Cape May Awaiting CAFRA Permit for Convention Hall

CAPE MAY — “How are things coming along with building a new convention hall?”
That’s the topic of conversation in Swain’s Hardware, the Acme and other Cape May gathering spots as of late.
Mayor Edward J. Mahaney, Jr. updated the Herald Tuesday about the work in progress. He said on April 8, Aislinn Gandy, an environmentalist with Fralinger Engineering, who prepared a CAFRA (Coastal Area Facilities Review Act) Permit for the new convention hall with City Manager Bruce MacLeod, traveled to Trenton to meet with land use personnel at the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The CAFRA permit application was formally submitted at that time.
Mahaney said the project is in a 30-day public comment period for any environmental concerns. DEP will review the application and reply to the city with any questions or concerns.
“We are moving ahead with this,” he said. “This is the major hurdle that the city has to overcome in terms of getting the necessary permits and approvals to begin the demolition of the existing hall and the construction of the new convention center.”
Mahaney said demolition would not start until after Labor Day. He said the final design for construction purposes is continuing during the permitting process.
The mechanical, structural and civil engineers are continuing their work and meeting with the city, the mayor said.
In a best-case scenario, construction of the new hall could begin in October with a completion date in late 2010, Mahaney said
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He said the Solarium, which is in the footprint of the new hall, would not be demolished. Mahaney said the city continues to dialog with DEP about moving the building to another spot on the beach, which involves a separate CAFRA permit.
In a worst-case scenario, the Solarium would be moved to other city property if it cannot remain on the beachfront, said Mahaney.