Promenade Properties Upgrade Urged

CAPE MAY – Cape May City Council was urged to maintain its property holdings on the Promenade, March 20, in order to control the future development of a key tourist area.
The Municipal Building and Property Committee returned to city council with a new report on city-owned property on the Promenade.
Citing the importance of the Convention Hall area to the city’s tourism, the committee walked the council through city-owned real estate near the hall noting a large number of necessary improvements that are needed, but still coming down on the side of recommending that the city not divest itself of any of the properties.
Beginning with Convention Hall, which the committee called “the gateway to the Promenade,” it reported on 712 to 718 Beach Avenue, the property known as Pete Smith’s; 708-710 Beach, the “old Oasis” property; and on 702 Beach which houses Angelo’s Restaurant.
Noting that their canvas of the public showed very diverse opinions on the area, the committee said it saw Convention Hall as a busy hub of year-round activities that needed to be supported by repair and maintenance of the city’s surrounding properties.
The presentation suggested that the city think big when considering the future of the area which it felt had “strong intrinsic value” for the tourism agenda.
Committee members urged the city to engage in “aggressive planning” for the properties to enhance the activities of Convention Hall and restore the Promenade, with its central location, as a vital center of retail and activity for visitors.
The committee was candid about the deteriorating conditions in the city-owned properties, especially Angelo’s Restaurant, the alleyway to the beach in the surrounding area, and the buildings used to compensate for the storage needs of Convention Hall, which the relatively new building was never designed to support.
“It should never have been allowed to get this far,” was a comment that summarized many of the criticisms of neglect of ongoing maintenance.
Maintenance issues aside, the call was for a unifying vision for the area including innovative use of the once-open porch and large deck available at 702.
Conclusion
The conclusion of the advisory committee was that the city retains ownership of the buildings to maintain control over redevelopment of the area, urging that with proper upgrades the area can produce significant financial gains to the city.
Pete Smith’s was cited as an example of a small property that can return financial gains because of recent investments in renovations.
The recommendations came on the same night that city council approved a measure to finance preliminary planning for a new Public Safety Building. 
Money will no doubt be an issue when considering the significant investment in the Promenade buildings. Efforts to attract grant support were discussed.
Council member Beatrice Pessagno reminisced about the days when the Promenade was a central and vital part of the city’s life.
She said it was important “to make it the destination that it used to be.”
Keys to any vision, the committee’s presentation maintained, are a planned Convention Hall Annex, year-around, fully-maintained bathroom facilities, space appropriately upgraded for additional retail, and an improved and viable restaurant.
Admitting that some of the needs arise from a faulty design of the Convention Hall, the committee stated many of the things it is calling for “should have been done with Convention Hall” but were not.
Compensating for those inadequacies is a necessity.
The call to “dream big” appeared to resonate with council members.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.