Freehold still adjusting to absence of landmark

CHRIS KELLY staff A hole in the ground is all that remains of the oldest section of the American Hotel, Freehold Borough.

FREEHOLD - The price of progress sometimes brings with it a double-edged sword and sometimes that price tag includes excitement and sadness. The AmericanHotel is a case in point.

The oldest part of the structure that was a pivotal part of Freehold Borough's downtown hub for almost two centuries was razed in order to fulfill the hotel's original purpose- to be the focal point of the county seat as it had once been a long time ago.

Bringing the hotel to life again was always the goal of the property's new owner, Steve Goldberg.And that goal is still in the plan- only the plan ran into a glitch along with way.

The time-worn neglected building did not withstand the test of time as well as those involved, including Goldberg and Freehold Borough code enforcement officer Hank Stryker III, originally thought it had.

There was no real way to know just how bad the situation was until the actual interior renovation work began, according to Stryker and Goldberg.

Goldberg's plan was to renovate the 180- year-old building and to bring it back to life as a hotel and other uses.

Stryker previously explained that when the interior finishings were removed, it was discovered that the second and third floors of the hotel could not be saved. There was some question about the ability to salvage the first floor of the buildingwhere a restaurant was located, but upon closer inspection, according to Stryker, that, too, had to go.

And so it was that the oldest part of the American Hotel came down a few weeks ago.Anyone observing the giant hole in the landscape of EastMain Street that now exists will need to use their imagination to visualize the new building Goldberg has on the drawing board- a building he said will resemble the old hotel as closely as possible.

Lee Ellen Griffith is the executive director of the Monmouth County Historical Association, which has its headquarters on Court Street in the borough. She said, "The American Hotel has always been a part of the streetscape in Freehold. I only hope that aspect of the borough is not going to be lost."

Mayor Michael Wilson tried to look on the positive side when he said it will be a "glorious day when we see the hotel rise fromits ashes."He said it was "grand to see progress at work," then added, "Sometimes some things just cannot be saved."

Themayor said borough officials have a great deal of faith and trust in Goldberg, who purchased the hotel at public auction almost two years ago.

"He's always been a straight shooter with us, right from the beginning," Wilson said.

The American Hotel, so much a part of what people associate with the borough's downtown, was owned and operated by a Freehold family for almost a century.

The circa 1824 hotel, with its Greek Revival/ Italianate style and its several additions, was in the Daesener family for more than 90 years before it was sold several years ago to a group of businessmen who let the neglect begin amid a host of financial problems. August Daesener, who operated the hotel with his brother, Richard, for many years, said he and his brother are glad now that some needed attention has been given to the landmark.

"It's inspired conversation by all the attention now, and that's a good thing. We certainly wish thatMr. Goldberg does very, very well," Daesener said. "All of a sudden it will get done and the hotel will be replaced and once again become a centerpiece, the way it once was."

Daesener said watching the razing of the building was not easy for the family. Calling the experience "very emotional" and "very upsetting," he said the previous owners who let the neglect run rampant in the building "destroyed my father's life work."

"But life moves on, and hopefully new people will embrace what Mr. Goldberg is going to do," Daesener said.

- Clare Marie Celano