WILDWOOD CREST – A routine agenda for the Wildwood Crest Borough Commission meeting Sept. 16 drew a crowd of over 50 to Borough Hall. Everyone was there for one item listed under new business entitled “Medians – Pacific Avenue from Rambler to Cresse.”
The meeting began with the introduction on first reading of a bond ordinance for improvement of Pacific Avenue and appropriating $2.7 million for the purpose.
Mayor Carl Groon later explained that the need to address the repaving and refurbishment of Pacific Avenue and the fact that the work must be done prior to next year’s summer season is driving fast-track consideration of the possibility of including a median along the route which would have the effect of reducing the now four-lane road to two lanes.
The issue had been discussed at the planning board where, according to Groon, the focus was what could be done to improve the value of North-end real estate.
Throughout the evening, one constant comparison made by speakers was to Central Avenue in North Wildwood.
Those advocating for the medians praised the aesthetics of the North Wildwood road and its contribution to a sense of residential community. Those opposed to medians decried the use of the comparison entirely, saying Pacific Avenue in the Crest is a major thoroughfare through the borough unlike Central Avenue to the north.
Groon encouraged comments from the public and got both sides of almost every issue raised.
The medians would improve safety and they would hinder safety, the medians would increase ratables and they would have no impact on property values, they would have no negative impact on traffic flow or the loss of a lane each way has to have a deleterious impact.
Jack Taylor, who bought his home on Pacific Avenue in 1957 and has lived there ever since, told commissioners that there was no need for the medians. It would be a “great mistake” and a “waste of money,” he said.
Joe Serrano, on the other hand, sees proposed medians as a way for the borough to create a “statement street” that would impress people entering the borough from Cape May. “There is no beauty on that street,” he said.
The discussion moved freely from aesthetics, to community building, to safety as a large number of the assembled residents took turns speaking to the issue. The police department came out in favor of the medians, believing that they would improve pedestrian safety on the road, especially in light of state laws on pedestrians’ right of way.
With a four-lane road, many commented, four lanes of traffic have to stop for pedestrians. Cars in the second lane either way, according to police, do not always have a clear view of a pedestrian attempting to cross.
For others, the number of one-way streets in the area, the need for residents on the avenue to back out of driveways and lack of time to properly do traffic safety studies were reasons not to act quickly on such a change.
One who wanted more information was Commissioner Don Cabrera. He repeatedly stated that he was undecided on the issue and would “like to see more study.” Cabrera also expressed concern about the added $500,000 required to add medians to the project.
Cabrera raised the issue of opportunity costs when he asked what other capital projects the borough was considering and what benefits would come from other uses of the money.
Groon explained that the bond ordinance was set at $2.7 million so that a decision could be made either way.
He estimated that the work to Pacific Avenue would run about $2.2 million without the addition of the medians and that the extra $500,000 was added so that the borough could make the decision to move ahead if it elected to do so. “If we don’t approve the addition, that money will just not be spent on this project,” he said.
Borough engineering estimates are that to have the road completed for next year’s summer season requires that ground breaking occur in early December. The need for time to bid the project and have flexibility in case initial bids are not acceptable, leads to the requirement for a borough decision no later than early October.
The commissioners agreed that a decision was necessary at their meeting Oct. 7. That will also be the time for the second reading and public hearing on the bond ordinance.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.
Wildwood – So Liberals here on spout off, here's a REAL question for you.
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