Trump on the Ocean Rally at Jones Beach Rescheduled

The Alliance To Revitalize Jones Beach (ARJB) has rescheduled its postponed rally that was set be held last Wednesday in support of the long-stalled Trump on the Ocean catering hall project before Hurricane-turned Tropical Storm Irene through a wrench in those plans.

The ARJB has re-scheduled the rally, which will feature an appearance by real estate mogul Donald Trump, the developer of the proposed catering hall at in Wantagh, for Sept. 14 at 11 a.m. The rally, which will also be attended by numerous elected officials, will take place on the Jones Beach Boardwalk’s Central Mall flagpole near the site where Trump has planed to invest more than $30 million for the creation of a 70,000 square-foot restaurant catering facility.

The rally for the catering facility, which was fist conceived in 2006 at the site of the former Boardwalk Café but has been held up in litigation the last five years, was originally scheduled for Aug. 31. The rally was then due to the damage many Long Island residents suffered from Hurricane-turned Tropical Storm Irene last week.

“When we get Trump on the Ocean built it will be a beautiful addition to the shore line on Jones Beach,” said Rafe Lieber, founder of the ARJB. “Nassau citizens need to unite and fight against governmental red tape, which stops economic growth in the form of real estate and construction.”

Trump’s planned catering hall on the ocean first hit a snag when the New York Department of State Review Board rejected the proposal due to the plan's 26,710-square-foot basement, which they said could not be constructed in a flood plain. Trump proceeded to file multiple lawsuits for lost revenue from the project, which he had originally hoped to complete by 2009. The New York State Parks Department has said they are prepared to move forward with the project if Trump would agree to a compromise plan they approved in 2008 that would be roughly the same size but with a more limited use of the basement.

“If I am successful in having the state adhere to my few truly simple requests, I will build a magnificent structure on Jones Beach that will make all residents proud,” said Trump in a statement.

One of the staunchest opponents of the Trump on the Ocean proposal has been Garden City Park resident Patricia Friedman, a longtime civic activist, who a family-style restaurant would better for Jones Beach that an upscale catering hall. Friedman did not return calls seeking comment on the planned ARJB rally.

The ARJB by Plainview resident, Rafe Lieber, who worked as a legislative aide to former State Sen. Craig Johnston. Lieber has said he supports the project in large part due to its projection to create 300 new jobs over a two-year span once built and stimulate the economy by $60 million.

“Trump on the Ocean, which will cost taxpayers nothing, will be a welcome addition to the neighborhood and a contributor to local entities,” he said.