Pacific Avenue Closed to Traffic to Aid Businesses

WILDWOOD — Officials were finalizing plans June 17 to close Pacific Avenue to traffic for the summer, which started June 19, in a three-block stretch, from Schellenger to Spicer avenues, to help businesses in Wildwood’s downtown district.
Restaurants are allowed to fill sidewalks and parking spaces with tables and retail shops can extend their footprint, as well, said Mayor Peter Byron.
The cross streets are open, and drivers can cross Pacific Avenue, going east or west, in a car, but each block of Pacific Avenue in that stretch will be barricaded through Labor Day, regardless of what restrictions are lifted by the governor, said Byron.
He met with business owners, the chief of police and Patrick Rosenello, chairman of the Business Improvement District and mayor of North Wildwood, to discuss plans recently.
“People are in dire need of having some fun, trying to get outside, and just enjoy themselves for the first time in months, so we see it as a very good thing,” said Mike Lerro, who owns a Pacific Avenue bar.
Lerro said they would be bringing in bands to play to the outdoor crowds and hopes for a block party atmosphere.
“We want people to come down there and have a good time, enjoy the nightlife, as well as come down here and be able to have a nice lunch on Pacific Avenue, sit out there and watch the people walk by. We really envision something special taking place,” said Byron.
Pacific Avenue has long needed freshening up. The city has plans to eventually renovate the deteriorating section of town. If outdoor dining is successful this summer, the city could potentially include that concept in Pacific Avenue’s reincarnation, said Byron.
“I think it is a test,” said Byron. “If this takes off and is successful, who knows, maybe this becomes a regular thing.”
Lerro sees this as a unique time that could translate to a special opportunity for those on Pacific Avenue.
“I think we have a very different scenario than we’ve ever had before. The Wildwood Boardwalk has been the entertainment district, the fun zone, if you want to call it, for the last 30 years,” Lerro said. “With the rides being closed, at least temporarily, and a lot of the things up there aren’t really in full swing. I think we have a competitive advantage we’ve never had before.”
Even with the added outdoor seating, it’s not a perfect solution to the problem and restaurant owners are desperate to open their dining rooms and indoor bars to customers.
Joey Montello, the owner of a Pacific Avenue restaurant, said he only gets 25% of his indoor capacity, and he is at the mercy of the weather gods because overhangs on the front of his restaurant prevent the possibility of tents, but he thinks it will be a help and is hopeful it could be good for the street’s future.
Byron said people understand how to protect themselves against health risks, and it’s time to turn the focus to reopening businesses.
“I think we need to be putting more emphasis now on the economic and mental health because the economic impact could definitely impact mental health if we don’t get open sooner rather than later,” Byron said.
At the time this article was written, there was no firm date on indoor dining from Trenton, and restaurant owners were beginning to talk about a collective, organized revolt against the governor’s orders and opening their insides en masse, especially if they were not permitted to do so by July 4; however, the governor announced June 22 that indoor dining could resume at 25% capacity July 2 (see related story on page A3).
To contact Shay Roddy, email sroddy@cmcherald.com.