WILDWOOD CREST ─ After discussion, debate, and listening to borough residents, Mayor Carl Groon and the Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance Oct. 7 for improvement of Pacific Avenue.
The municipal courtroom buzzed as many residents attended the morning meeting.
“We will probably make a decision after this,” Groon had said when the floor was opened for public comment on the median issue.
Each side presented its concerns: safety (with or without medians), aesthetics, and the adding or detracting from the residential aspect of Pacific Avenue.
“I am convinced that the medians will improve safety,” Groon stated during board discussion. “I have listened to my engineer and the police department.” Groon also added his belief in government “making an investment in the neighborhood” at the proper time. “This is our time,” Groon said.
With a new branding logo waiting in the wings and the “investment” in Pacific Avenue, Wildwood Crest enters a new era.
During public comment, resident Jack Taylor expressed concerns, “I think it (the medians) will be a detriment.” However, Taylor commended the board and admitted the decision it faced is “tough.”
One resident expressed personal opposition to the project based on the difficult parking situation the medians may create for her street. “No parking will be eliminated,” Groon announced. “It may even be widened.”
When asked about safety of pedestrians and motorists, Groon deferred to Eugene Taylor, director of public safety. Taylor shared part of his conversation with the police chief of Ocean City.
According to Taylor, that police chief was originally opposed to medians as well, but his opinion has changed. Accidents will happen, yet additional safety outweighs not having medians installed.
Jack Morey gave his opinion on the matter. Morey praised the borough for its commitment to “green space” and completing the Sunset Lake project, despite setbacks.
“This town is committed to green space,” Morey reiterated. “Medians will make the Crest about its people, not its cars.” Morey also stated his belief in higher property values making for lower taxes. Several Crest residents openly agreed with Morey.
“You don’t know what will start a trend,” said one resident. He compared the proposed project to similar examples in North Wildwood and Margate. “There is no need for a four-lane highway,” he said. Another resident pointed out that medians will likely prevent head-on collisions.
However, one resident said that he “was tired of hearing about North Wildwood.” The resident pointed out the borough having to hire more employees for the upkeep and how streets in North Wildwood are two-way and not one-way as they are in the Crest.
After the public comment, Commissioner Joyce Gould stated, “Pedestrians have always had the right of way.” “North Wildwood is lovely,” Gould said, “but so is your street.” Due to her safety concerns, Gould stated that she was not in favor of medians.
“The business side of me says ‘yes’ – the political side of me says ‘no’,” Commissioner Don Cabrera said. Cabrera said he would like to see “nicer gateways” created and a revision to some aspect of the proposed plan, thus reducing the projected cost of $2.7 million. “But I am in favor of medians,” Cabrera said.
Groon, after speaking of “making an investment in the neighborhood,” said that commissioners are a “can-do board.” They may not always agree, but the present administration has undertaken several major projects in the borough in the past eight years. “Don and I can take on the extra maintenance,” Groon said, answering the question of hiring extra employees.
With the discussion concluded, a vote was taken: Groon and Cabrera for medians while Gould opposed.
Medians from Rambler to Cresse will become reality in the near future and the bond ordinance passed into law.
Lawsuits Stall Dune Plan
Other matters on the agenda included an update from the Army Corps of Engineers: until certain lawsuits are settled on the state level, the corps will not proceed on the dune beach plan.
Plans for an emergency generator have also been slowed. According to Groon, the scope of the plan needs changed due to size and cost of the unit. “We will revisit this next year,” Groon said.
New Logo Coming
Formal adoption of the new logo brand for the Crest will take place at the next meeting, unveiling Crest’s next step in the branding process.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.
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