The site is now
used for parking. The drawing reflects ideas from LBI-ACC members, such as public art, decorative
crosswalks, art events and musical
performances.
Creative and cultural professionals in and around LBI come together as an arts and
culture council that will be a hub of information, networking and new ideas. This council will
also provide leadership to help this plan become a reality.
A Creative Placemaking Plan for Long Beach Island, NJ
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Draft
If LBI's communities work together to make this plan happen, it can bring many benefits to year-round residents: More things to do
throughout the year, more job and business opportunities and an island-wide transportation system to help those who can't or don't want
to drive. The island's history and cultures can be better protected, and LBI will be able to bounce back faster after natural disasters.
We all can make this happen in a way that retains LBI's best qualities and unique characteristics. We can make some places on
the island more vibrant while protecting the quiet that so many residents cherish.
We know arts and culture can be a draw for the island
Consider:
In 2013, the Surflight Theater had nearly 40,000 attendees at its main stage performances, children's
theater events and comedy nights. This is more than five times the number of year-round residents
In 2013, Lighthouse International Film Festival's attendance was 4,000. This includes those attending
screenings and film festival events. Long Beach Island does not have a move theater so films are shown
at the Surflight Theater, Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Science and other venues.
Nearly 67% of respondents to our survey said they visit LBI any time of the year. More than 57% said
that arts and culture was an important, or very important, part of their visit to LBI.
An Event at the Lighthouse International Film
Festival
Image courtesy of: Christine Rooney

LBI is in the middle of a regional effort to make the Jersey Shore a year-round arts and culture destination. MoCo Arts Corridor is encouraging people to enjoy the arts between Keyport and Manasquan.
Atlantic City has built an arts district to help attract and keep people in the area. LBI can work with
the MoCo Arts Corridor ( a creative placemaking initiative in Monmouth County) and Atlantic City
to attract more visitors outside of the summer months. It can attract the kind of cultural tourists who
may want a break from the higher energy levels of Asbury Park, Atlantic City or Red Bank.
Overview
Draft
There are a lot of opportunities to
make things better soon. LBI has two arts
institutions -- the Surflight Theater and Long
Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and
Sciences --that attract residents and visitors and connect with the island's arts community. Long Beach Township this summer
developed a shuttle service that, with the
support of other island governments, could
serve the entire island. The wide medians
along Long Beach Boulevard can hold public art and almost any wall can be a canvas
for a mural.
Some visitors who enjoy arts and
culture do come to LBI outside of summer.
The Surflight maintains a nine-month event
schedule, and the owner of an island art
gallery does more business before spring
-- when summer residents are shopping
for their furnishings -- than in the summer.
LBI has a lot of closed stores between October and March (and since Superstorm
Sandy, more vacant storefronts). These can
be used for pop-up galleries outside of the
summer. Based on the responses which
are discussed later in detail, we are confident that the cultural tourism economy on
Long Beach Island could extend from March
to November, with a short spike around the
December holidays.
Local delicacies, such as Barnegat
Image courtesy of: Kristy Redford
Light scallops, fine local restaurants, and
the national award-winning Mustache Bill's
diner, position Long Beach Island for promoting local culinary arts in addition to the
traditional art forms.
This plan is a unique opportunity for
LBI residents, businesspeople, and workers
to build the future they want to see for the
island. LBI-ACC - an island-wide group of
more than 20 creative professionals, businesspeople, nonprofit executives, elected
and appointed officials, and other residents will partner with communities, associations,
and government agencies to move quickly
from concepts to action.
A Creative Placemaking Plan for Long Beach Island, NJ
The mural at the Long Beach Island Foundation (top) is a great
example of public art that engages and reflects the community.
The mural was developed as part
of a statewide initiative to help
communities heal from the effects
of Superstorm Sandy. The foundation engaged year-round and
summer residents (opposite page
right), who helped put it together.
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Draft
About the Long Beach Island Arts
and Culture Council LBI-ACC
On an island with many groups, LBIACC is the only group in Long Beach Island
that focuses on making the island stronger
and more sustainable through arts and culture. In an island with many groups that
rarely partner with one another, LBI-AC has
residents from throughout the island, as well
as an inclusive group of leaders from the
business, arts, and government sectors.
LBI-ACC was formed in late 2012 after the Long Beach Island Foundation for the
Arts and Sciences and Long Beach Township partnered to get an Our Town grant
from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Later, the Foundation received support from
the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. The
grants were given to help LBI-ACC develop
a creative placemaking plan, and the LBI
Foundation hired The National Consortium
for Creative Placemaking as a coach and
advisor to LBI-ACC.
LBI-ACC leaders invited representatives of all the island municipalities; school
districts; and larger arts, culture and religious organizations to join LBI-ACC. Representatives of the Ocean County Cultural
and Heritage Commission also participated
in LBI-ACC, and a representative of Ocean

Image courtesy of: Kristy Redford
Image courtesy of: Kristy Redford
County College contributed at a public meet- the vision, explored and agreed on strateing.
gies, and organizing to help implement the
plan. Along the way, the team held three
Those who joined had many oppor- events to engage residents and visitors and
tunities to share their thoughts and con- conducted a survey of arts and culture pacerns. In addition to monthly worksessions, trons on Long Beach Island.
LBI-ACC members could contribute on a
shared email string and on a private Face- Some LBI residents have said in our
book page. Because LBI was still recover- surveys that they do not want the commuing from Superstorm Sandy, it was difficult nity to change. The community is likely to
for everyone to be involved as much as they change because of social, economic, politiwould have liked. This plan is designed to cal and environmental trends and pressures.
guide the continuing conversations about The overarching issue is how to best protect
LBI's future and inspire more people to join. what is good about LBI, and ensure that any
changes are for the better.
From January through November
2013, LBI-ACC developed a vision, explored
opportunities and challenges for achieving
Overview
Draft
Long Beach Island
Today
This section is meant to acquaint readers who
are not familiar with Long Beach Island
Viking Village
Image courtesy of: Ann Coen Photogra-
phy
Viking Village is both an
active fishery and a tourist
destination.
The Barnegat Lighthouse
Image courtesy of: Cathleen Engelsen
Long Beach Island is a great place for nature lovers
and history buffs. They can both enjoy the historic Barnegat
Lighthouse and the quiet woods surrounding the lighthouse.
Birders flock to the area to see annual migrations. Nearby is
Viking Village, a reminder of the Norwegian fishing families
who migrated to the island. Viking Village is both a working
fishery and an arts and crafts center. Barnegat Light scallops, which are caught nearby and processed in places like
Viking Village, are served in finer restaurants in New Jersey.
Long Beach Island is organized to be a distinct summer destination on the Jersey Shore for those who enjoy
beaches, nature and quiet. In other Jersey Shore communities, stores, booths and activities such as amusement parks
tend to be clustered along a boardwalk. LBI doesn't have
a boardwalk. Stores, restaurants and activities tend to be
spread out along the island, except for a few small clusters in
places like Beach Haven or Barnegat Light. The population
jumps from less than 7,500 most of the year to an estimated
100,000 plus between Memorial Day and Labor Day. In fact,
according to the Ocean County Department of Planning, LBI
has more seasonal units (13,700 in 2010) than year-round
residents. The economy is so dependent on summer business that many island stores close between October and
April.
The Barnegat Lighthouse
inspires artist. This artwork
is by Cathleen Engelsen
A Creative Placemaking Plan for Long Beach Island, NJ
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Draft
A ride south on Long Beach Boulevard towards Surf City and Ship Bottom
gives travelers a rare experience on the
Jersey Shore: wide swatches of trees and
greenery. Nestled between them are distinct and monumental houses. Most have
some blend of upright Victorian and open
beach architecture; more than a few evoke
the island's lighthouse with curved walls and
turreted extensions. As the traveler gets to
the center of the island, LBI becomes a mix
of a quiet suburb and beach town.
The houses off the beach tend to be
the kind of two and three-story structures
one might find elsewhere in Ocean County.
Along Long Beach Boulevard are the small,
colorful shops and cozy amusement centers
that people in the summer enjoy. Surfboards
are a common sight. In fact, Ship Bottom is
the birthplace of Ron Jon's Surf Shop, one
of the most famous surfing supply companies in the world. Its store on Route 72 is a
landmark.
LBI
CREATIVE ASSETS
Establishments by territory
Barnegat Light
Long Beach Township
Harvey Cedars Borough
Long Beach Township
Surf City Borough
Ship Bottom Borough
Long Beach Township
Beach Haven Borough
More establishments
Less establishments
Long Beach Township
With LBI getting narrower in the LBI's creative assets tend to be concentrated in Beach Haven, Ship Bottom,
southern parts of Long Beach Township and Surf City and Barnegat Light. One strategy proposed would create a new
Beach Haven, travelers often have glimpses arts district in the North Beach Haven area of Long Beach Township.
of Little Egg Harbor. The bay and ocean Fig: Denisse Ortiz
waters often host fishing boats searching
for flounder, seabass, bluefish, blackfish,
among others. Besides the hundreds of
families relaxing on LBI's beaches are surfers and surfcasters.
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Overview
Draft
While most of LBI's stores are set on strips along the island's
main road (called Long Beach Boulevard most of the way), Beach
Haven and Barnegat Light, at opposite ends of the island, have the
small clusters of stores that are often found in village crossroads. LBI
is made up of several communities. Along with the six formal municipalities are communities such as Loveladies, North Beach Haven and
Spray Beach. (These communities are part of Long Beach Island.)
Barnegat Light and Beach Haven also host the main historical
attractions on the island. Barnegat Light has the Barnegat Lighthouse
and Viking Village, while Beach Haven, has the Long Beach Island
Museum and the Museum of New Jersey Maritime History. The Long Beach Island Museum offers reminders that the island was not always a quiet beach resort -- it was an active center
of whaling and fishing, and had a boardwalk and a train line. The
New Jersey Maritime Museum is a distinct source for learning about
shipwrecks, which were common around the island during the time of
wooden ships.
There is no distinct arts 'scene' or district in LBI. The two largest arts organizations are on opposite ends of the island -- the Surflight
Theater in Beach Haven and the Long Beach Island Foundation of
the Arts and Sciences in the Loveladies section of Long Beach Township. A handful of art galleries and boutiques are peppered along the
island's main road from Barnegat Light to Beach Haven.
Creative assets inventory. For more reference please
see "creative assets table" on the statistics and data
section of the plan.
Fig: Denisse Ortiz
More common throughout the island are fine dining restaurants
and casual eateries. The Chicken or the Egg is a local landmark in
Beach Haven, while Barnegat Light has a James Beard Foundation
award-winning diner, Mustache Bill's. Several restaurants offer fresh,
local seafood, most notably Off the Hook in Viking Village. At least 17
restaurants provide live music, according to LBI Foodies.
A Creative Placemaking Plan for Long Beach Island, NJ
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Draft
What is hard to describe is the pervasive quiet and
peacefulness of the island. It is not just outside of the summer. Travelers talk about it on social media sites such as
Tripadvisor and Yelp, and several LBI residents made it clear
at public meetings for this plan that they valued the quiet times
and spaces. (One artist at a meeting connected to this plan
talked about how the quiet spaces made it easier for him to be
productive.) Visitors and residents also talk about Long Beach
Island being a place for an entire family to relax.
The arts can help protect and promote the distinct qualities of place in ways that no development or regulation can do.
A place's culture and heritage informs local arts and artists,
and their work tends to reflect the distinct qualities of place.
(Think of the Native American and Spanish colonial influences
in the Santa Fe style or, in Asheville [NC], the fine woodwork
inspired by the mountains, woods, and furniture making heritage there.) When art patrons buy a landscape painting or listen to songs connected to a place, often they are valuing more
than the creator's craft.

How can the arts help local businesses that have
nothing to do with the
arts?
The key to making local economies more prosperous is to get more money circulating in
the community. A dollar on the island that
is spent online at a business off the island is
lost, as far as the local economy is concerned.
But dollars spent at a local event or stores are
dollars that might be used to generate wealth
somewhere else on the island. Consider this:
A visitor buys an painting at a gallery; the
gallery owner uses the money to buy a sandwich at a local shop; which helps pay the waiter, who uses the money to pay for repairs from
a local contractor, and so on. Maybe the contractor doesn't care for the type of art sold in
the gallery -- but he is wealthier because of it.
Overview
Draft
If Current Trends Continue
Why should LBI's communities pursue this plan? After all, Property taxes, fees and other forms of public support are
the island continues to attract thousands of people during the sum- likely to increase for the following reasons: Wealthier people tend
mer.
to have higher expectations for public services, and may be willing
to spend more; the large number of people doing similar jobs for dif
On the surface, things look fine for many island residents. ferent municipalities means more spending than is necessary. Even
However, there are subtle, signals of future problems. The island if everyone worked well together, the coordination costs among six
has been losing population for the last three decades, and it has municipalities is high. If sea levels rise and storms become more
fewer businesses and employees. Housing has been a bright spot frequent and intense, island communities will have to spend more
- for those selling their properties - but LBI has become less afford- on infrastructure to protect residents and their property.
able, even for middle income residents.
Seasonal residents will likely continue to buy and rent properties at high prices, keeping summers busy on the island. But
more storms like Irene and Sandy, or major economic collapses,
combined with growing political sentiment against the public paying
for natural disasters -- could cause property values and rents to
drop dramatically. Retirees using their homes as nest eggs might
see the same kind of financial shock that happened when retirement portfolios plunged in the last recession.
Despite drops in population and workers on the island, LBI's
economy has been buoyed by the presence of 'mass affluent'
households (those with incomes of at least $75,000). However, the
median age of LBI's year-round population is in the high 50s. As
people retire, their spending often drops. Over time, more of their
spending is likely to be done online (which means fewer dollars
spent on the island.) This can lead to fewer and/or more expensive
stores and services. Over time, this could make LBI less attractive
to consumers and residents, who want a diversity of amenities and
have the money to find them elsewhere.
A Creative Placemaking Plan for Long Beach Island, NJ
Between 1990 and 2010, the island's population
dropped by 13.5%. During that time, the total population
of Ocean County grew by more than 30%.
Fig: Denisse Ortiz
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Draft
It may be that the state and federal government will pay for
some of these infrastructure improvements. But, the more that LBI
is seen as a seasonal playground for the wealthy, the harder it will
be to make the case for subsidies to the island.
When disasters like Sandy strike, communities can depend
as much on neighbors supporting one another as they do services
from outside. What is most important is how people connect with
each other than their homes. This defines who and what their community is. The more that LBI becomes a 'seasonal' place, or one
where most people see their property as a luxury, the fewer people
there are to be stewards of the island and its communities. Those
people who come to LBI just to go to the beach or 'get away from it
all' are more likely to go to other places if they don't have a strong
attachment to the island.
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Overview
Draft
A Sustainable Vision for LBI
Imagine it is the year 2024
y
Ar
Culture Econ
&
om
ts
Beach
December
November
October
August
September
July
June
May
April
February
January
The Sandpaper has significantly expanded its coverage of arts and cultural activities, and the municipalities on the island
are collaborating to promote to support the
efforts recommended by the Long Beach Island Arts and Culture team back in 2013.
There have been more visitors from
the New York and Philadelphia metro areas. Since 2013, there has been a growing
number of activities and amenities, including arts and music festivals, a weekend long
film festival, an artists studio tour, and more
public art.
More artists have moved to LBI,
where they are a part of the cultural landscape and can take advantage of the inspiration and opportunities LBI affords.
March
Economy
Long Beach Island is a 10-monthround destination for arts and culture. It has
an active and influential arts council that is
an information and networking hub for artists and cultural professionals, as well as
the main source of information for residents
and tourists interested in arts and culture. Creating a second economy on Long
Other organizations are also promoting arts Beach Island
and culture on LBI.
Fig: Denisse Ortiz
Halley Feaster, an LBI resident and
member of LBI-AC, is a professional
cellist.
Fewer residents, fewer
stores, fewer employees
and relying on a summer
economy puts LBI at
risk -especially if there
is another big storm.
Why would a smaller population lead to fewer and more expensive stores?
Imagine that you own a fruit and vegetable
stand on Long Beach Island. You know that
you have to sell your apples, bananas and
lettuce within a few days, or you won't be
able to make up the money that you paid to
your distributor. The more people there are
in an area, the more likely that someone will
buy the produce before they spoil. If there are
fewer and fewer residents and workers on the
island, your two smartest choices are to increase the cost of your produce (so you can
afford to throw out some bad apples), or close
down.
Image courtesy of: Halley Feaster
A Creative Placemaking Plan for Long Beach Island, NJ
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Draft
While arts and cultural activities are
spread the length of the island from Holgate to
Barnegat Light, residents and visitors don't have
to worry about finding parking. There is a trolley
or jitney that goes from one attraction to another
as well as to the mainland and back. There are
also plans and strategies in the works to attract
more museums and at least one movie theater,
develop a Main Street organization, and bring
more long-term visitors who enjoy arts and culture.
Possible future jitney / trolley lines and stops
Viking Village
Long Beach Island Foundation
of the Arts & Sciences
In achieving these results, community
and organization leaders put a high priority on
three guiding principles:
• Value all forms of arts
• Involve resident and business owners in
making choices
• Promote events and activities that benefit
the entire island
Leaders also work hard to value many
kinds of diversity (age, income and cultural), be
collaborative and promote habits of collaboration
among municipalities and celebrate the island's
history. Leaders are also mindful that choices
provide year-round benefits to communities, are
realistic, and protect the environment. When
possible, leaders also work to promote the island's musical and culinary heritage and provide
clear guidance to anyone engaged in creative
placemaking on LBI.

Barnegat Lighthouse
Transportation Hub
Line 1
Line 2
Line 3
Possible Future
Art District
Long Beach Island
Museum
Surflight Theater
Edwin B. Forsythe
Natural Wildlife Refuge
This image provides some ideas about where jitney lines could run and
stop on LBI, as imagined in the LBI-ACC vision. The final locations of
routes, numbers of stops should be part of an island-wide transportation
plan.
Fig: Denisse Ortiz
Overview
Draft
How arts and culture can help Long Beach Island be more
sustainable and resilient
Economic development
• Create jobs, either directly (in arts and culture organizations) or indirectly (in nearby stores and restaurants)
• Help local economies rebound after disasters
• Generate wealth and expand markets through cultural tourism
• Retain more dollars in a community
• Diversify the local economy
• Attract new residents and investment
• Help municipalities get more points for Sustainable Jersey certification
• Improve property values
Community and social development
•
•
•
•
•
•
Build stronger connections among people
Help people become more creative, and better able to resolve problems
Engage youth and help them do better in school
Enhance a sense of pride in place
Give residents and visitors more things to see, do, and experience
Promote more confidence in rebuilding and revitalization efforts because some arts and cultural activities
can be done quickly and with little cost
Environmental protection and cultural development
• Make people more aware of the quality and distinctiveness of their environment
• Promote local histories and culture
A Creative Placemaking Plan for Long Beach Island, NJ

Draft
Integrating Arts and Culture into the
Fabric of Long Beach Island
East 24th Street and Long
Beach Boulevard
Recent Conditions
Before and After Illustra
North Bay Ave/Taylor
Avenue Beach Haven
Recent Conditions
This photo illustrations show how even simple art
projects - such as murals or sculptures - can have big
impacts on the look and feel of a place. The illustration
are for conversation only and do not represent recommendations on context or location. Any artwork placed
on private property must have the consent of property
owners.
As it could be
Illustration by: Juan Ayala
Based on art work from LBI artists
ART GALLERY
MUSEUM
*ForAs
illustration
purposesbe
only* Location: North Bay Ave/Taylor Avenue Beach Haven
it could
Illustration by: Denisse Ortiz

Overview
Draft
This illustration shows
how the area near Route 72
and Long Beach Boulevard
could be redesigned if LBI's
communities committed to
this plan. Even though the
land at the left is slated for
commercial development, a
small area could be reserved
for arts activities. This would
actually help bring more
customers to any retail business or restaurant developed
there. This illustration is for
conversation only. There are
no plans as of now to design
the area this way. Making
this and similar improvements in the gateway area
of the island a reality would
require the shared support of
property owners, Ship Bottom
government, and county and
state agencies.
Intersection of Route 72 & Long Beach
Boulevard Recent Conditions
Scenario 1: Landscaping and Urban Equipment.
By: Juan Ayala
Scenario 2: Art Fair
By: Juan Ayala
Featuring art work by: Cathleen Engelsen
Matt Burton
A Creative Placemaking Plan for Long Beach Island, NJ

Draft
Intersection E24th St. & Long Beach Boulevard
Recent Conditions
These illustrations show how spaces in Long Beach
Island can be made more vibrant with road and
sidewalks improvements, public art, spaces for arts
and cultural activities, an of course, the people who
produce and appreciate arts and culture.
Long Beach Boulevard near Tidal Dr. Looking South
Recent Conditions

As it could be
Illustration by: Denisse Ortiz
Based on art work from LBI artists
As it could be
Illustration by: Denisse Ortiz
Overview
Draft
Implementation
Governments, artists, businesspeople, residents and community
organization leaders can each play a role in implementing this plan.
Governing bodies (such as a borough council) can support the plan
in several ways. First, the governing body can approve a resolution
supporting the plan and encouraging the local planning board to
incorporate it into the municipality's master plan. This will demonstrate to the public that the community supports the arts. Governing
bodies can also, by resolution, support the work of LBI-ACC and
partner with the group to help implement initiatives in their towns.
An important role for local officials would be to serve as liaisons between LBI-ACC and other government entities or property owners.
Planning board can incorporate this plan into their master plans in
several ways. Portions of this plan could be incorporate into the
statement of goals as well as the recreation and economic elements
of a master plan. (The goals of this plan are complementary to the
goals of the master plans of the island's six communities.) This entire plan could be added as an amendment to the master plan as a
technical report under NJSA 40:55D-28.B.11
Cultural and creative professionals, businesspeople and residents
can help implement portions of the plan by supporting or volunteering with LBI-ACC.
A Creative Placemaking Plan for Long Beach Island, NJ
LBI residents, businesspeople, visitors worked together
throughout 2013 to develop this vision.
Image courtesy of: Leonardo Vazquez

Draft
The next section of this plan focuses
on strategies to achieve the vision.
The wide-ranging set of strategies
includes physical improvements to
Long Beach Island, enhancing the
presence of arts and culture on the
island, and building leadership and
capacity to implement these and other strategies.
While this plan provides focus and
direction for creative placemaking
on the island, it is not meant to be
the last word. Just the opposite: This
plan is meant to help an ongoing
conversation about how to make LBI
a better place for arts and culture,
and a better place /through /arts and
culture.
Anyone who is concerned about the
future of LBI should feel free to contribute and add to the plan. If you like
the ideas presented here, help make
them happen. If you feel something
is missing, let LBI-ACC know. If
there is something you don't like,
share your concerns with LBI-ACC.

Overview
Draft
February 2014