Lower Township Bay Promenade Put on Hold

VILLAS – Lower Township Manager Mike Voll is recommending the proposal to build a promenade into Delaware Bay in North Cape May be put on hold.
Conceptual plans called for a pier near the jetty at David Douglass Park that could be used for fishing and viewing the township’s spectacular sunsets.
Old-timers told Mayor Michael Beck the township at one time had somewhere between six and nine fishing piers into Delaware Bay.
“Even though it’s an excellent project with a lot of public support, we could not get the funding in place,” said Voll. “It would cost about $3 million to build.”
He said he approached U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo’s office; his chief of staff indicated discretionary funds were not available at this time for such a project. However, the congressman would support a promenade in Lower Township once the economy recovers.
Voll said the township would have to complete construction of the promenade before receiving a $1.1 million reimbursement from the county Open Space Board. Without federal funding, the project would be short about $2 million.
“We have more important issues at this time,” he said.
Police Chief William Mastriana will be approaching the Township Council to consider moving the Lower Township police station back to Villas next to Township Hall where it originally was.
The township will submit a project to the county Open Space/Recreation Board in April to build a sidewalk along 1.5 miles of Beach Drive from Lincoln Boulevard to Pinewood Avenue to improve pedestrian safety.
The project proposal calls for a 6-foot wide sidewalk with a raised curb which will include marked crosswalks and drainage and ADA (American with Disabilities Act) improvements. The project will enhance access to existing beach paths.
Drifting sand from dunes partially covers some areas of the southbound lane of Beach Drive.
Voll said the design had been completed and all permits from the state are in place including a Coastal Areas Facility Review Act (CAFRA) permit.
“It’s a public safety issue,” said Voll. “We’re going to widen the road so we have a six-foot bicycle-jogging-walking trail, we’ll be pushing the dune back.”
Visitors and residents enjoy strolling along Beach Drive with its panoramic view of Delaware Bay but walkers must compete with traffic since the road has no sidewalk on the bay side.