CAPE MAY — City Council and the Historic Preservation Commission have granted unanimous conditional approval to the USS Jacob Jones Memorial Foundation to move forward with its proposed project.
The Jacob Jones Memorial Committee previously appeared earlier this month before City Council to present its new designs for a monument to honor U.S. Navy sailors who gave their lives during the Battle of the Atlantic amid World War II.
The Jacob Jones was the first U.S. destroyer deployed in the Atlantic Ocean to patrol for German U-boats. On Feb. 18, 1942, it was attacked off the coast of Cape May just days after it began its mission and less than three months after Germany’s declaration of war against the United States.
During the May 18 HPC meeting, Chairman John Boecker recused himself from the board and in turn, acted as an applicant for the memorial. Boecker, the lead architect, presented information to the commission, including the new design and location on the Promenade, directly across from The Grand Hotel and its World War II observation tower.
The committee is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, and the project would be paid for through fundraising.
“It’s important to understand that this property is outside the current definition of the local historic district, because it’s on the beach side of Beach Drive,” Boecker said. “It’s a city-owned property, so we’re not requesting a certificate of appropriateness.”
Boecker added the presentation before the HPC was done out of courtesy. Solicitor Chris Gillin-Schwartz said it was a unique case.
“It’s going to end up being a city installation on city property, so I would consider this kind of like the arches (on the Promenade),” Gillin-Schwartz said. “The city’s taking an active role in this and would consider this more in the nature of an advisory type [of] approval.”
HPC member Kevin Hammeran said he thought the design was personal, with a feel and touch to it like the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.
“Being in the oldest resort, I think this is one of the newest and greatest monuments I’ve seen in a long time,” HPC member Tom Carroll said. “It’s very unique and I think it will be well received.”
Councilwoman Lorraine Baldwin, liaison to the HPC, said the proposal is exciting and a huge win for the city.
Resident Jules Rauch told council he supports the project but feels the major items, such as parking and lighting, had not been completed or discussed. He also said there may be an issue with ownership of the property.
“The comments have been made that the city owns the land,” Rauch said. “When that bulkhead was built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1961-1962, they owned that stone. It’s theirs. And you’re going to build on top of something that belongs to someone else.”
Rauch added that he did not believe there was evidence to show that the city has the right to build on it without approval from the Army Corps or permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
“From my standpoint, it came to City Council, it’s now before the HPC, it’s going to be before council again,” Gillin-Schwartz said. “So, it’s being presented in final form to the city now to navigate any applicable permitting procedures.”
Gillin-Schwartz added that the memorial organization made a robust effort to ensure its activities were consistent with the city.
“Now they’re proceeding through the process that anybody else follows, just like any other city project seeking advisory approval,” Gillin-Schwartz said. “There’s going to be [a State Historic Preservation Office] review, which is under the DEP’s umbrella, so those questions will be flushed out.”
The memorial will be incorporated into the city’s seawall extension project, which Gillin-Schwartz noted is forthcoming.
During the May 19 meeting, Rauch asked if there were a discussion on how the seawall plan would coincide with the memorial and whether there would be a waiting period or any coordination.
City Manager Paul Dietrich said he anticipated it would be a coordination issue and that it would be discussed further.
City Council passed a resolution for conditional authorization for the planning and permitting of the memorial project.
“I think you hit it out of the park, not just the memorial itself but the way you all worked with the entire community,” Mayor Zack Mullock said. “I think the final project is absolutely beautiful and something that the whole community can be proud of.”
Mullock added that he cannot wait to see who wins the race of the seawall or the memorial, and he is looking forward to working together with the committee.
Andrew Bares, owner of Cape Collection, said the memorial project represents a significant effort to preserve a piece of the historical town’s past.
“Many people visit our beautiful town for its Victorian architecture, pristine beaches and activities,” Bares said. “Many also come to celebrate its history as the oldest seaside resort town in the United States, and the creation of this important monument is a significant addition to our town.”
Councilman Steve Bodnar said the memorial committee found the right location and designed the right memorial for the project.
“I know it wasn’t easy along the way, but the fact that you took the feedback in from everybody, really has everyone excited about this project,” Bodnar said. “In my conversations with John Boecker and Myles Martel, and the presentations I’ve seen, I think the public is going to be blown away.”
Martel, chairman of the Jacob Jones Memorial Committee, thanked the council for the support given during the difficult process.
“I want to thank you all for the guidance you provided throughout, and I want to thank the community for their input,” he said. “Thank you for acknowledging the fact that we listened and for your vote of approval tonight.”
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
