CAPE MAY — Eight new decorative arches are planned from Jackson Street to Grant Street in the final phase of redecorating the Promenade.
The arches are replicas of similar wooden structures along the Cape May Promenade that were destroyed after the Great Atlantic Hurricane in September 1944.
The Promenade (then known as the Cape May Boardwalk) faced relentless coastal storms, and the original boardwalk was ultimately destroyed by a nor’easter in 1962.
On Aug. 18, the Fund for Cape May presented to City Council the final phase, which includes a proposal for eight new arches to be placed farther apart than the existing arches.
The six existing arches were installed in 2023 and funded through the Fund for Cape May at a price of $25,000 each.
“To give context of when they were in place in 1910, you notice that they are of two different sizes,” resident, architect and Historic Preservation Commission chair John Boecker said. “They varied at that time based upon the width of the Promenade.”
Boecker added that the original arches did not have a reinforced steel frame, which is in the current arches to help withstand hurricane-force winds.
“The next phase, what’s being proposed is adding eight more directly to the west of those six but slightly wider apart,” Boecker said, noting there are two different sizes designed, depending on the width of the Promenade.
Curtis Bashaw, Cape Resorts owner and founder of the Fund for Cape May, said the idea behind the project was to revive the look of the past and work with the city as it improves the oceanfront walking path.
“I know the city’s been engaged in applying, contemplating applying for or has already applied for a widening of the Promenade to the west, which we think is a great idea,” Bashaw said. “The proposal for eight more, hopefully wider ones if the Department of Environmental Protection approves the widening, but happy with the narrower ones if they don’t.”
Bashaw added that the funding for the arches is in a market account from a fundraiser several years ago, and he is seeking clarity to let donors know what is happening.
“Even though we don’t know the outcome of the DEP widening, we’d love to know that council supports it in either direction,” Bashaw said.
Resident and HPC member Tom Carroll, who was a part of the Fund’s presentation, said after a previous public hearing, they agreed not to go further to the northeast with the arches.
“There was a little bit of a reaction to going further south to where the Cove is because it gets a little less light out of the center of town there,” Carroll said. “There seemed to be a uniform agreement for that, so that’ll kind of finish off the whole center of town.”
Mayor Zack Mullock said it was important to remind people that the area in question is not residential but a business area.
Deputy Mayor Maureen McDade asked where the DEP application for the Promenade widening stood.
“The first application approved the arches from a Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) standpoint, so they’ve been approved and we can move forward,” City Manager Paul Dietrich said.
He added that there has been a delay in the consultant’s submission of the permit application for the Promenade widening.
“For a large part, he was trying to make sure to complete the seawall extension project, but now that’s done,” Dietrich said. “I’ve been trying to push him, but he’s not been as responsive as I’d like him to be.”
McDade asked once the application was submitted, how long it would take for a response from the DEP. Dietrich said they may receive comments in 60 days, but it usually takes 90 days.
“So, we might know by the first of the year where we are as far as the widening,” McDade said. “And then obviously do that in advance of the additional arches if we move forward.”
Dietrich said that if the permit for the widening is received, the city could begin preparing for wider arches.
“Even if it were a delay in time framing, if the arches were there before the final widening, that would not be an issue,” he said.
McDade said that after hearing public feedback earlier, this plan seemed amenable.
“Certainly, knowing about the widening project would be more acceptable to move it forward,” she said, adding that from her perspective she was happy to see what was being planned for the next and final phase.
Councilman Steve Bodnar said that, based on his observations and the feedback he’s received, the arches have enhanced the Promenade experience.
“The photographs they have show a real stark difference between that area,” Bodnar said. “It looks like there’s a real opportunity here and I appreciate the thought process behind limiting it to the area that’s being considered. I think it shows a thoughtful approach to the entire process.”
Councilwoman Lorraine Baldwin said the arches are now synonymous with Cape May.
“I think this project is one that will enhance the area tremendously and create that rhythm down toward the Cove,” Baldwin added, noting the removal of the poles and wires was an improvement, especially regarding light pollution.
Bashaw agreed that removing the poles and wires was a benefit of the arch project.
Councilman Shaine Meier said he thought the arches were a successful project and are beautiful.
“I think it’s a cleaner look and you enjoy walking underneath those arches,” Meier said. “When you see those arches in front of Congress Hall, it’s going to tie the whole area together really nicely.”
Mullock said the widening of the area would align with the project that should be under way this winter.
The next step to fortify the Promenade against storms is to widen and raise the structure. A critical aspect of that fortification is the need to extend the seawall in several areas.
“We would effectively be raising that area by 32 inches without raising the entire promenade and blocking people’s views,” Mullock said. “Not only does it have a role in recreation, increasing safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, but also has hurricane protection, which is a major asset to this area.”
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew announced Feb. 13 that the Cape May City Seawall Flood Mitigation Project is authorized to move forward after securing $24.3 million to protect the vulnerable area.
The project proposes extending the Promenade just east of Madison Avenue to Wilmington Avenue, then down Wilmington Avenue. The plan was developed in collaboration with the state Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to significantly reduce the risk of property loss and loss of life.
With the funding now secure, work on the city’s seawall extension project could begin as soon as summer 2027, according to Dietrich.
Resident George Lesser said he thought the arches were fine but he did not like the black asphalt of the Promenade.
“I’m sure people who know more about hardscape than I do could come up with better ideas,” Lesser said. “I really think the asphalt promenade is a self-inflicted wound following the ’62 storm and I think it’s time for Cape May to do something better.”
Mullock asked if Lesser had seen the painted sealer on the Promenade.
“I agree that it’s not perfect,” Mullock said. “Just for anyone who would like to know, I think concrete was something like six times the cost of asphalt, which is extremely expensive.”
Resident Roz Johnson asked why more arches were being considered.
“It’s usually for a functional necessity that has nothing to do with a safety issue,” Johnson said. “Building more arches has, to me, no clear functional purposes. What’s more beautiful than our promenade, [where] you see the dunes, the sand, a vast ocean and endless sky?”
Resident Jules Rauch asked who would be responsible for paying for the project’s design. Mullock said it would be a combination of the engineer for the widening, if that were to occur, and perhaps the architect.
Dietrich said the Fund for Cape May had the design prepared for the project and the arches would be done in coordination with the proposed widening. The Fund for Cape May would also be responsible for the construction.
Rauch also inquired whether the arches would be required to be fully funded before the start of construction.
“We would probably require that as part of it,” Mullock said. “I’m not sure if we put that in the resolution for the original arches, [but] obviously we did this before and had no issue with that.”
Solicitor Chris Gillin-Schwartz said by the time the prior arches project was memorialized, the funding was available.
“We decided that people really feel strong about this would want to give money to make it possible,” Carroll said. “We added to that beautification, which I think is one of the most important things for the long term of the city.”
It has been a busy summer on the promenade, with visitors, beachgoers and ongoing construction. The final reconstruction of the Promenade (Cove to Madison) work is expected to be completed in the fall.
The initial phase of the project, which began after Labor Day last year, includes concrete repairs, widening and shoring up of the walkway, applying a new surface and the addition of 10 new ADA-compliant ramps.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave