More Coming Down in the Crest

[wildre]

From the 98.7 THE COAST website, don't see anything on the Leaders site. Will it ever end?

4/13/05 - Florist, Pizza Shop, Motels All Coming Down In Crest

Today's Wildwood Leader reports that two more motels, the Wagon Wheel Florist, and Bayside Pizza are all coming down in Wildwood Crest. The Leader says that the planning board in Wildwood Crest approved all of these demolitions, and more, during a marathon meeting back on Thursday, April 7th.

Now, the Leader also reports that some of the plans were approved against opposition and in conflict with the borough's current land use ordinance.

[Al Alven]

(Thanks for the info, wildre!)

Disgusting.

Is it safe to say now that the Crest has clearly made the decision to completely disregard every aspect of its historical heritage?

As far as I'm concerned, a clear and conscious decision has been made to totally transform the town. I have seen virtually no effort (from within, at least) to preserve ANY of the town's culture.

It is so infuriating to hear Crest officials talk about preservation, and how they are always working on ways to honor the island's Doo Wop history. There won't be much left there soon. I guess they are accomplishing their true goal.

Let's just hope that the classics that are left can somehow manage to hold on. I wonder which "two motels" are scheduled to come down next...

[wildre]

Al,
Disgusting for sure.
I also wish they named the Motels.
Is anyone up to guessing?

re

[Al Alven]

I don't want to speculate, partially because there are still so many left despite all of the demolitions (and it would thus be a crap shoot) and partially because I would be affraid of "jinxing" some of my favorites.

It is probably safe to say that, in the very least, the Caribbean, Cara Mara and Shalimar (all of which are undergoing extensive renovations this offseason) are safe. Though, I guess you can never say for sure.

[wildre]

Al, you have a point

Crap Shoot is right!!!!

re

[FlyinGN]

so sad......

[MMM]

wildre said:

From the 98.7 THE COAST website, don't see anything on the Leaders site. Will it ever end?

4/13/05 - Florist, Pizza Shop, Motels All Coming Down In Crest

Today's Wildwood Leader reports that two more motels, the Wagon Wheel Florist, and Bayside Pizza are all coming down in Wildwood Crest. The Leader says that the planning board in Wildwood Crest approved all of these demolitions, and more, during a marathon meeting back on Thursday, April 7th.

Now, the Leader also reports that some of the plans were approved against opposition and in conflict with the borough's current land use ordinance.

I notice on the Wildwood Crest borough site there are minutes to meetings, but I only found links to Commissioner's Meetings, not the Planning Board (maybe I'm looking in the wrong place?). It'd be interesting to read an unedited transcript, or listen to a recording of the meeting. I wonder who the people were that were in opposition to some of the plans?

[wildre]

3M,
I couldn't find planning zone minutes either, guess they don't scan them, stupid IMHO

If you look at the Council minutes, not much meat there, a very lazy way again, IMHO

re

[MMM]

Thanks anyway!

[AnthonyV]

This town and the people who run it are probably the most "corrupt" I've seen down here. Anyone want to see and experience TRUE organized crime first-hand? Come and live in present day Wildwood Crest!

I'm trying to find out who, what, and when there was ever any demolition that was NOT approved by the WC planning board down here over the last five years.

I think they feel they could become another Avalon, Stone Harbor, or Sea Isle City if they strip the area of these motels. Well, whatever it is they are doing (or should I say "undoing") it's working. This town is slowly but steadily becoming less and less like a place I want to live anymore.

This is why I stand firm behind my belief that as each month goes by and each off season approaches there will be more added to this list of endangered motels. And the sad thing is, there doesn't seem to be a damn thing anyone can do to stop this demolition anymore.

[wildre]

Anthony,
I can certainly understand your feelings. I agree with you, I really don't think North Wildwood is too far behind.
With only 3 elected officials in the Crest, one being the Mayor. As you know he owns Hoffman Real Estate Agency along with his wife. I would love to know how he benefited, personally, from these approvals?
Not to say he's he on the take, but surely his company has gotten their piece of the development? This is my take on it, I don't live in the Crest so Anthony, I'll wait for your response, to see if what I've felt is right.

re

[AnthonyV]

All I know is there has to be some suspect reason WHY things are happening so fast as far as demolition permits go here in the Crest. It's like they actually want these motels to disappear as soon as possible. I mean it's hard NOT to think that way when you realize what buildings have disappeared just over the last year alone!

Perhaps it's just me, but it seems that these buildings are falling down and being replaced at an uncanny rate that seems to defy formal procedure. I doubt that the mayor here is doing anything wrong - I'm sure he's not - but I'm also sure that the loss of so many motels has to be seen as a benefit to any real estate business on this island in one way or another.

I always felt that Diamond Beach area was exclusive enough for more than enough condos and town homes where motels did not need to be demolished at the rate that they have been over the last 5 years. Maybe I'm being overly sentimental about these buildings, but it really is sad to see them approved for demolition at such a rapid rate. It just leaves a horrible tast in your mouth because you can't help but feel that there's going to be a lot more coming down in the not to distant future.

[MMM]

Has there been any progress with the proposed "Doo Wop Historical District" becoming a reality? If that would go through and there were real laws to protect these buildings, I think we all could breathe a little easier, even with the losses we've had (especially over this past year).

Some of you might be familiar with a town called Ridgewood, New Jersey. This is an overall pretty wealthy surburbian town in Northern New Jersey. From what I understand (I live fairly close to it) just try to breathe wrong on one of their buildings they deem historically significant, whether it be a home or whatever, and you wouldn't get away with it. That is what we need in the Wildwoods.

An example from Ridgewood - Ridgewood has a sort of downtown area with lots of shops, restaurants, etc. I was in a somewhat hi-end electronics store there in 1997 when I was talking with the salesperson about the lack of parking (which I wasn't surprised at, but somehow we started talking about it). Well, he starts talking about how he was on some sort of board or something (I don't remember exactly what it was) and that the topic came up of building a parking garage on the site of where a basically unused building was standing. They wouldn't hear of it. That's what I'd like to see for the Wildwoods.

Imagine this sort of thing being in place last year and the following scenario occuring:

"hey, we'd like to knock down the Satellite Motel to build some non-descript condos in that location" and getting a reply of, "no, the Satellite is a historically significant building in Wildwood Crest, of which we will not grant permission for it to be demolished. You may add some buildings to the existing structure that are architecturally appropriate, but no demolition will be allowed".

See?

[AnthonyV]

I'm very familiar with Ridgewood and I would hope that what happened there would be accepted here in Wildwood Crest before it's too late. I won't keep my fingers crossed waiting though....

Ridgewood, I'm sure, was much more genuine and concerned in how they approached their problem while the governing body here in the Crest seems disinterested in any such presrvation.

[shoregirl]

Sounds like it's way past time for ALL of the residents of the entire island to "Vote Out" any officals that are now in office. We need "new blood" that holds a true love of the island. We have been Wildwooders since the late 1940's - the 50's and 60's were truly the "great years" - and it can still be that way today. We need men and women in office that have the "balls" (sorry gals - you have to grow some too) to stand up and actually be a true leader and govern the island!!! Look at South Beach - they love the "Neon" and Doo Wop and their tourist trade is fabulous!!!! Vote the idiots out - it's time for the citizens to take charge and stop the corporate greed!!!! After all the residents are taxpayers and paying the salaries of these greedy fools - as I said in here many times over - they are "slitting their own throats" - the island will die and no longer be a tourist/vacation spot any longer. Just a mass of townhouses and cookie-cutter condos made of "nutsty" plywood. I'm only 51 - but I remember the "good ol' days when officals KNEW how to operate a town and make it flourish!!!!! My husband and I are going to buy a home in the Crest soon - believe me with my mouth - they will hear us!!!! All of these business people that think their ($&(#) doesn't stink are buying up these places only to find out families cannot and will not pay $2,500 to $4,000 to rent a unit for a week and then still have enough money for amusements and other activities on the island. They can go to Florida cheaper or cruises that are all inclusive!!!! Let's get real people - speak up - it's your tax dollars at work!!!! Throw the bums out.