Median Proposal Moves Crest Residents To Seek Postpone, Others Voice Support

WILDWOOD CREST – Concerned residents paused just outside Wildwood Crest Borough Commission meeting room to pick up copies of an architect’s rendering of the proposed Pacific Avenue reconstruction project, just prior to the Oct. 21 meeting. 
The rendering showed Pacific Avenue as a two lane road with an island median featuring trees and flower beds. This portion of the overall $2.5-million project will cost $465,000, and became a point of contention for many residents.
After the regular agenda, the public comment portion revealed a significant disconnect between Borough Commissioners and a segment of the community most affected by the plan. It would reduce Pacific Avenue from four lanes to two while creating medians designed to improve both vehicle and pedestrian safety and aesthetics between Morning Glory and Primrose roads.
The construction of the medians, at a cost of approximately $465,000, coupled with perceived traffic and safety concerns, was at the heart of the opposition.
Resident Gene Mulligan stood to represent area residents who signed a petition stating: “We, the undersigned registered voters of the Borough of Wildwood Crest, protest Bond Ordinance 1222 for improvement of Pacific Avenue.”
Mulligan stated that many residents were angry about how this project was handled, and are taking action for three reasons:
* Cost, many residents are concerned that this project will raise taxes.
* Concern that the reduction to two narrow lanes from the current four lanes will increase congestion, especially during the summer months.
* They were not included in the process ahead of time and that no input was sought by the borough. Mulligan stated that his group intended to present the required 152 signature petition to the borough Oct. 23. The petition demands that a borough-wide referendum let everyone involved have a say.
Other residents rose to complain that the borough was not communicating with them or seeking their input.
Some were concerned that taxes would force senior citizens from their homes, while others wanted to see a “master plan.” 
“You folks need more community outreach” stated one resident. Mayor Carl Groon admitted that the borough “Could do a better job of getting information out to the public.”
He promised to make commissioners available to anyone with questions about the proposal.
A resident suggested that information sessions be scheduled to discuss the plan with residents.
Commissioner Don Cabrera, who oversees Public Works, agreed that the borough should do better and volunteered to lead any information sessions residents requested.
Groon also suggested that residents should check the website or call Borough Hall for information as well.
Other residents supported the plan. One cited Department of Transportation statistics that show reduced accidents and injuries on roadways that have medians. 
Borough Planning Board Chairman Harry Mitchell supported the plan by citing real estate property value increases in other locales that reengineered their streets to feature medians; he asserted that these improvements have consistently improved ratables and cited Chicago as an example where this strategy has been successfully employed.
Supporters and Borough officials were concerned that the referendum movement would not only delay the project until next year, but also worried about the costs of a special election that would reach $20,000. After the Nov. 3 election, the next election is scheduled for June 2016.
They asked if the petition should be placed on hold while more information was disseminated that might cause some signers to re-think their opposition.
Others asked if the project costs themselves would increase during the delay period due to normal inflation.
After the meeting, Mulligan was not inclined to delay the petition for a referendum. He stated “I am not sold on this,” and pointed out that at least 80 percent of all signers live in the direct path of this project and want to be heard. He stated he definitely intends to present the referendum petition Oct. 23.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.