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Beach Theatre Neighbors Get Demolition Letter

Courts | Wed, 09/07/2011 - 6:23 am | Updated 36 weeks 6 days ago | Read 3381 | Commented 2 | Emailed 2

By Jack Fichter

CAPE MAY– Businesses located near the Beach Theatre received letters from the building’s owners, Frank Investments, Tue., Sept 6 informing them demolition of the theater would begin within 14 to 30 days from the date of the letter.

Beach Theatre Foundation Treasurer Bernie Haas read a letter to City Council Tuesday sent to a neighboring motel from Frank Investments.
He said the letter advises business owners to get a pre-inspection of their property and lists the contractors hired to demolish the auditorium portion of the building.

“I’m here to defend the historic Beach Theatre once again,” said Haas. “We will fight this fight until it is over.”

He noted the foundation appealed a decision by Judge Armstrong saying the Beach Theatre Foundation had no standing.

“Because it is on appeal, do the Frank Investment people still get the opportunity to get a demolition permit?” asked Haas.
Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr. deferred to City Solicitor Tony Monzo.

“My only comment is I think you should talk to your attorney about that,” answered Monzo.

He said it was not appropriate to discuss the matter before City Council.
The mayor said the matter was before the Appellate Court and council would not discuss it publically.

Print | Email Updated 36 weeks 6 days ago

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Fri, 09/09/2011 - 1:33pm - Posted by: J Testa

Here's an idea for you, Dave G: The BTF has always been prepared to offer the Franks a "fair price." Oh, what, you missed that part of the last two years? And, in fact, that's exactly what the law requires as a condiition to demolish an historic site--you have to show you tried to sell it for a FAIR market price and couldn't. The issue has never been about how much money the BTF has or could raise, but its inability to get the Franks to come to the table at a FAIR price. In the case of the Franks, the correct statement would be, "its for sale, if you are willing to pay much more than a fair market price." So, you might say, the Franks are entitled to get any price for the Theatre, and you'd be right, except for "historic" property. When you want to demolish that, the normal rules change. So, again, since you missed the last two years, it all comes down to whether the Beach Theatre meets the historic criteria. The City's expert advising the Historic Preservation Commssion thinks it does, and so does the HPC , the City Planning Board, and the BTF. The City Council, however, sides with the Franks and recently settled a lawsuit allowing the Franks to by-pass all City boards (the issue was being contested in the Zoning Board of Appeal) and go forward with the demolition. That's what's behind Jack Fichter's story, and, while the news is grim, it's good to see Jack back on the Cape May beat.

Wed, 09/07/2011 - 3:30pm - Posted by: Dave G

Here's an idea for the Foundation: Offer the Franks a fair price for the theatre. Everthing's for sale if the price is right. Hmmm, not enough money? Buy just the building and move it onto your own property. Fix it up, and operate it profitably. Oh, that's right, you guys don't have ANY money, you just want to tell other people what to do with theirs!




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