CAPE MAY — City Council approved a resolution Oct. 20 to authorize City Engineer James Mott to provide specifications, plans and construction management services to move the city-owned Solarium to a new location, a necessity since a new convention hall will occupy the footprint of the building.
While the city has the option of demolishing the Solarium, Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr. said that is not a sensible plan since the building is owned debt-free and underwent a reconstruction in the early 1990s at a cost of $400,000.
The bond issue that financed the rebuild was paid off in the summer of 2008, he said.
“The building is structurally sound and can be moved,” said Mahaney. “It has considerable functional life left in it.”
Starting from scratch with a new building at Sewell Point could easily cost $500,000, he said.
Mahaney said the state Department of Environmental Protection determined it would not be appropriate to move the Solarium to another beachfront location because dunes would be disturbed in the process, said the mayor.
A special town meeting will be held tonight, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at Cape May Elementary School. City Council approved an agreement with Temple University School of Environmental Design Oct. 6 which will initiate the process and procedures in planning for the development of passive recreational and educational activities for the soon to be acquired 78 acre tract of preserved wetlands known as the Sewell Point Sanctuary. Temple University students will also make design recommendations to improve Rotary Park and Harbor View Park. Public input will be received at tonight’s meeting on the parks.
Mahaney said if the Solarium were moved to the Sewell Point Sanctuary it would not be located along the street but setback from the road with landscaping as a buffer. He said he is open to suggestions on relocating the Solarium.
The building would make an excellent center point for activities at the Sewell Point Sanctuary possibly providing space for an office/retail store, restrooms and classroom for seminars, said Mahaney.
The city owns land along Pittsburgh Avenue across from Cape May Avenue, where a paper street exists, to accommodate the Solarium.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
