The Ugly Mug reopens its patio/Jack Fichter

CAPE MAY — The Washington Street Mall refurbishment project was scheduled to be completed May 16 and the work met the deadline and remained on budget.

Engineer Terry McLaughlin of Remington Vernick and Walberg updated mall merchants for the final time May 15 in City Hall Auditorium. Meetings were held every two weeks throughout the project to issue progress reports.
He said the job was “substantially complete” minus a few punch list items such as finishing construction of decorative fountains and touching up paint on light poles.

All the brickwork all the mall was sprayed with sealant on May 7 with the exception of Hill and Draper walks allowing restaurants to begin using patio space once again for tables. McLaughlin said trash and recycling cans are in production and will be delivered next week.
He a few workers would be addressing small items on the mall during the next two weeks before they consider the project totally completed.

McLaughlin said all mall property owners must connect both their roof drains and air conditioner condensation lines to the storm sewer system. Ten days notice will be given to property owners that have not tied into the system before the city makes the connection and charges the owners for the work.

Some merchants have complained about overwhelmingly bright bollard lights at intersections. McLaughlin said shields may be used to redirect the light or frosted globes installed to diffuse the brightness. He said no other changes to mall lighting were under consideration.

A merchant asked if any plantings would be placed on pergolas that hide power transformers mounted on the mall’s surface. McLaughlin said the city’s Parks and Garden Committee had discussed planting wisteria in front of the pergolas.