WILDWOOD — The sun just would not shine as officials gathered at Cedar Avenue on the Boardwalk to officially open Phase II of new construction recently completed between there and Oak Avenue.
Mayor Gary DeMarzo, officiated at the brief April 9 ribbon cutting ceremony. Commissioners Ed Harshaw and Al Brannen were in attendance
Former Mayor Ernie Troiano, was recognized by DeMarzo as having been instrumental to get the renovation project started.
Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-1st), the guest of honor, spoke of the importance of Urban Enterprize Zones, and cited the work on the Boardwalk by organized labor who stood by the officials. Members of the UEZ state organization as well as, USDA representatives and city firefighters and police watched.
Forming a backdrop for the official party was a tramcar, fire engine, police car and ambulance.
Phase I of reconstruction encompassed over 1,000 linear feet of the boardwalk at Cedar Avenue. The project also encompassed the Schellenger Avenue tunnel phase and created a new underpass.
The Boardwalk was designed as a way to keep the sand off tourists’ feet. In the early 1900’s, the Wildwood beach began to expand eastward and the Boardwalk was periodically reconstructed and relocated to its present location. The Wildwood Boardwalk spans the entire length of the city from Cresse Avenue to 26th Avenue.
The most recent large-scale reconstruction occurred in 1999 when the section of Boardwalk between Cresse Avenue and Rio Grande Avenue was completely rebuilt.
Throughout the years, natural disasters, fires and constant weathering have made it necessary to systematically repair sections of the boardwalk. The great flood of 1962 caused the greatest damage to a majority of the Boardwalk’s length. Despite these factors, much of the structure that remains in service today dates back 85 years or more to its original construction. From its origins to present day, countless repairs have been made, from small patches and shims to rebuilding several blocks of the Boardwalk.
After years of planning, the boardwalk and adjoining tunnel were built with the public’s safety in mind. Built to highway specifications, the new area of the Boardwalk is capable of supporting the weight of the Fire Department’s most sophisticated equipment.
DeMarzo took the opportunity to thank Wildwood Police, Fire, Public Works, Water and Sewer departments, along with all the surrounding businesses for hard work and patience over the past two years.
This first phase of this project cost approximately four million dollars and Phase II costs an additional two million dollars.
The project was paid for exclusively by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, and New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone Authority funding. Not one penny of municipal tax dollars was used on this project. For years, the boardwalk has been at the center of Wildwood’s economy, ensuring a stable place of business to the members in our business community.
The above described project is consistent with the UEZ Act, with the entire Wildwood Boardwalk located in the Wildwoods Urban Enterprise Zone. This project is consistent with the City of Wildwood’s Five Year Zone Development Plan. The city will be returning to the UEZ for additional funds in the future for further replacement of the boardwalk.
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