The seaside community that inspired the name of Bruce Springsteen’s first studio album, “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.,” is no stranger to adversity. There were the race riots in 1970 and a depressed local economy throughout the ’80s, when lifelong residents say it felt like the world had forgotten their historic architecture and white beaches.
Now, after Superstorm Sandy touched down in the longtime tourist destination a year ago today, some locals are hoping to say farewell to the hard times for good.