On Oct. 29, 2012, Nick Spino watched in horror from the top of the roof of the home he has rented for 13 years in Normandy Beach as several homes in his neighborhood - including one at 209 7th Avenue - were shifted off their foundations from the current created by Superstorm Sandy.
Earlier today, Spino - who was later rescued from the roof by a friend on a kayak - looked on as that property became the first in the township demolished as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Property Debris Removal program.
Several area media and local officials gathered at Our Lady of Peace Church - located across from the demolished property - to mark what Spino called "a step forward."
Spiro noted that his neighborhood is still without certain comforts, including cable, because homes in the neighborhood have to be demolished before that type of infrastructure can be set in place. "It's time to get back," he said.
As many as 400 homes in Brick could be demolished under the program, Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis told Patch.
After some heated debate last week, the Brick council awarded a $10.8 million contract to Waterside Construction, LLC, T. Fiore Demolition as part of the PPDR program. T. Fiore was on the site doing the demolition work today.
Acropolis said that it is likely - particularly in light of the fact that the updated FEMA maps were just released recently - that the amount that is actually spent will total between $6 and $8 million.
Pete Kupper, who owns the property that was demolished told Patch, as he looked on at the work being done, "We've been lliving in this for seven months. It is time to take the next step."
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