The vision thing: all-season vs. heritage tourism

[fuzzyscorpio]

... we know that heritage tourism is growing in popularity and it is directly linked to the uniqueness of a tourist site.

--The Doo Wop Preservation League FAQ

Sounds like some kind of a vision, right? But elsewhere on the DWPL site, on a page heralding the arrival of the Doo Wop Museum, we read:

The museum will be located directly across the street from the Wildwoods Convention Center and will serve as another great addition to the Wildwoods' tourism industry as we build America's greatest year round resort and recreation destination.

So the DWPL, too, has jumped on the all-season bandwagon.

The comprehensive mission statement on its "About Us" page says:

What separates the efforts of the Doo Wop Preservation League from traditional historic preservation efforts is that we are not simply advocating preservation for preservation's sake alone (though certainly a noble cause in itself). In addition to preserving authentic mid-century architecture, our goal is to educate local politicians, business owners and prospective investors in the Wildwoods on how the theme and spirit of Doo Wop, in conjunction with the architecture, can be used to cultivate a distinctive resort character for the Wildwoods - one that can't be duplicated anywhere else in the world. We feel the Wildwoods have a very unique (and perhaps once-in-a-lifetime) opportunity to become something very special by capitalizing on our uniquely preserved heritage. As our long-neglected island is now the subject of intense redevelopment pressure, it is our hope that people both inside and outside of the Wildwoods can come to understand and appreciate the way in which the colorful, quirky, exuberant designs of our Doo Wop past can be a major part of an exciting, prosperous future and help guide the Wildwoods towards the realization of this vision before it's too late. (emphasis mine, of course)

This is a statement worthy of a political platform, with tons of wiggle room. Exactly what, for instance, makes midcentury architecture "authentic"? I know this is not a legal document, it's a PR piece, but that word "authentic" quacks like a loophole to me And... maybe it's me... but doesn't "noble" sound like a euphemism for "quixotic," or maybe just plain "pointless"?

Bottom line... I'd be interested to hear thoughts about whether the two major concepts represented in these statements--the notion of cultivating "heritage tourism" and the fantasy (at this point) of developing the island into a year-round resort--ultimately are compatible, and if so, how so? For example... is it really possible to winterize a place like the Sea Gull or the Pyramid? At what cost, and can that cost possibly be recouped in a hospitality market that includes a glut of rental condos and, eventually I assume, monster high-rise condotels?

Or are we meant to ultimately settle for the cold comfort of the Doo Wop Museum as a resting place for all the fossilized remains of old motels that will never be able to compete in the 21st century Wildwoods?

How about some thoughts from whoever it is that's looking at buying the Gold Crest? Not that we expect you to take off the public mask yet, of course

[Doowopper]

Fuzzyscorpio, I am no expert on motels, and how tolerable they are in the winter, but I know many of the larger motels in the Wildwoods, such as the Beau Rivage, have Central AC/Heat. These motels could easily stay open all winter, if there are people to fill the rooms.

I imagine most motels (especially the larger ones) can be easily converted to have central AC/Heat, since most have drop cielings where ventalation pipes could be placed. If that's not possible I believe they have units that go in the wall and can function both as AC and heat.

Many people wish Wildwood could be a year-round resort. I honestly don't see that happening, at least not anytime soon. When a corporation can have a conference in the balmy tropics in the dead of winter, why would the choose the frozen Wildwoods, when the prices are not that much different. One of my barbers goes to Mexico for the same price we pay to go to Wildwood.

As for the monster condotels, who knows. It appears that getting them built will not be as smooth as once thought, but I really have no clue about those either. They are a stupid idea if you ask me.

[fuzzyscorpio]

doowopper2 said:

Fuzzyscorpio, I am no expert on motels, and how tolerable they are in the winter, but I know many of the larger motels in the Wildwoods, such as the Beau Rivage, have Central AC/Heat. These motels could easily stay open all winter, if there are people to fill the rooms.

Hmm, that's true. A lot of them do have heat already. Wildwood nights got pleasantly chilly back in the day, though not so much now... But I wonder if the existing systems would be good enough for a January night.

I imagine most motels (especially the larger ones) can be easily converted to have central AC/Heat, since most have drop cielings where ventalation pipes could be placed. If that's not possible I believe they have units that go in the wall and can function both as AC and heat.

The individual-unit option sounds expensive. But I know squat about either the mechanics or the economics of heating-ventilation-A/C systems. It's been a major obstacle in my intermittent search for a house. All that basement apparatus scares the crap out of me

Does anybody on the forum happen to work with heating systems? What sort of updating might these places need for year-round use?

Many people wish Wildwood could be a year-round resort. I honestly don't see that happening, at least not anytime soon. When a corporation can have a conference in the balmy tropics in the dead of winter, why would the choose the frozen Wildwoods, when the prices are not that much different. One of my barbers goes to Mexico for the same price we pay to go to Wildwood.

It's got a loooooong way to go for sure. Even if it is the best thing for the Wildwoods, I selfishly hope it doesn't happen in my lifetime. I love biker weekend, but the idea of the Wildwoods being taken over by really big conventions every weekend is a bummer.

As for the monster condotels, who knows. It appears that getting them built will not be as smooth as once thought

Hope you're right about that too. I share your view that at the very least, the grandiose condotel plans involving 25-story heights need to be scaled down. Party culture aside (and I have nothing against that ) the Wildwoods have always been basically a kinder, gentler place to escape to. "Quaint" in thelastresort's word. I agree with him that that quality needs to be protected. The big highrises will violate it.