Van Drew helps secure funds
CAPE MAY — Work on the city’s seawall extension project could begin as soon as summer 2027, according to City Manager Paul Dietrich.
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.
“We’ve been going through the design process to finalize everything, and it got delayed under the current presidential administration,” Dietrich told the Star and Wave. “The projects have to be authorized by the Secretary of Homeland Security before being elevated.”
Dietrich added that Van Drew has been working the past several months to clear that hurdle.
The approval comes on the heels of a delegation of officials from Cape May County visiting Washington, D.C., in January to urge the release of the funding.
“I just heard directly from the Secretary of Homeland Security’s office that his project has officially been authorized,” Van Drew said in his statement. “This is a major breakthrough for Cape May and our entire shoreline.”
Van Drew added that it was not a matter of if there would be a next major storm but when.
“The seawall project is making sure we are not caught unprepared,” he said.
The project was awarded a Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 2023. The final trickle-down of paperwork might take some time, with Dietrich noting that the city must have its grant match in place.
“The anticipation is to have everything set up to put the project out to bid in the summer, award in the late summer and have a fall start for construction,” Dietrich said. “We’re anticipating at least a year, if not longer.”
He added that there is currently no timeline for construction; it will depend on the contractor.
“The biggest thing is there will be active construction on the Promenade over at least one summer season, [probably] summer 2027,” Dietrich said. “There will have to be beach closures.”
“Having the support of our whole legislative team: Congressman Van Drew, Sens. Booker and Kim, and our partners at the state Office of Emergency Management, and FEMA region office, everyone’s cooperation making sure this project moved forward was important,” Dietrich said.
The ongoing process to secure federal funding for beach replenishment has been fraught.
On Jan. 21, city officials, including Mullock and Dietrich, met with federal representatives to request funding for New Jersey beaches. Representatives from other shore towns, including Upper Township and Avalon, joined them.
During his State of the City address Jan. 6, Mullock called on federal officials to release the grant funding for the critical work. He said a delay poses a threat to Cape May residents and property.
Currently, for a city to follow the normal procurement process for beach replenishment, it would have to be passed through the federal budget. During a Jan. 21 meeting, Dietrich said the city is expected to get a replenishment project this year.
“I think our beaches are in OK shape; there are some hot spots that could use more sand,” he said. “The Coast Guard base is starting to see some wearing on the beach.”
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
