U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Manasquan Mayor Richard Dunn announced a grant that will provide $108,000 in funding for restoration of the historic Manasquan Coast Guard Station. The $108,000 grant follows a $32,000 Historic Trust Preservation grant Smith helped the borough receive last year to provide for the architectural work that has to be completed before the structure is restored. 

    Smith, who has long been involved with the restoration project, “The new funding provided by this grant, along with the earlier Historic Trust Preservation grant, will enable the restorative reconstruction work that is so badly needed to begin at the former United States Coast Guard Station.” Plans call for restoring the Duluth Type Life-Saving Station, built in 1902, into a central community meeting area and a maritime museum that will focus on Manasquan’s rich maritime heritage. 

    Mayor Dunn said, “preserving the Coast Guard Station as a continuous reminder of the heritage of historic life saving and coast guard efforts along the Jersey shore is a priority for Manasquan.” Manasquan will be restoring the station so it will be eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

    “I am confident this restoration project will prove to be an excellent example of a multipurpose facility, providing residents with a year round meeting place and a historic destination point for Manasquan’s seasonal tourists,” said Smith. The former United States Coast Guard Station was deeded to Manasquan Borough on July 25, 2000, by the federal government for one dollar. Unfortunately, it was in a state of disrepair. Along with some physical problems caused by water damage, the station had several environmental issues, including asbestos. Dunn said, “this grant will allow us to clean up the asbestos and other environmental problems and stabilize the building so that we can begin to move forward with the rehabilitation of the structure.” 

    The Manasquan Coast Guard Station, located on its original site, was known as the Squan Beach Life-Saving Station when it housed volunteers and equipment that served to save victims of shipwrecks off the coast. It became part of the US Coast Guard system in the 1930’s. “The restored Coast Guard Station will serve as a focal point for New Jersey, Monmouth County, and Manasquan’s rich maritime heritage,” said Smith. 

    Manasquan Mayor Richard Dunn and Representative Smith will continue to work on obtaining additional funding for the Coast Guard Station restoration project.