7 Open Space Projects Seek Funding

CREST HAVEN – County Planning Director Leslie Gimeno presented seven Open Space projects to freeholders July 23. Three were Park and Recreation projects and four were Historic Preservation projects. Historic Preservation projects have cash-match requirements, according to Gimeno.
Projects were:
Park and Recreation Projects
* Hudson Avenue Pocket Park: A portion of Hudson Avenue in Wildwood is used as a municipal street, which intersects Rio Grande Avenue with a four-way traffic light. The four-way traffic light will be eliminated and a portion of Hudson Avenue will be closed and turned into public recreation, according to Gimeno.
The Doo Wop theme will be used, consistent with the rest of the design for the Rio Grande Avenue gateway project, Gimeno said.
Walking trails and six bike racks will be added, along with two benches, streetscape elements and lighting.    
Gimeno noted the area “is heavily developed with residential units and condos, and there’s literally no green space out there, so this will be a small, yet important oasis along that corridor.”
Funding recommendation is $170,211.
* Demolitions of Homes along Route 9: In 2015-2016, the county acquired six properties on Route 9, with the intent to construct a county zoo education building outside of park proper, said Gimeno. There were homes on five of the six sites.
The Facilities and Services Department “tried every way imaginable to try to get those structures reused,” said Gimeno, including putting them up for auction, where one sold.
The other homes had asbestos siding or were too big to move, she continued, with the exception of one, which has historic value, and may be incorporated into the site plan.
The other three homes were demolished this past winter, Gimeno said.
Funding recommendation is $150,000.
* Woodbine Eco-Park Phase II, III: Phase II and III of the Woodbine Eco-Park project, located behind Woodbine Elementary School and Cape May County Library seeks to continue to build on improvements from Phase I, including adding fitness stations, playground benches, picnic tables, community and rain garden, asphalt over existing gravel path, extension of bike path, lighting, signage, trailheads and trail markers.
“The idea is to turn it into outdoor classroom programming for the elementary school, but also Stockton University, which has a presence in the borough,” said Gimeno.
Open Space recommended $1.4 million funding for Phase II and III. Phase I funding was $700,000, with a project total of $2.1 million. 
Historic Preservation Projects
* Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities proposes exterior restoration of the Emlen Physick Estate, built in 1879.
Work will include restoration of damaged trim boards, reglazing of windows, repairing door to northwest porch, repainting the house, and roof restoration.
Original project cost was $103,345, with an original funding recommendation of $62,007. Modified project cost is $144,241. Additional funding recommendation is $24,538.
* Historic Cold Spring Village looks to restore and preserve Spicer Leaming House, which was built in 1820.
Work will include replacement of deteriorating foundation with brick piers, replacement of deteriorating perimeter beams, floor joists, and sagging floor boards on the first floor, and regrade and reinstall brick pavers in the front of the building.
Open Space recommended $76,800, which will be matched with $51,200 from the organization. Total project cost is $128,000.
* Naval Air Station Wildwood (NASW) in Hangar 1 at the Cape May County Airport, built in 1942, proposed a $55,050 project to replace roofing material, restore four telescopic doors, and replace five of the 16-Light windows on the doors.
Funding recommendation is $33,030 which will be matched with $22,020 from NASW.
* Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities seeks to restore the Cape May Lighthouse staircase. Gimeno said the staircase, which was built in 1859, is a 199-step spiral staircase which needs an “overhaul.”
Work to be performed includes cleaning of the staircase, inspection of angle supports, resetting supports which have shifted out of place, priming, and painting.
Total project cost is $72,725, with a funding recommendation of $43,635 and $29,090 in matching funds.
Public hearing on the projects started July 23. There is a 45-day public comment period, after which the freeholders could take action to execute the agreements and commit funds to the projects, said Gimeno.