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'Lighthouses' to be Removed From Cape May Entrance

Government | Tue, 04/06/2010 - 7:59 pm | Updated 2 years 6 weeks ago | Read 4045 | Commented 20 | Emailed 7
Tags: cape may, cape may city council, mayor edward j. mahaney jr

By Jack Fichter

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CAPE MAY – The two structures on either side of the small bridge entering this Victorian seaside city are about to disappear after a wave of criticism reached the media as far away as Philadelphia.

The two structures that bear the words “Welcome to Cape May,” have been described by critics as Port-A-Potties and miniature golf course decorations. While the original intention of the structures was to light up at night and improve the gateway to Cape May, critics have said they really don’t look like anything in Cape May and contain vinyl, a no-no in this city.

Tom Carroll, a preservationist and long time member of the city’s Historic Preservation Committee called the structures “monstrosities,” in an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Hotel owner and developer Curtis Bashaw disliked the two structures so much that he offered to raise money for their replacement with something more appropriate.
The lighthouses or signboards as the city has referred to them sit in cutouts on either side of the county-owned bridge at the entrance to Cape May.

At an April 6 City Council meeting, Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr., said the structures would be removed from the bridge and placed elsewhere in town where they would be less visible. He said council had received a rendering of the lighthouses and picked the design and colors and the project went to bid.
“People either love them or they hate them” said Mahaney.

He said it was important to “put the best foot of the city forward,” and be known as a city that has “class and dignity.” Mahaney said he asked Carroll to select five persons to form a committee to look at a replacement for the lighthouses.
The final recommendation would come before the HPC and City Council, said Mahaney. He said any design must allow room for bicycle and pedestrian traffic on the bridge.
The committee will be comprised of Carroll, Bashaw, Real Estate Broker John Fleming, shop owner Hilary Pritchard and restaurateur/preservationist Dave Clemens.

Fleming provided a photo of the bridge from the 1920s or 1930s. At that time, the short span was a drawbridge with a bridge tender’s hut.

Councilwoman Linda Steenrod said the committee looking at the “lighthouses,” should be permanent and have oversight on other projects. She said the city spent a lot of money with landscape architects Rhodeside and Harwell for a vision plan of the appearance of Cape May.

Carroll said Rhodeside and Harwell sent him the artist renderings and mechanical drawings of their concepts for the “lighthouses.”
Councilwoman Terri Swain volunteered to represent council on the committee.

The mayor said other landscape and streetscape changes at the entrance to Cape May were positive. He said he would have preferred to complete the installation of the lighthouses including wiring to illuminate them at night to see how they looked.
The contractor will be asked to complete other aspects of the project including installing light standards on the bridge, he said.
Mahaney said the gateway project was funded by a grant and that money was depleted.

Print | Email Updated 2 years 6 weeks ago

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Sun, 04/11/2010 - 11:45am - Posted by: Vader

Great idea TommyR! A large arching rainbow from one side to the other! Lol!

Sat, 04/10/2010 - 2:07pm - Posted by: TommyR

Would it make some Cape May residents happy if the put rainbows there instead?

Fri, 04/09/2010 - 5:28pm - Posted by: Terry OBrien

Nice idea. Poorly executed.

Thu, 04/08/2010 - 4:20pm - Posted by: CapemayJimbo

....and Capemaybe is right...the vinyl railings are absurd.

Thu, 04/08/2010 - 4:19pm - Posted by: CapemayJimbo

It is so much worse than the nothing that was there before.?......does it look a little silly and festive....yeah it does...its' a resort .......my serious stuff is back north......I want festive, fun and silly in Cape May.

I thought they were cute and I will miss them.

Thu, 04/08/2010 - 3:12pm - Posted by: Springtime

These fake lighthouse were'nt that ugly, but they served no purpose and were stupid in the sense that they obstructed the view of the beautiful Cape May harbor as you crossed the bridge. I'm glad they are being removed and I hope they're not going to be replaced with anything. I want to see the view of the harbor ! And by the way, where were the lighthouse critics when the mayor put up very ugly and real portable toilets down at the Cove blocking that beautiful view.

Wed, 04/07/2010 - 8:36pm - Posted by: cnh320

The citizens should demand to be told exactly how much they cost including the designer and building cost. Seems frivolous. But then again, Cape may goverment cries poor and adds 400 parking meters to help "defray" costs.

Wed, 04/07/2010 - 4:56pm - Posted by: resident since the sixties

Better yet, hows about a toll booth, but only charge the people who live outside of Cape May, not the residents....

Wed, 04/07/2010 - 2:51pm - Posted by: BIGBOB545

Maybe they can put two giant parking meters there and make people throw all their money in when they come to cape may, just to get every dime they can!!!!!!

Wed, 04/07/2010 - 2:21pm - Posted by: resident since the sixties

Oh, thank God, I mean what would our lives have ever been like if these two eyesores remained here in the land of Cape May....

Wed, 04/07/2010 - 10:15am - Posted by: theleft

i understand the vinyl issue but..these lighthouses don't look that bad..i think this is nit-picking...the 'lighting the entrance' is a good thought....now the vinyl fences on the promenade...not crazy about them, they block the vision of someone that is "veritcally challenged" such as myself......and why in the world did they start changing color of benches? i feel terrible to say they look bad cause they are purchased by loved ones in memory of their relatives...but...ew...couldnt we have gone with a matching color ....somehow....

Wed, 04/07/2010 - 9:18am - Posted by: capemaygasworks

About the blue benches, probably the same person that picked the 'Troll Huts', and the plastic rails for the beachfront. However, we will now have another committee some members being non-residents to tell us what is proper for Cape May.

Wed, 04/07/2010 - 9:15am - Posted by: Villas_King

How about we replace the lighthouses with a couple big starfish? They're a nice reference to the shore and would look great in a dark shade, maybe chocolate. I'll bet the people of Cape May would love nothing more than to have access to two big chocolate starfish whenever they want.

Wed, 04/07/2010 - 8:23am - Posted by: Marter_Mary

....and pick up that awful blue wrought iron bench ....

Wed, 04/07/2010 - 6:38am - Posted by: To_The_Point

I know I said they looked like FisherPrice playhouses but I was just starting to appreciate them after they were dressed up with the "Cape May" lettering.

Wed, 04/07/2010 - 6:00am - Posted by: capemaygasworks

Yeah ... the 'lighthouses' are being removed after the Mayor spent a lot of political energy defending them. There are many nicely designed Victorian arch designs to see on the internet. Perhaps this new panel will look at them before coming up with a design. Or, bet yet, just don't spend any more tax payer money. Perhaps the 'lighthouses' can be used for the entrance to the public works yard. Now, if the same thing can only happen for MACY's by the sea aka the new convention hall.

Wed, 04/07/2010 - 1:07am - Posted by: A.comment

How about a statue dedicated to the lost seamen?

Wed, 04/07/2010 - 12:23am - Posted by: Vader

Are you kidding me!!!!!!!!!!! Channel 6 came down to do a story on this!!!!!!!!!!! Wow......unreal!!!

Tue, 04/06/2010 - 10:27pm - Posted by: Beachcomber69

I couldn't agree more with CapeMaybe!!!

Tue, 04/06/2010 - 9:59pm - Posted by: capemaybe

While the trucks are there removing these horrible things would it be possible for them to swing by the beach front and remove the new vinyl railings that are actually much worse? Thank God they are going to start asking people with a reasonable amount of taste before they make any more bad design decisions! What were they thinking?




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