TOMS RIVER, NJ – The deteriorating Toms River Boatworks, severely damaged during Superstorm Sandy and left in disrepair for years, has been demolished. Mayor Dan Rodrick and the township council voted to purchase and tear down the structure after learning that developers were interested in the property, potentially for a large waterfront apartment complex. This decision followed the collapse of plans for a banquet hall under former Mayor Maurice Hill’s administration.
After his election last year, Mayor Rodrick and the township council moved forward with purchasing the building.
“There was no way to restore the building as it had sat abandoned since Superstorm Sandy when it was flooded. It was far beyond repair,” Rodrick stated. “Instead, we will create a boatworks waterfront village where folks can come downtown, enjoy the beautiful view, have a drink, have a meal, with live music entertainment events—similar to the 9th Avenue Pier in Belmar.”
Rodrick emphasized his goal to preserve the waterfront from large-scale development, enhance the downtown area, and protect the village from being transformed into a densely populated urban space.
“We don’t need high-rise apartments for downtown Toms River to thrive,” Rodrick said. “The walk between Huddy Park, the Boatworks, the River Lady, and nearby restaurants is what our residents have told us they prefer—not ten-story twin towers.”
The mayor is exploring the possibility of a beer garden-style venue with vendor booths that could be rented by local artists, restaurants, and other businesses. He mentioned that the township might issue liquor-selling permits to local restaurants already holding state liquor licenses.
“This is the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Toms River as most of us on the council are united in stopping overdevelopment in our town and to preserve our remaining open spaces,” said Council President Justin Lamb. “We all share the mayor’s vision and plan to preserve the charm and character of Downtown Toms River.”
“This is a proud moment in Toms River history. This is the future,” said Councilman Craig Coleman, who led the Boatworks acquisition as Council President. “We share the mayor’s vision for our downtown district, and that vision does not include high-rise apartments, traffic, congestion, or unnecessary overdevelopment. That’s why voters elected us—to improve the town without catering to North Jersey developers.”
Currently, there is no timeline for the redevelopment of the former Boatworks site, but Mayor Rodrick expressed hope to initiate the project soon.
Though often considered a historic structure, the Toms River Boatworks is not officially designated as such. While its origins trace back to 1919, township records indicate that the original building was demolished and rebuilt in the 1960s.
Founded in 1919 by Anthony Irons and Captain Ben Asay, the Toms River Boatworks began as a wooden boat-building facility. Equipped with two marine railways providing direct access to the Toms River, the site supported boat construction, launches, and repairs, serving both commercial fishermen and recreational boaters.
In the 1970s, Lance and Mary Chambeau purchased the property. They initially continued boat-building operations but soon shifted to buying and selling used powerboats, rebranding it as the “Toms River Boat Works Marina.” This transition marked the property’s evolution into a marina and sales business.
The Chambeau family sold the property in 1987 after 15 years of ownership. Following the sale, the site underwent various uses but deteriorated significantly, especially after Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The storm caused severe damage, and the building was left largely abandoned, suffering from neglect and environmental decay.
Between 2020 and 2022, redevelopment discussions involved Capodagli Property Co. LLC, which was designated as the redeveloper for the surrounding area. Plans included demolishing the Boatworks building to make way for commercial projects like a parking deck, restaurants, or retail spaces. However, these plans never advanced, leaving the property in limbo. Ultimately, demolition was inevitable, whether by the township or a developer.
In 2023, the future of the Boatworks property became a key issue during local elections. Debates arose over whether to preserve the site or replace it with modern development. Then-Councilman Daniel Rodrick strongly opposed high-density development downtown, a stance credited with his decisive election victory.
In 2024, under Mayor Rodrick’s administration, Toms River officials approved the $1.85 million purchase of the Boatworks property, including demolition costs. The plan focuses on transforming the area into a “seaport-themed village,” diverging from earlier large-scale redevelopment proposals. Environmental studies showed no significant risks, though some controversy surrounded the purchase. Councilman David Ciccozzi criticized the township for overpaying and lacking a clear post-demolition plan.