I heard some prominent restauranteurs from Asbury Park bought a bunch of commercial property there.  

I started as an Architect Major but after a year switched into Business Management because the life style was more for me..plus I was not a very good architect lol.During my time at Philadelphia University I furthered my Soccer Referee Career (I have been a referee since I was 13) and because President of the Sigma Nu Chapter at my school. 

If anyone in the area can recommend a contractor or architect Id appreciate it.

But for a $200,000+ gut rehab, or a ground up development, you're going to have to go with a GC and an architect. 

thank you all. it's awesome that you guys are out there and willing to share your knowledge.i am already listening to the podcasts. they are amazing. and will definitely check out the books and meetings you recommended @Paul Timmins.i have also added development to my alerts @Joe Cantanzriti. let's keep in touch for sure.i did do real estate development classes as part of my degree. i've always been interested in it. architects don't make nearly enough money for the amount of work they put in. 

The city will need plans, blueprints and possibly a variance to give you formal approval/issue permits (that's the part that the contractor and/or architect handles) but if you can give them a general idea of what you have in mind they should be able to at least tell you whether its feasible or not.   

I have done a couple deals with a partner where we bought a lot or multiple adjacent lots, worked with an architect to entitle the property for development, then flipped the fully entitled property to a larger developer.

Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Ohio areas seem to be the most prominent ones, due to pricing.  

This sentiment is actually coming from an emerging group of community-based nonprofits, architects, city planners, and community developers, who see the value of using real estate to development to better their communities by literally shaping and rebuilding them.

Architect's plans perhaps changed only once $8000  loan costs $15000  sale commission $27000 and title/sale costs $3000 = $203000 Are there comparable sales for $456000 in same proximity?