|
|
Post by fuzzyscorpio on Aug 2, 2006 18:59:16 GMT -5
From the current Wildwood Leader:  I guess this is not the Shore Plaza site, it's the next block south, right? What's there now? |
|
|
|
Post by Al Alven on Aug 2, 2006 19:13:55 GMT -5
Right, Kathi, this is the next block south.
The Starlight Resort Hotel is planned for the space where the parking lot behind the Boardwalk between Juniper & Poplar is (bordered by Ocean Ave. to the west).
The lot has always been known as "Hunt's Lot," though I'm not sure whether it has an "official" name or not.
|
|
|
|
Post by fuzzyscorpio on Aug 2, 2006 23:19:58 GMT -5
Glad to hear nothing is being demolished to make way for this... Thanks Al.
|
|
|
|
Post by Al Alven on Aug 2, 2006 23:34:41 GMT -5
That is kind of a refreshing notion, isn't it?
Though, I have to admit (and this is going to sound ridiculous), I think I'm actually going to miss that old Hunt's lot.
It's nothing more than a parking lot, I know, but that lot holds many memories in and of itself for me. This is where my family always parked -- during all of our wintertime trips and in the summer when we prepared to go up on the Boards.
Getting out of the car there, right behind the Shore Plaza, Ocean Theater and Hunt's Pier itself, is truly an integral part of the Wildwood experience for me.
I'll miss it, but it's surely served its purpose. And, I believe the entity replacing it will be a valuable commodity for the Wildwoods.
|
|
|
|
Post by JerseyDigger29 on Aug 3, 2006 16:32:37 GMT -5
That is kind of a refreshing notion, isn't it? Though, I have to admit (and this is going to sound ridiculous), I think I'm actually going to miss that old Hunt's lot. It's nothing more than a parking lot, I know, but that lot holds many memories in and of itself for me. This is where my family always parked -- during all of our wintertime trips and in the summer when we prepared to go up on the Boards. Getting out of the car there, right behind the Shore Plaza, Ocean Theater and Hunt's Pier itself, is truly an integral part of the Wildwood experience for me. I'll miss it, but it's surely served its purpose. And, I believe the entity replacing it will be a valuable commodity for the Wildwoods. Al - I saw an aerial photo of the island taken about 1909. The city block we're talking about here, which eventually encompassed the Hunts Pier parking lot, used to be a baseball field. You could clearly see all the baselines and bases from high in the air. I'll bet when they paved it over for the parking lot, somebody back then said, "Damn, what are they doing to my ball park." Only kidding, but progress, however much we yearn for the past or for what we have now, is sometimes a necessary evil. If anyone can make that meeting for the Starlight next Wednesday - and you support the need for these highrises - please be there and speak out in favor of them. I think the more of us who can tell the DEP to stay out of the Wildwoods and let the people who live here decided what is and is not best for us, the better. We're going to need a lot of supporters to get through to them, I fear. Thom  |
|
|
|
Post by MMM on Aug 3, 2006 22:08:22 GMT -5
Thom, is scaling these buildings down to even 15 stories being considered, if necessary? Do they really need to be 25 stories to be feasible financially? Overall, I do support these (but I can't be there on Wednesday, sorry), but I really think 25 stories is a bit much...
|
|
|
|
Post by thelastresort on Aug 3, 2006 22:42:19 GMT -5
Unfortunately, just don't see how this one could possibly pass if they denied the Rio one. If it does and I was the Rio's lawyer, I would raise holy hell...
|
|
|
|
Post by Doowopper on Aug 4, 2006 10:06:13 GMT -5
Thom, is scaling these buildings down to even 15 stories being considered, if necessary? Do they really need to be 25 stories to be feasible financially? Overall, I do support these (but I can't be there on Wednesday, sorry), but I really think 25 stories is a bit much... I agree. I really think 25 stories would be too overpowering. In my opinion, 15 stories should be the limit. Until now one of the tallest buildings in New Brunswick was 15 stories, and it's huge, even with tall buildings all around it. 25 stories in the very low-rise Wildwoods? I can't see that looking good. I guess we all just have different opinions.  |
|
|
|
Post by JerseyDigger29 on Aug 4, 2006 18:25:14 GMT -5
Thom, is scaling these buildings down to even 15 stories being considered, if necessary? Do they really need to be 25 stories to be feasible financially? Overall, I do support these (but I can't be there on Wednesday, sorry), but I really think 25 stories is a bit much... I agree. I really think 25 stories would be too overpowering. In my opinion, 15 stories should be the limit. Until now one of the tallest buildings in New Brunswick was 15 stories, and it's huge, even with tall buildings all around it. 25 stories in the very low-rise Wildwoods? I can't see that looking good. I guess we all just have different opinions. To all - Only NW is allowing 15 stories (Still hasn't been approved officially by NW council. I don't think Wildwood wants anything less than 250 feet. They just changed the ordinance to make 250 feet for these kinds of buildings mandatory, or something like that, in the hopes of strengthing the case with the DEP. The only way they'll lower it to 150 is if CAFRA says that's the only way it's going to happen. CAFRA just approved the Grande at Diamond Beach; what is that, 120 or 150? So if they approved the Grande, they can't disapprove 15 stories in Wildwood, although like I said, Wildwood doesn't want 150, they want 250. |
|
|
|
Post by fuzzyscorpio on Aug 4, 2006 20:52:33 GMT -5
I emphatically agree with Martin and Doowopper, lower is better. I'm not opposed to hotels and condotels in the city of Wildwood, but huge high-rises are not compatible with the goal of preserving some continuity of character for the town. They also have other disadvantages, including safety drawbacks, strain on municipal services as the DEP noted in its recent denial, and just plain concentrating too many visitors in one spot. And they're anti-competitive.
I'll bet very few officials in Wildwood really want incongruous 25-story hotels. But that convention center is like a great big baby seagull crying feed me, feed me... When you have a facility like that they think you have to have big properties with big room blocks to serve the convention groups. I'll bet they've got Hilton and Ramada and Sheraton people in their ears saying that's what Wildwood needs--because it's what their formulas say will be profitable. For the hotel operator, the ratio of revenues to costs probably gets better as you add floors to a tower.
If Wildwood could make up its room deficit by attracting a larger number of smaller, say 6 to 12 story lodging facilities instead of a few monster hotels , I am sure it would be better for the town in the long run. The quick and easy fix, as we all know, usually ends up being the wrong choice.
|
|
|
|
Post by MMM on Aug 5, 2006 22:28:13 GMT -5
I don't think Wildwood wants anything less than 250 feet. They just changed the ordinance to make 250 feet for these kinds of buildings mandatory, or something like that, in the hopes of strengthing the case with the DEP. The only way they'll lower it to 150 is if CAFRA says that's the only way it's going to happen. Thom, do you know why the City feels these really need to be 250 feet? |
|
helen
Junior Member
Posts: 62
|
Post by helen on Aug 7, 2006 20:49:22 GMT -5
Wow - 25 floors - That is big!
Anyone going please give us the details. I will be very interested in what happens.
|
|
