City breaks ground for construction of new Cape May Police Department
CAPE MAY — Following an arduous and lengthy journey to bring the $8.6 million Cape May Police Department headquarters to fruition, officials finally broke ground Nov. 12 at the corner of Lafayette and St. John’s streets. The anticipated completion is spring 2027.
Mayor Zack Mullock and City Council, Police Chief Dekon Fashaw, members of the Cape May police and fire departments, state Assemblyman Erik Simonsen, West Cape May Mayor Carol Sabo and Deputy Mayor George Dick were in attendance.
“Today truly marks a historic day, and frankly, a long-awaited day for the city of Cape May, with the groundbreaking of our police station,” Mullock said. “This project has been many years in the making; my police chief reminds me of that nearly daily.”
The building will unite the Cape May Police Department, which is currently divided between two buildings: one operating out of City Hall and the other at the sub-station in West Cape May.
“Finding this location was not exactly easy and there’s been several other proposals throughout the years,” Mullock said. “Today we begin a project that is centrally located, with ample parking.”
The site, at the corner of St. John’s and Lafayette streets, is strategically located to ensure optimal emergency response times throughout Cape May. Mullock noted the location is on an environmentally sensitive piece of land.
The project will be built partially over the formerly contaminated part of the Lafayette Street Park. City Manager Paul Dietrich said last year that the main part of the former Jersey Central Power & Light facility would be covered by a parking lot for the police station. He said there would not be any penetration into the ground that would disturb any contaminants.
“I especially want to thank the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection,” he said. “We traded a small parcel here at Lafayette Street Park for a much larger, natural area adjacent to the Sewell Track.”
In March 2025, the State House Commission unanimously granted approval to Cape May’s land diversion proposal, providing the space for the construction of the police station.
The approval allowed the city to exchange 6.6 acres of environmentally sensitive land adjacent to the Sewell Tract for 0.137 acres at the Lafayette Street Park that is part of the state Green Acres program.
“I want to take a moment to thank the taxpayers of the city of Cape May,” Mullock said. “This project was born out of your support, going all the way back to a public voter referendum.”
Mullock thanked Sabo for housing a portion of the police department at the West Cape May sub-station, adding the city could not ask for better neighbors.
He also thanked the several resident volunteers who served on the police station task force, including former mayor and police officer Bob Elwell, former councilman Mike Yeager, former police chief of North Wildwood Jake Stevenson and member of the Historic Preservation Commission Dennis Crowley.
Fashaw said he has promised the neighbors in the vicinity of the police building that they will be good neighbors and stewards of the land.
“We sincerely thank our residents and the community for supporting us in this investment, allowing us to spend their hard-earned finances to pay for this facility, none of which would’ve been possible without the supportive community,” he said.
Fashaw thanked the Wise family, whose home once stood on the land where the police headquarters will be built. The family’s agreement to allow the land to become the future home of the police department was a significant decision.
“Miss Elsie Wise and her children and grandchildren grew up here, lived here for many years,” Fashaw said. “Their history is long and I speak of history because it’s important what they did here in this area and this park.”
He added that he had heartfelt conversations with the family and thanked them for reminding him that Elsie Wise had also served 18 years with the Cape May Police Department.
“Miss Elsie was a crossing guard and meter maid, along with Miss Pam Boyce and Miss Mayor Ruth,” Fashaw said. “Three of Cape May’s finest ladies that protected our children, making the city safe to cross.”
Fashaw said the building’s entrance will include a Hall of Heroes featuring pictures of Elsie Wise, along with past and present chiefs and police department members.
“[It will be] built into our department on the first floor, along where officers and staff will gather each day and pass by with a simple reminder of who helped build the Cape May Police Department,” Fashaw said. “I must remind you that you can’t know where you’re going unless you know where you came from; it’s very important not to forget your history.”
Building specs
City Council awarded the $8.6 million contract Sept. 15 to Ogren Construction of Vineland.
The new facility will be the department’s first independent headquarters. It will feature improved public access, upgraded technology, enhanced training spaces and sustainable design elements to support operations and future growth.
City Council contracted with architect Robert Conley in September 2022 for initial design services with an amount not to exceed $80,000. On April 16, 2024, City Council authorized Conley to proceed on the remaining phases of the contract.
In July 2025, council reviewed the final site plans presented by Conley and John Descano of Robbie Conley Architects. The plan accommodates different site features and issues, including staying away from the former JCP&L remediation site.
The plan presented included electrified gas lamps, like those on the Washington Street Mall, fencing around the parking lot and landscaping.
The design features three floors. The first floor will have a public-facing lobby, a processing area and a designated space for officers. There is also storage for police golf carts and bicycles for summer officers.
The second floor will house detectives, lockers and showers, a fitness area, a break room and a kitchen for staff to prepare and eat meals.
The third floor is for the command staff and will include an open patio area and an observation deck. This area will overlook Lafayette Street Park and serve as a community gathering space.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
