Old Cape May Convention Hall Items to be Offered for Sale

CAPE MAY — Want to own a piece of the city’s old Convention Hall prior to its demolition?
The city is preparing to sell items from the hall as surplus.
Among the items to be offered for sale include the stage curtains, a hardwood floor, stage lights, sound system, ceiling lights, six air conditioning/heating units and a baby grand piano. Additional items may be added such as tables, chairs and items from city-owned retail space on the Promenade.
At a Jan. 5 meeting, City Council discussed the means of disposing of the items.
City Manager Bruce MacLeod suggested using an auction Web site called Govdeals.com. He said the site allows multiple bids from one person over the course of a week.
MacLeod said ads for the surplus items could also be placed in local newspapers to direct readers to the Web site. He said an on site auction could not conducted inside Convention Hall since the building is closed for safety reasons.
Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr. said the means of the sale would be discussed at council’s next work session.
He said he would like local people to have the opportunity to obtain some nostalgic items from Convention Hall. The mayor said the sale of surplus items would help defray the cost of the new facility.
Councilwoman Linda Steenrod suggested cutting up the stage curtains into small strips and framing them to be sold as memorabilia. She noted a number of residents purchased items from the Christian Admiral Hotel prior to its demolition.