Stone Harbor Council Agrees: Bank Property Could House LIbrary

STONE HARBOR — What happened at a joint Borough Council-Realty Owners Association meeting Sept. 22 could be described as a game-winning home run from a curve ball.
If the County of Cape May is successful in bidding on the Bank of America building at 96th and Second Avenue, and wins it, the Borough Council has unanimously agreed that the branch of the County Library will be in that location, in a building that will be in keeping with the borough’s architectural style.
The bank’s intent to sell was unknown to officials earlier this year as the debate continued over location of the branch library. Finally, council settled on a borough-owned parcel, known as the Hand lot, on Second Avenue between 94th and 93rd streets.
The special Saturday session of Borough Council took place after a 9 a.m. Fall Membership meeting of the Realty Owners Association. Other business was transacted prior to a closed session at about 10:45 a.m. The session, which lasted about 35 minutes, took place as many ROA members awaited the outcome of the session, since Mayor Suzanne Walters, in announcing the closed meeting, indicated that council would likely take some action after the closed session regarding the county’s proposed purchase of the Bank of America building.
“Action will be taken when we come out,” Walters said.
Solicitor Michael Donohue then presented the likely scenario.
“The Bank of American property next door (to Borough Hall) unexpectedly came u for sale,” he said. There is to be a “sealed bid process that will end shortly,” he added.
“That happened after Borough Council dealt with the library location question,” he continued.
When the bank property became a possibility, it lifted a burden from council which, although it threw support for locating the branch at the Hand lot, was criticized for allowing borough property to be used when it could possibly be sold. There was also criticism for lack of parking space there.
The bank location would alleviate all those woes, according to borough officials. While the building may not be quite as large, perhaps a few hundreds square feet less than the proposed branch, it will still contain all the necessary features, and would also house the borough museum.
The present building would likely be leveled to make room for the new branch, which adjoins Borough Hall, and which has parking in the rear, which abuts the municipal parking lot.
Donohue said the county “essentially indicating it was willing to purchase the property if we can get it.” He said the branch would still cost the borough nothing, and the move would not prohibit the borough from exiting the County Library system at some time in the future, if there was a movement toward that action.
Should the county ever cease from having its library there, Donohue said the county “would be required to sell it to the borough.”
The mayor said after the 2011 municipal election, officials believed it was “appropriate to step back from the beach (95th Street municipal parking lot) location and set up a Library Site Selection Committee…At that time the Bank of American building was not in the mix,” she added.
The issue, “Pitted neighbor against neighbor, and it has not been a pretty thing,” she added. Once council zeroed in on the Hand property, she said, council was prepared to “put it (the issue) behind us.”
“Life sometimes throws you curve balls that change everything,” said Walters. “The decision on the Bank of America building was one of those curve halls. When that property became available we were under serious obligation to consider it,” she added.
In the past week, Walters said borough officials met with the County Library Director Deborah Poillon and the county’s Planning staff, “which believes it’s a great location.”
“They will construct a new library for us with significant input from us,” said Walters. The county is willing to work with the borough for design of the structure as well as programs that would be offered.
The facility would have community meeting room, museum space and be in the center of town, she added.
“It appears for some reason this curve ball is a positive one,” she said. Being located in the center of the resort, parents will not be afraid to let their children walk to the library, she noted.
“It will enhance our down town and help our merchants,” she said. “I think this is an exciting way for us to move forward.”
The resolution indicated the borough’s interest in exploring the purchase of the Bank of America building for the construction of a library branch and encourages the county to purchase the property.
“Ryan Howard cannot hit a curve ball,” joked Jon Ready. “This is a wonderful opportunity to come down 96th Street and have a library as an anchor in the town. It is absolutely the right approach. I commend council for the action taken because it’s good for the town.”
Bernadette Parzych questioned about remaining within the County Library system, and was assured by Donohue that nothing would force the borough to remain in the system. “There won’t be anything requiring the borough to stay in system for any amount of time,” said Donohue.
Randall Bauer, a candidate for mayor, noted that remaining within the county system would aid other places, “Not as blessed,” as the borough. By remaining he said it would be a “benevolent way of reaching out to our neighbors and help to make Stone Harbor a contributor to the rest of the county and the county is really in need.”
Earlier, in the Realty Owners Association portion of the meeting, Sister James Dolores, caretaker of Villa Maria By the Sea at 111th and beach was honored as the Citizen of the Year.
The award was accepted by Sister James with humility and thankfulness to those in the borough who support the retreat.
She also put to rest a rumor that had been circulating that the seaside property would be closed and sold.
“I’m here to tell you…the citizens of Stone Harbor as long as we receive help and support from you, we will remain here,” said the nun. She said some of the rumors might have been fueled by sale of a retreat house in Ventnor.
“We are not owned by the church of diocese. That is why we sisters paint and do the upkeep on it…We own the property. We must pay our taxes, and thanks to all of you, we hope to remain forever in Stone Harbor. God bless you all,” said Sister James Dolores.