Spread the news
SAVE & SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Wildwood Dumps Locust, Opts for Ipe
Tags: Black Locust, rainforest wood, Wildwood, Wildwood, wildwood boardwak
Demolition of the Schellenger Avenue section of the Boardwalk began in October 2008 and encompasses approximately three blocks of boardwalk, including a tunnel at Schellenger Avenue to facilitate emergency vehicles. Photo by Lauren Suit
WILDWOOD — The famous boardwalk here is set to get a new facelift in time for Easter 2009, but environmentalists are concerned that the fresh new look is coming at too high a price to the world’s rainforest.
Officials and environmentalists spent the last commissioners’ meeting in 2008 debating what type of wood would best serve Wildwood’s boardwalk after the city med a decision to switch from black locust to tropical hardwood, such as ipe, harvested in rainforests.
Mayor Ernie Troiano, Jr. and Commissioner Bill Davenport voted Dec. 17 to use ipe tropical hardwood to replace portions of the city’s aging pine wood boardwalk. Commissioner Gary DeMarzo abstained from voting on the resolution.
The decision to switch lumber came after the city was sent “an absolutely deplorable” shipment of black locust lumber, according to Troiano.
The first shipment received by contractor, Walters Marine Construction, the contractor for the project, contained such poor quality wood that nine out of 10 boards were rejected, City Engineer Marc DeBlasio said.
“What we got was horrible,” Troiano told the Herald. “Absolutely terrible and there was still bits of bark on it. There was no way we were comfortable using that wood to rebuild.”
Tom Downs, owner of Lifetime Locust Fence and Lumber, said his company was the supplier for the shipment of black locust.
Downs, whose company has worked with locust wood for over 30 years, said he had never been involved in a boardwalk project. But, he said, the company has supplied locust from Central Park in New York City to homeowners and received nothing but rave reviews.
Downs said he was confident the durable, rot resistant material would be a good fit for the city’s boardwalk.
Downs said he could have supplied veneer, which is the highest quality, to a grade-3, which is typically used in fencing. The city, he said, opted to use the grade-1 wood.
Downs said that when he first met with the Remington & Vernick, engineers for the project, he was “very clear that grade-1 was not going to be perfect” but he said he talked to the engineers to work out a supply schedule so the quality would be at its best.
Downs said that because Remington & Vernick were also handling the reconstruction Washington Street Mall in Cape May, they decided to order a large shipment of wood for that project “so they could get a good look at it.”
Downs said the engineers rejected about 500 board feet, but said they were satisfied.
The first shipment of black locust for the boardwalk arrived in September 2008, Downs said.
“I actually drove down with that first load,” said Downs. “And there were no questions about the quality or problems with the wood at that time. Everyone seemed pleased and I went into full production.”
Downs said his family-owned business hired more labor and increased production in order to make the city’s deadlines.
After the second supply of lumber was delivered to the city, Downs said he was told to hold off on production.
“That’s when the quality questions started to fly,” he said.
Downs said that he’s surprised that any questions in regard to quality were not made during the delivery of the first shipment.
Downs said his business has taken a $100,000 hit because of the city’s decision to go with ipe.
“But the city doesn’t seem to care about what happens to a small business like mine,” he said.
Downs said Mayor Troiano or the city’s engineers have returned his phone calls.
“I suggested going with the veneer, but it seems they [the city] have already made up their mind that they aren’t willing to negotiate,” he said.
“Ipe was available and we had to move on it,” Troiano said. “It has the board strength we need, especially for emergency vehicles.”
“We would never make the Easter opening,” he said. “I couldn’t do that to the piers and all the businesses up there.”
Demolition of the Schellenger Avenue section of the Boardwalk began in October 2008.
Replacing the entire boardwalk is a ten-year, $10 million project. So for now, the city will focus time and money on the first phase of the project.
Phase I of the project will cost over $4 million and encompass approximately three blocks of boardwalk, including a tunnel at Schellenger Avenue to facilitate emergency vehicles.
Phase I of the reconstruction boardwalk replacement is a fully-funded project with grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone Authority.
Contact Suit at: (609) 886-8600 ext. 25 or lsuit@cmcherald.com
MOST POPULAR - (Within past 5 days)
- Car Fire Knocked Down Quickly in Rio Shop Rite Parking Lot (3611)
- UPDATE: Owner Claims Sex Crime Did Not Occur in Boardwalk Store (3212)
- Severe Thunderstorms Bring Relief and Power Outages (3062) |
- Ocean City K-9 Officer Forced to Shoot Rottweiler in Self Defense (2903)
- Ocean City Police Apprehend Seven, Seek One in Rash of Burglaries (2046)
more topicsMOST RECENT SPOUT OFFS
Middle Township trash contrac...
Posts: 10 | Views: 693
Middle's Budget Hole--WAKE UP
Posts: 33 | Views: 2412
Special Interests Rejoice
Posts: 37 | Views: 936
Security Math Question
Posts: 17 | Views: 782
Who is the Black Women compla...
Posts: 63 | Views: 2828
Is anyone else PO'd about Low...
Posts: 22 | Views: 1510
more homes TOP HOMES
For rent: Sea Isle City $900 3 beds 1
For rent: Sea Isle City $900 3 beds 1 bath...For rent: Wildwood $695 2 beds 1
For rent: Wildwood $695 2 beds 1 bath...For rent: Dennis Township $595 1 bed 1
For rent: Dennis Township $595 1 bed 1 bath...
more classifieds TOP CLASSIFIEDS
Restaurant- Now Hiring Hostesses,
Restaurant- Now Hiring Hostesses, Servers Bus Persons Apply in person after 11:30am: Urie's Res...Trades/Automotive- Mechanic's
Trades/Automotive- Mechanic's Helper/ C- Tech Position available at established general repair sh...Hotel/Motel- DESK CLERK (SEASONAL)
Hotel/Motel- DESK CLERK (SEASONAL) Experience required Apply in person 9am - 4pm La Mer Beachfr...
Login or register to post comments
Comments (17)
We welcome your thoughts, stories and information related to this article. Read our "Policies and Standards for Comments".
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 11:40pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Thu, 01/08/2009 - 3:22pmformer Wildwoods resident 1984-1996
what an ignorant, arragant, pompus, opinion you have. did you pay taxes or were you on county rental assistance. you don't seem to have a clue what the issues are. i hope you like your new taxpayer funded housing unit. get back in line for the next form of assistance you will undoubtitly be first to sign up for. GIVE US TAXPAYERS A BERAK AND GET A JOB. STOP BLEEDING US DRY!
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 10:23pm - Posted by: Anonymous
The Mayor of Wildwood was on News channel 40 at 5/6 today and he is looking HAGARD LIKE, surely the stress of all that is happening is taking a HUGE toll on him. Parents always say 'it all catches up with you in the end when your less than truthful or do things you shouldn't'.
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 9:30am - Posted by: Anonymous
THANKS FOR THE INFO. I CAN'T WAIT TILL MONDAY.
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 4:44pm - Posted by: Anonymous
The New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice has established a toll-free Corruption Tip Line 1-866-TIPS-4CJ or 1-866-847-7425 for the public to confidentially report corruption, financial crime and other illegal activities. I urge anyone who knows of corrupt practices by Mayor Troiano and Commissioner Davenport to call.
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 1:25pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Maybe the guy should resort to the HOT DOG CART as he appears to enjoy doing that. Surely after his career has ended as a WANNA BE PUBLIC SERVANT he should consider this as his primary income.
I'M SURE THERE WILL BE MANY TAXPAYERS WHO WILL TELL HIM WHERE TO PUT THOSE DOGS!!
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 12:36pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Wildwood's Payroll is $300,000 - BI-WEEKLY, for you math majors that is $600,000 - MONTHLY the City put out a resolution, PASSED BY Troiano and Davenport to borrow 3.3 million so the City can operate until they raise taxes again in the Spring. It seems that Troiano even with the brilliance of Davenport( Mr. Promotion) WE have a 40 Cent Tax hike in store for US. That a total tax rate of over TWO BUCKS per HUNDRED THOUSAND... Try selling your house with that rate....
The recall is picking up speed when I signed it had over a hundred names for just a week of circulation. The recall will give US a chance to move the election up two years and if the NEWLY elected officials don't do the job, WE do it again in 2011.
When asked about his (Troiano) conflicts he talks about HOT DOGS and Basketball. He can't run a City never the less a HOT DOG Cart.
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 9:42am - Posted by: Anonymous
AND THE OUTSIDER/FORMER RESIDENT THINKS THE TAXPAYERS ARE WRONG.
THERE IS A POSTING IN THE SPOUT OFF THAT STATES THAT WILDWOOD PAYROLL IS $300,000. AND THAT THE CITY HAS HAD TO BORROW THE MONIES AND IT IS COSTING THE CITY 80,000 IN INTEREST PER MONTH. ON THE ROAD TO BANKRUPTCY?? ERNIE EXTRAUDINAIRE BELIEVES THAT SELLING HOT DOGS AT EVENTS AND BEING SEEN AT BASKETBALL GAMES AND EVENTS AS A PUBLIC SERVANT IS SO IMPORTANT. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN WILDWOOD? PUBLIC SERVANT IS WHAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE INSTEAD IT APPEARS HE IS THE HITLER OF ALL TIMES! CONQUER AND DESTROY IS THE MOTTO IT SEEMS!
BEST OF LUCK TO THE TAXPAYERS IN WILDWOOD.
Thu, 01/08/2009 - 11:41pm - Posted by: Anonymous
I wish I could move but I can't sell my home for what I paid for it and the high taxes are not going to help sell it.
Thu, 01/08/2009 - 7:00pm - Posted by: Anonymous
To former residents that commented...you have no clue and really have no need to comment due to your lack of knowledge about what is really going on here. Taxpayers money is being spent along with bond after bond. There is total disregard for the average taxpayer and total attention only on the business people. Everyone has a right to live here and live without being taken down by the current administration. They make all the decisions with total disregard for the taxpayers(homeowners). The new rec center, bad land deals, doo wop (when all doo wop motels are gone).
Have you visited lately? Do you see the lovely Pacific avenue area which the concrete was done and redone with taxpayer monies? Do you see decent businesses staying down there and doing business? Some parts look like the ghetto with boarded windows and drug dealings going on left and right. Total eyesores. Could go on and on about what has happened to Wildwood proper.
This mayor believes that because he is out at baketball games and serving hot dogs that he is doing something for the people. LEAVE THAT TO THE PARENTS!!
Suggest that you read the papers and watch the Council meetings on You Tube. You may just change your mind about everything you have thought. As for taxpayers not liking their tax rates it is really none of your business as you are not affected and it is not your money being thrown away time and time again. And rates going higher and higher each year. Watch and see what the ratables will be this year after all the bad dealings that have happened by the current administration and all they can do is blame everyone but themselves for what has happened.
Thu, 01/08/2009 - 6:34pm - Posted by: Anonymous
to 1/8 @ 3;22pm
Maybe you haven't been here in a long time. There are not luxury homes in WILDWOOD. We do not live in million dollar properties in Wildwood proper. Obviously, you have no clue what you are talking about regarding taxes. Wildwood City has higher taxes than North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest and their property taxes are much lower than ours. We are on the same island and they have homes which are worth far more than Wildwood homes.
With regard to the mayor etc. you have no clue about what has transpired here in Wildwood during the current administration. Maybe you should visit more often or read the newspapers here.
Thu, 01/08/2009 - 5:09pm - Posted by: Anonymous
I AGREE CLOSE DOWN THE BOARDWALK ITS AN EYESORE FOR THE ISLAND.
Thu, 01/08/2009 - 4:22pm - Posted by: hometownwildwood
former Wildwoods resident 1984-1996
I personally think its a great move to redo the boardwalk. The boardwalk is basically the bread and butter for the island in the summer. And to be honest i don't feel bad for year round locals with taxes and all. Living on a beach is a luxury you dont need to live on an island to survive. Yes its a free country and you can live where you want but complaining about high taxes living on a beach is nonsense. Id love to live on a beach year round but i cant afford it and there isn't any jobs there in the winter so i moved to PA. So now i visit in the summer the way it should be.
It reminds me of the wildfires in California when they showed the celebrity homes being burned down boo hoo your living in luxury homes on the beach boo hoo it could be worse.
Don't like the high taxes, mayor and local politics just move then.
Wed, 01/07/2009 - 10:22pm - Posted by: Anonymous
THIS IS JUST ANOTHER FANTASTIC PROJECT BY YOUR INFAMOUS MAYOR AND HIS CRONIES!
THAT BOARDWALK IS TRASHY, DIRTY, A LARGE EXPENSE TO THE CITY (POLICE PATROL AND SUB STATION COST THE TAXPAYERS). RIPPING OFF OF THE VISITORS BY MANY OF THE STORES UP THERE WHICH HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS AND YEARS! THE CARNAVAL PEOPLE UP THERE MAKE THE MONEY AND LEAVE--THEY DON'T WANT TO LIVE HERE. (THERE MAY BE A FEW YEAR ROUND SHOP OWNERS BUT MOST ARE OUT OF TOWNERS ETC.)
MAYBE THE INFAMOUS MAYOR SHOULD THINK ABOUT GETTING RID OF THE BOARDWALK AND JUST HAVING THE BEACH. CAPE MAY DOES FINE WITH NO BOARDWALK AND IS FILLED WITH TOURISTS WHO FEEL SAFE.
CLEAN UP WILDWOOD!! IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE AND SHOULD NOT BE A TOURIST TRAP FOR DAY VISITORS WHO CAN NO LONGER STAY ON THE ISLAND WITH THE BIG IDEA OF CONDOS THAT ARE EMPTY AND MOST OF THE DOO WOP MOTELS THAT ARE GONE! IN TODAY'S WORLD PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD TO STAY HERE! WE DON'T NEED THE DAY VISITORS WE NEED YR ROUNDERS TO BUY THE PROPERTIES AVAILABLE SO THAT THE TAX BURDEN IS NOT PUT ON THE INNOCENT TAXPAYERS OF WILDWOOD!
Wed, 01/07/2009 - 7:18pm - Posted by: Anonymous
You've got bigger problems over there than rainforest lumber.
I wonder if anyone is so upset at all the rainforest cardboard these vermin shop owners staple to their storefronts in place of actual decent looking signs. The time has come for the Boardwalk to be forced to comply to some sort of aesthetic standard and stop being a combination swap meet/Vineland flea market. Its the last tourist draw the place has got and they're destroying it with each new lease.
Wed, 01/07/2009 - 6:39pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Lord knows the Mayor cannot let down the Boardwalk business owners!! What about the taxpayers of Wildwood that he has let down?
The boardwalk is not the only part of Wildwood that is important because without the Taxpayers where would Wildwood be?
WILDWOOD'S SURVIVAL DOES NOT EXIST SOLELY ON THE BOARDWALK AND THE BUSINESSES! Many of these people do not EVEN live here!!
Wed, 01/07/2009 - 6:36pm - Posted by: Anonymous
IF WILDWOOD USES IPE FOR BOARDWALK DECKING I URGE EVERYONE TO BOYCOT WILDWOOD POST SIGNS WILDWOD DISTROYED RAINFOREST,CONCRETE WAS THERE AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEE REPLACED BY PRECAST CONCRETE PADS .THE TRAM WILL RUIN ANY TYPE OF WOOD ,THAT IS WHY CONCRETE WAS THERE TO START. BILL BOARD SIGNS WILL POP UP SAYING NO TO WILDWOOD ,A HAZARD TO ENVIROMENT JUST LIKE THE MOTOR RACES'S ON THE BEACH AND MONSTER TRUCKS DUMPING OIL IN TO SAND ,WILDWOOD IS A DIRECT HAZARD TO ENVIROMENT. ALSO SPRAY PAINTING TRUCKS AND CARS IN OPEN AIR AT BACK GARFEILD AVE. PUBLIC WORKS YARD. TRASH TRUCKS DUMPING TRASH JUICE ONTO STREETS AND OIL SEEPING OUT OF CITY PROPERTY.JUST SAY NO WAY (OCEAN CITY MD. IS ENVIROMENTAL FREINDLY)
Wed, 01/07/2009 - 5:04pm - Posted by: Anonymous
I guess this will be the nail that nails the coffin shut. So to speak...