A mission, if you choose to accept...

[Doo Wop Mike D]

Guys,

Consider this a homework assignment...

Contact the motel owners... send e-mails, write letters, make phone calls... (if I had to pick one, letter writing may be the most effective)...

Express to the owners how much interest exists out there for these buildings, not so much in terms of sentimentality (as much as Wildwood loyalists want things to stay the same, sentimentality is not good business) but in terms of the increasing interest in mid-20th century architecture and culture around the country and how that defines the identity of the Wildwoods... let them know that while they might not see the beauty in their buildings, they are demolishing structures that have received more national and international publicity in recent years than any other strip of resort architecture on the East Coast outside of South Beach...

Let them know there are other options besides selling to condo developers (and one condo developer in particular, but thats another story...) Tell them to consider condo conversion of their existing building (which in the current real estate market, would likely generate even more profit than selling to a developer for tear-down) Tell them to contact the Doo Wop Preservation League and see if we might be able to find a buyer and/or group of investors who would be interested in matching a developer's offer for their property (and we do have potential investors lined up)... Tell them to look no further than the Caribbean Motel for an example of how these buildings can be restored, rejuvinated and re-invented for a new generation as some of the area's most unique and "hip" little hotels...

In short, let these owners know just how much national and international interest there is in these buildings and how it is so incredibly wasteful and tragic for the community to lose these buildings for no reason when there are many other ways to get an equal or even greater return on the value of your property besides selling to a condo developer who will tear the building down and build something completely inappropriate in its place.

And of course, keep the tone of the letters kind and genuine, not abrasive or angry... and do not write on behalf of the DWPL, but rather, on behalf of yourselves... the many, many individuals out there... residents, tourists, architecture fans, etc... who understand what Doo Wop is all about... many motel owners who are opposing the preservation movement simply don't understand what we're trying to accomplish (we don't want to prevent them from maximizing their property's resale value) and the voice of the DWPL board is starting to fall on deaf ears in Wildwood Crest... it would be more effective to get more individual letters sent directly to the motel owners... right now, they are only hearing it from the DWPL, and that's not enough... we need to generate more popular support for this movement and this is one way to get the ball rolling... as much as Doo Wop has been covered in the media and pretty much everyone from the outside that's talking about Wildwood these days is talking about Doo Wop, the people on the inside just don't see it (and don't really pay attention to the outside) so that's why we really need to get more dialogue going with the owners themselves... and of course it never hurts to drop a line to the Crest commissioners as well...

Martin mentioned the Kona Kai in another thread on the "motels" board which struck a nerve... I don't know the current status of the motel, but when I spoke with the owner of the Kona Kai last year (and he's a nice guy), I was trying to explain the concept of condo conversion and he really didn't seem to understand it, basically admitting that if a developer came along and made him a good offer, he'd sell... he's certainly entitled to take whatever money he can get, but the point is, these motel owners need to be educated about other profitable options such as condo conversion and should sell to a developer only as an absolute last resort... (and they need to hear it from voices other than the DWPL)

I can post a list of contact info for various motels if that would be helpful... let me know what you guys all think and if you have any other ideas...

-Mike D

[SirCaz]

Plese post that contact list and I will start sending letters. If it has contact names it might not fall on deaf ears, rather then just sending them to "owner of". If enough letters hit their mailboxes they might even start to listen. I might even pay visits to some when I come done in June.

[wildre]

Great idea Mike.
Also the Spout Off, in the Herald, who doesn't read that? You can submit your comments vis email from anywhere in the World. Turn up the heat on them
Wonder if the Lollipop folks and the Caribbean Motel could put what it took them for a condo conversion in journal form, telling those owners what it took and the rewards of doing it? I'm sure funkychic has lots of insight as well.
I know the Russos' from Cool Scoops, spent time with the McDonald's owner, while he was redesigning his Rio Grand store, in a DooWop theme.
Yes post the contact list, maybe by those the DWPL feel are most in immediate danger first. Maybe also what ones the DWPL feel are most important in preserving, I know they all are but we won't get 100%, money speaks loudly.
Mike, has the DWPL moved, went over to Pine Ave and there's a developement group in your former space? What a downer Where are you now, would love to come visit.

re

[Al Alven]

I’m on board for this, Mike.

I have written to numerous motel owners in the past (about this and other matters) and I generally get a good response. I’m sure, in the very least, the majority of them will listen to our concerns. Even if we make just “small gains” here and there, it could add up to something substantial in the long run. The power of the pen is not to be underestimated!

I think, in addition to writing to current motel owners, we should also look to contact various potential condo builders as well. We can’t stop the inevitable selling of some or all of these old motels, but our quest for Doo Wop preservation should not end there. If we can convince even a small percentage of condo developers to either maintain their properties and run them as “condotels” or build some sort of neo-Doo Wop condo establishment in their place, it would be a big win for our cause.

Also, in another thread, Mike touched on the importance of attracting and educating potential “outside” investors who might be interested in helping to preserve the Wildwoods’ architectural history and culture. It might be a far-flung idea, but why not draw up a list of “eccentric millionaires,” well known “playboys” and other, uh, high profile rich people (particularly those who have shown an interest in mid-century architecture in the past) and write to them?

You never know… Even if, say, one person we write to doesn’t have an interest, he may have a friend who has a friend who has a racquet ball partner who knows a country club owner who knows a guy who might be interested in purchasing and preserving a classic mid-century property. The more we write and the more we help to get the word about our cause out there, the higher the likelihood that we will find someone who shares our passion.

Perhaps it would take just one “mega stunt” (like Mike’s thought about the demolition of condos and the building of a new super-sized Satellite Motel) to get the ball rolling. Imagine the publicity that such an event would garner. Yes, it’s a longshot, but it is possible. The Wildwoods will most likely get plenty of pub for the construction of the three proposed 25-story Neo-Doo Wop hotels that are scheduled to be built following this season.

Combine the good public relations sure to accompany those events with news of interest from outside investors of sinking big money into preserving some of the classic motels and/or investing in their own Neo-Doo Wop developments, and things could really take off. The time is right, and the Wildwoods still have so, so much potential. It would be a near tragedy to see an opportunity to improve and promote the island like this pass by with no positive action taken.

[wildwanderer]

;DGreat Idea!! Keep us informed on the list and we won't let Wildwood down!!

[Doowopper]

Well, if I ever one the lottery I can tell you Wildwood Crest would be short many an oceanfront condo, anyway, I plan to take a more "reality" way to eventually oen a propert somewhere in the wildwoods, and will work my butt of for it. Anyway, I'll be sure to send some e-mails.

[MMM]

Mike,

Do you think it would still be worthwhile to write to the owners of a place like the Hi-Lili which is on the demolition list for next year? Do you think an owner in that situation could possibly end the deal and decide to do something with the property that would allow it to be spared?