CAPE MAY — Drivers entering this historic seaside town by car on Route 109 at the southern terminus of The Garden State Parkway are probably not overwhelmed by the city’s entranceway.
In fact, it is hard to figure out where Lower Township ends and Cape May starts. The city’s gateway on Lafayette to Sydney Street is bland and unimpressive.
Plans have been in the works since 2005 to change lighting, traffic islands and landscaping but they were stalled by the departure of former city manager Luciano V. Corea Jr. who was trying to do the project without spending a lot of money.
In 2005, City Council decided instead of paying $34,920 to consultants Rhodeside and Harwell to design a new look for the entrance to the city, to let the revitalization committee work with a rough design from the city manager.
The city to received a $252,000 grant from the county for the improvements.
In March 2007, Rhodeside and Harwell presented an artist’s conception to the public and to members of the Revitalization Committee. Their design featured two structures that would have a stone base with glass sides featuring the name “Cape May,” monuments that would be illuminated at night and have a copper top, placed on the bride entering the city.
That plan has been set aside but on June 3, City Council approved a new preliminary design by the city’s engineering firm, Mott and Associates, for Cape May’s gateway.
The new design is simpler. Traffic triangles will be enlarged and feature pavers that resemble cobblestone. Small, solar-powered lights will illuminate walkways stretching towards Washington Street.
Streetlights would resemble those on the Washington Street Mall.
Engineer James Mott said a final design would be ready in two weeks with bids going out in August and construction completed in early fall.
Bob Watkins, of Mott and Associates, said two light piers would be installed on cutouts on the bridge. He said he wanted it to “say Cape May” rather than look like a lighthouse. He said the lights would be 11 to 13 feet in height.
Landscape Architect Jen Conner said Crepe Myrtle trees would be planted along the Cape May Marlin and Tuna Club, selected because they would not grow into overhead wires.
Councilman Niels Favre suggested seasonal flowers be planted in the triangles such as tulips in spring and mums in fall.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
