‘Lighthouses’ to be Removed From Cape May Entrance

CAPE MAY – The two structures on either side of the small bridge entering this Victorian seaside city are about to disappear after a wave of criticism reached the media as far away as Philadelphia.
The two structures that bear the words “Welcome to Cape May,” have been described by critics as Port-A-Potties and miniature golf course decorations. While the original intention of the structures was to light up at night and improve the gateway to Cape May, critics have said they really don’t look like anything in Cape May and contain vinyl, a no-no in this city.
Tom Carroll, a preservationist and long time member of the city’s Historic Preservation Committee called the structures “monstrosities,” in an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Hotel owner and developer Curtis Bashaw disliked the two structures so much that he offered to raise money for their replacement with something more appropriate.
The lighthouses or signboards as the city has referred to them sit in cutouts on either side of the county-owned bridge at the entrance to Cape May.
At an April 6 City Council meeting, Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr., said the structures would be removed from the bridge and placed elsewhere in town where they would be less visible. He said council had received a rendering of the lighthouses and picked the design and colors and the project went to bid.
“People either love them or they hate them” said Mahaney.
He said it was important to “put the best foot of the city forward,” and be known as a city that has “class and dignity.” Mahaney said he asked Carroll to select five persons to form a committee to look at a replacement for the lighthouses.
The final recommendation would come before the HPC and City Council, said Mahaney. He said any design must allow room for bicycle and pedestrian traffic on the bridge.
The committee will be comprised of Carroll, Bashaw, Real Estate Broker John Fleming, shop owner Hilary Pritchard and restaurateur/preservationist Dave Clemens.
Fleming provided a photo of the bridge from the 1920s or 1930s. At that time, the short span was a drawbridge with a bridge tender’s hut.
Councilwoman Linda Steenrod said the committee looking at the “lighthouses,” should be permanent and have oversight on other projects. She said the city spent a lot of money with landscape architects Rhodeside and Harwell for a vision plan of the appearance of Cape May.
Carroll said Rhodeside and Harwell sent him the artist renderings and mechanical drawings of their concepts for the “lighthouses.”
Councilwoman Terri Swain volunteered to represent council on the committee.
The mayor said other landscape and streetscape changes at the entrance to Cape May were positive. He said he would have preferred to complete the installation of the lighthouses including wiring to illuminate them at night to see how they looked.
The contractor will be asked to complete other aspects of the project including installing light standards on the bridge, he said.
Mahaney said the gateway project was funded by a grant and that money was depleted.