A bit of fog, but warmer temps…
Funny conversation with a summer property owner the other day about life here in the winter.  He said his thermostat in his car read 45 degrees. Yet  to him, it felt like 20 degrees with the dampness!  And that’s not even factoring in the wind 😉
Yes, I had a flu shot. So I hoped to be immune from the bronchitis, flu, and viruses traveling through family and coworkers. Oh, well…
Yes, I’m still walking on the beach. Taking deep breaths of healing salt air…with the occasional coughing fit.
Yes, the seagulls appear annoyed by my hacking cough. Â Fortunately, there aren’t many humans on the beach in Janaury to disturb!
Yes, I expect to be better before our busy (and warm!) weekend.
This is my ideal winter weather- bright sun and calm winds!
As reported in today’s The Press of Atlantic City , the dredge is actively pumping sand on the beaches of Avalon.  Beaches from 9th Street through 25th Street will be restored- with completion expected (weather permitting) by the end of January.
The dredge will then travel to Fire Island,New York for a replenishment project there. And then return to Stone Harbor for the next phase of the island-wide beach fill.
In Stone Harbor, the beaches from 92nd Street through 114th Streets, and from 119th Street to just south of the 123rd Street beach entrance will receive new sand. Â Both communities will benefit from newly planted dune grass, dune fencing, and restored handicap beach entrances. By contract, the entire project MUST be completed by May 23rd.
In the meantime, public works employees in Stone Harbor are shoring the dunes with piles of sand to avoid further damage.
All good news for our 2013 season!
Day trip to New York City yesterday. Â Sensory over load compared to my normal day to day life (this time of year, the roar of the ocean sounds loud to me!)
We had breakfast at The Plaza Hotel, walked a bit through Central Park, and then down along Fifth Avenue.  Our stop at Rockefeller Plaza included the observation deck of Top of the Rock- amazing views!  Then on to Times Square and the  main purpose of our visit: the show Wicked (so clever and entertaining- loved it!)
Off to a nice start for our first weekend back in the office after the holiday 🙂
P.S. Â My view this morning included the dredge in position off of 8th Street in preparation of the island-wide beach fill project. Â Good news!
1) Renovated stores and restaurants: unfortunately, many were forced to remodel because of Sandy. Â Hoy’s 5 & 10 in Avalon is cleared out in preparation of the necessary repairs. Â Marabella’s in Stone Harbor will have a new look by early spring. Â And of course, Avalon residents anxiously await the re-opening of Wawa!
2) Roadway repairs: the damaged section of Ocean Drive on the Avalon side of the Townsends Inlet Bridge is scheduled to be repaired in March. First Avenue in Stone Harbor- drainage work continues to allow for the eventual removal of the pipes along the beach.
3) Beaches: the island is so fortunate- a beach fill project was scheduled even before Sandy. The dredge is in place, and the dredging company employees are preparing for the arrival of the heavy equipment. Â Damaged dunes will be restored, and our beaches will be in great shape for the 2013 summer season.
4) The Bank of America building on 96th Street and Second Avenue will be demolished to make way for a new Stone Harbor Public Library.
5) The Reeds Hotel & Spa is expected to open this summer. Construction continues daily at 96th Street and Third Avenue.
I enjoyed the New Year’s Eve sunrise (pictured)…and look forward to many more in 2013!
What’s selling in Avalon and Stone Harbor?
A total of 370 properties SOLD on the island last year; with an overall median selling price of $900,000.
Of those sold, 218 were single family homes, ranging from a low of $425,000 (cottage on Bower Court in Stone Harbor), to a high of $6,600,000 (ocean front “tear down” on an over sized lot in Stone Harbor).  The median selling price of all single family homes: $1,312,500.
There were 120 condo/townhouse style units sold, ranging from $179,500 (condo/hotel at the Beachcomber in Avalon), to $1,300,000 (ocean front side by side unit on 28th Street in Avalon).
Trends for 2013? Â New construction continues to be a popular choice. Â And modern updates in existing homes are appreciated (new kitchen, baths, etc.).
If you would like additional information regarding property values in Avalon or Stone Harbor, please let me know.  I appreciate the opportunity to help!
Raining…again
Lost track of the days without sun…
There is some hype of “shore” snow later today. Â I saw a few Borough trash trucks with snow plows attached to the front…we’re ready 🙂
Construction work has started at the Avalon Wawa (this is REALLY big news around here!). Â Pudgie Pelican has closed for the season, with renovations underway. Â Uncle Bill’s in Stone Harbor is expanding into the adjacent retail shop- more seating for 2013!
The beach fill project in Avalon continues- with an end of January completion expected.