Owners of New Jersey's Casino Pier were given a state permit to allow the reconstruction of the portion of the pier and the relocation of the Sky Ride, a spokesman for New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) told the Asbury Park Press.
The Storino family, owners of the Casino Pier, is now awaiting the approval of Seaside Heights Borough's application for the land swap.
The Asbury Park Press adds that the approval of the land swap application is critical for the construction, as the borough would be swapping 1.3 acres of its public beach on the north side of the pier for properties owned by the Storino family, including the historic Dr. Floyd L. Moreland Denzel/Loof Carousel.
George R. Gilmore, attorney for the Seaside Heights Borough, told the Asbury Park Press that the Storino family doesn't want to rebuild the pier the way it was before the storm, far out into the ocean.
"They would rather rebuild on the beachfront land if the swap is approved," he said.
Larry Hajna, spokesman for the DEP, told the Asbury Park Press, that they have granted the owners of Casino Pier the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act (CAFRA) permit, a permit that will allow them to reconstruct a 225-foot by 266-foot section of the Casino Pier and to relocate the Sky Dive 160 feet to the north of its current location.
Gilmore adds that borough officials hope the DEP can make a decision shortly regarding the land swap proposal, according to the Asbury Park Press.
"If we're going to get the pier built by next summer, which is crucial to everybody, it has to start soon," he said.
Casino Pier was badly damaged in 2012 by Hurricane Sandy.
The NJ.com adds that the Casino Pier reopened in October of 2012 and has been adding rides and attractions ever since.
The expansion is also expected to add a replacement for the Jet Star roller coaster, according to NJ.com.
Casino Pier's Jet Star roller coaster was dumped into the ocean during the hurricane.
NJ.com added that it was pulled out of the water on May 2013.
