TELL US: Should Long Branch Buy Historic Bruce Springsteen House?
Cottage where musician wrote "Born to Run" is up for sale
The Asbury Park Press reported today that the Long Branch home where Bruce Springsteen wrote some of his biggest hits such as "Born to Run" is up for sale.
The cottage, located at 71/2 West End Court, has five rooms, two bedrooms and one bath and is on the market for $349,900, according to the article.
Real estate agent Susan McLaughlin of Keller Williams Realty agreed in the article that the the purchase of the house by city to convert it into a music heritage destination would be a great use of the property.
We want to know, do you like the idea of the city buying the house and turning into a museum?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
Felix McNamara
2:34 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
He's a dirt bag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DDPUG
8:45 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
I agree - and who cares - it's not worthe the inconvenience and expense to the citizens of LB.
Hannah M
9:36 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Please explain. While he has his faults like me, you and everyone else, I would not think to describe him as a dirt bag. So, please explain.
NJFoodie
3:03 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
The city doesn't want to buy it? Not surprising... the Long Branch Police arrested Bob Dylan 3 years ago!
Thenews
6:49 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Check your facts, Bob Dylan was not arrested, just stopped. A waste of money for a town that lays off cops and has an increasing crime problem.
Tom
3:35 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
This whole thing is stupid. I'm a huge Bruce fan but why do we need to celebrate anything associated with Bruce?
Sharon
3:57 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
There are many Springsteen fans all over the country; they would pay to go to a museum that honors him. It would be a money-making decision for Long Branch if they bought it as long as they have the funds to invest in the property as well as the purchase of Springsteen items. Most artists will donate or loan their stuff to museums. I say do it!
Dominick Palermo
6:16 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Sharon ---it wouldnt last a week ------ it would lose money and be a burden on the city
Charles Bruns
4:33 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
I agree that, if the purchase of the former Bruce Springsteen home would attract visitors to Long Branch, generate revenue to pay for itself over time, and help cafes, restaurants and other businesses in West End, the city should consider purchasing it. But, let's be realistic. It's a small house and might have a lot less appeal to tourists than Graceland!
Sharon
8:28 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
LOL.....I see your point; however, I do believe that it would create revenue if done right.
Peter Koenig
4:42 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Ambivalence ... his music is not to my taste, and LB's real estate taxes are very high ... but if the City can make some money on this, and reduce the tax burden, then maybe? But ... traffic? Crowds? Noise? Parking? House isn't in a commercial area? He lived there for two years? It's tiny? The balance tips against it.
Susan McLaughlin
1:56 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013
The house is located in a commercial zone, the C-3 Neighborhood zone, which allows a very wide range of uses: restaurants, banks, offices, bars and gas stations, as seen along Brighton and Ocean Avenues. There is a parking lot directly across the street. Crowds? Probably not.
Dominick Palermo
6:15 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
HELL NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Fred M
6:51 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Let Bruce Springsteen buy it..If This house is sentimental to The Boss then I am sure he would buy it so it would never be demolished. I remember years ago when The Stone Pony was Closed for a Short Time..Everyone was saying that We must save this Icon because Bruce made it famous..We can't ever let it be demolished. Again, if The Stone Pony was so important then why didn't Bruce Buy it?
Robert Farmer
7:12 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
I agree with Sharon above........that if done properly Bruce Springsteen's house could bring in some revenue to the area. Most of the bosses fans are 'boomers' so trouble and crowd noise shouldn't be an issue. As I recall, didn't Bruce Springsteen come to the aid of the Jersey shore immediately with a benefit concert that raised millions of dollars to help everyone. I think Bruce Springsteen is an asset to New Jersey!
Kathy English
8:39 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
A Museum is nice to show and use for kids today what great History the Jersey Shore has, but just cause one song was written their shouldn't be based on that we had alot of good famous people here and Presidents that it could showcase in a museum. Bruce lives in my Great Aunt & Uncle House now.If anything is or will be done based on Bruce it should be in Freehold where he was from and went to school.
Cheryl Natale
9:18 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
No he should donate it !!!!
jerry kadash
10:35 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
I agree with Cheryl. The city doesn't have the money to splurge on something like this, especially in this physical crisis, and with Sandy. Bruce, and his recording company Thrill Hill, certainly can afford this gift back to the community...now is the time, especially in a situation like this that benefits his legacy, to step up, and "say" thank you, glad I can help!
Jon Rakestraw
10:39 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
I have worked for him. Very nice guy. Not a dirt bag! I have met people from all over the world who vacation is Asbury because of him. The house would probably make money for the town.
Susan McLaughlin
2:04 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013
I actually did not suggest that the City of Long Branch buy the house, the reporter suggested it and said that he had presented the idea to Mayor Schneider. I agreed that it was a great use for the house, but felt it would be difficult for the city after the enormous expense following the storm.
NJFoodie
1:01 am on Sunday, February 24, 2013
It's interesting how the storm is used as an excuse for almost anything by city officials. Let's hope tax payers will keep that in mind whenever they will ask us to pay for the Pier and the Ferry project, which will certainly be swept away by the next ... storm!
LSNative
8:21 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
So goes the Patch the way of the Springsteen Park Press which has some gushing mention of Springsteen in every single edition.
The hero-worship is over-the-top and inappropriate as far as I'm concerned considering his reputation as an adulterer and major tax-dodger (which is truly ironic as he lectures us on paying our "fair share."
But to the star-struck Springsteen zombies, he is forgiven.
Linda levy
3:31 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Absolutely against purchase! No benefit to city.
rocco chic
8:25 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
From a Historical music standpoint the house is Important.It is foolish to call Bruce a dirt bag.I do not agree with his politics however he is An Iconic Music figure throughout the world .Who happens to come from New Jersey.This part of NJ.Be proud ,he has done so much in a quiet humble way.(I cant stand his Politics) His music is White soul Rock rooted and can not be denied.Influenced by these many integrated areas around the shore.Inspired to write many great tunes in this house.Bruce shows the World at 25years old his Love for Music and his desire to get up and grow up .He has not stopped up to this point.He does not preach drugs ,hate,he is human ,he has faults,and he should be honored locally.He is top ten record sales.Did I say (I cant stand his politics).Bruce himself will never want statues in streets or Museums in his neighborhood, but if something like this house preserved in an a way to inspire Musicians, writers and poets of the future to understand you don't have to come from money or royalty to achieve your dreams then private donors should get together and preserve this piece of Rock n roll history. This is not about Politics!