Frosty Reception Greets City Idea for Open Space

WILDWOOD – City Commissioners held a special meeting Nov. 2 to discuss the possibility of rescinding two ordinances that would allow the municipality to go forward with the purchase of a parcel of land at 3400 Pacific Ave. by approving a $1.32-million bond as well as purchase approval.
After meeting, the commissioners opted not to introduce the new ordinances but instead will wait for direction from Superior Court Judge Raymond A. Batten.
“We’re moving forward with it,” said Commissioner Pete Byron. “We’re going to let the judge decide if we need to put it that for a referendum or not. He will tell us what to do. Either the petitions were not done correctly or we need to put it out to referendum.”
A hearing with Batten scheduled for Nov. 5 was rescheduled to the afternoon of Nov. 6, too late for this edition.
The purchase of the land has been contentious between a group of local property owners and the city. A petition filed with the municipality asked that city officials put the question of the land’s purchase to its voters in a referendum.
Byron does not feel the purchase of the land needs to be put before voters.
“I think it is absolutely ridiculous. It’s not about a creating a skating rink. It’s about acquiring land at zero cost to the community,” said Byron.
When asked if the land would be used for a skating rink, Byron replied not necessarily.
“That’s just an idea,” he replied. “A skating rink is just one person’s idea. In any of the presentations I have given I have been very clear in what we’re trying to do. Right now it is to take advantage of a very unique opportunity that Wildwood has never taken advantage of.”
Byron said the city has a window of opportunity to obtain a parcel of land in the center of the resort that would be paid for by county open space funding. In the past, the city never applied for open space funding.
“We can get a parcel of ground in the center of town that has been targeted for years by the previous administrations, the BID, (Boardwalk Improvement District), SID (Special Improvement District) and GWTIDA (Greater Wildwood Tourism Improvement and Development Authority),” said the commissioner.
In the city’s 2015 Plan, the Pacific Avenue parcel is shown as a park, amphitheater or other entertainment venue.
“It’s also shown as a connector between that part of town and the Boardwalk,” said Byron. “What we’re trying to do is bring to fruition something that the previous administrations and all the governing bodies throughout the city have already signed on saying they agree with that.”
Byron added the idea of a skating rink was his when he wanted to “step it up a notch.”
According to county open space requirements, two independent appraisals of the property were completed. The appraisals are set to go before a third review appraiser.
If the judge’s ruling requires the city to take the question to a referendum, Byron said the city is prepared to do so.
“Why should the voice of a few influence something so spectacular for the whole of this community? The question I would broach to these people is ‘What’s your motive? How can you have a positive motive by going against something that has already been part of a plan for five or six years?’” he concluded.