Council Approves Single-Story, Scaled Back Hall Design

CAPE MAY — City Council unanimously approved design Scheme 6, a scaled down version of architect Martin Kimmel’s earlier design of a larger Convention Hall, shrinking from a 32,000 square foot building to a 20,000 square foot facility.
Following 90 minutes of comment from 17 members of the public, City Council approved Scheme 6 at Tue. Aug. 17 meeting.
The design concept for Scheme 6 is for a one-story building with a side entrance lobby with space for either two retail stores or conference rooms. The design includes room for an administrative office and additional restrooms for the public and storage space. The auditorium measures 8,000 square feet.
It has a catering kitchen with direct access to the auditorium and a full size backstage area. The hall can be divided in half to host two events simultaneously.
Deputy Mayor Jack Wichterman said council’s approval simply approved the concept drawing. He said ultimately, rooms could be in different locations in the finished design plans.
Scheme 6 calls for tearing down the neighboring Solarium. During public comment, Jerry Gaffney said he objected to its proposed demolition. He accused three new members on council, Wichterman, Deanna Fiocca and Bill Murray of breaking a campaign promise not to endorse demolition of the Solarium.
Resident James Wyatt called for the façade of the building to resemble Cape May’s original Convention Hall constructed in 1917 rather than a modern look.
Environmental Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Todd reminded council the city’s master plan called for use of alternative energy sources in city projects.
Resident George Mesterhazy said the public should consider how the design of a new Convention Hall would affect future generations. He warned of trying to stop progress and of misplaced sentimentality for the Solarium.
Resident Tom Carroll said it would be difficult to create a multi-purpose facility that would be suitable for performances. He suggested the city lease the Beach Theatre as an auditorium.
Resident Barbara Skinner suggested the city purchase Morrow’s Nut House, which is adjacent to Convention Hall, and turn it into a small movie and live theater. She suggested the city should have contracted with an architect with a background in construction projects in a marine environment with familiarity with Department of Environmental Protection complications.
Resident Christine Miller voiced concerns of the design of pilings for the proposed Convention Hall she called “weak and insubstantial.” She said the pilings were thin, rust-resistant, steel pipes that were open at the bottom.
Miller said she was concerned drawings indicated the pilings would be filled with concrete only to a debt of 6 feet, which could be scooped out of the sand by a major storm.
Resident Jerry France said he was concerned the Convention Hall Project Team had only three hours to look at six design proposals and render a decision for Scheme 6.
Innkeeper Allison Bjork said a large group of residents had no sentimental attachment to the Solarium. She said two couples staying at her inn drove to Stone Harbor earlier in the evening because they had run out of things to do in Cape May after a three day stay.
“I think that’s what the Convention Hall is about, you’ve got to bring people here and we’ve got to think of a way to make them stay here and spend their money,” said Bjork.