Seaside Heights, NJ, USA — Casino Pier, the cherished oceanfront amusement park whose boardwalk and pier were dismantled by October 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, has hired JRA (Jack Rouse Associates) to provide master planning and programming services for Phase I of a two-phase rebuilding effort.
Originally opened in 1960, Casino Pier housed 38 rides, as well as a rooftop miniature golf course, concessions stands and boardwalk games. JRA worked closely with the Casino Pier owners on the proposed master plan, which calls for the boardwalk and pier to retain those rides that were salvaged after the hurricane, including the Disk’O ride, Skyscraper ride, Pirate’s Hideaway coaster, Sky Ride chair lift and several treasured kiddie rides. Casino Pier is using this opportunity to update its ride mix with new family attractions and to refresh food, beverage and retail outlets. Phase I, consisting of the boardwalk and pier’s lower deck, is scheduled to open Memorial Day Weekend 2013, with the Phase II upper deck following a year later.
JRA has a long relationship with the Jersey Shore, having completed previous projects at Keansburg Amusement Park, Morey’s Piers in Wildwood and Jenkinson’s in Pt. Pleasant. “We’ve always enjoyed working on projects along the Jersey Shore,” says JRA Senior Project Designer, Jeff Lichtenberg. “The property owners are passionate people that care a great deal about the entertainment business they have devoted their lives to. Generations have lived, worked in and built these places. There is so much history, so many memories made.”
“Casino Pier is excited about working with JRA in the rebuilding of the pier,” said Vincent Storino, Owner of Casino Pier. “Eventually Casino Pier is going to be bigger and better! That’s what we do on the Jersey Shore. We fight and we come back. This is an opportunity for us to re-imagine our property. We look forward to being able to maintain the traditions our guests are used to while also incorporating a new, fresh design and bringing new innovative concepts from JRA to life on Casino Pier.”
Casino Pier is located at 800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, New Jersey, USA. For more information on Casino Pier, please visit www.casinopiernj.com.
