NORTH WILDWOOD PROJECT UPDATES – WINTER 2024

The 2024 summer season is fast approaching, and there are numerous ongoing and scheduled improvement projects that will soon be ready to welcome thousands of residents and visitors.

Streets & Utilities Reconstruction

In early fall 2023, the City started work to improve water and sewer utilities on 100 E. and portions of 100 W. 5th Ave. The utilities have since been replaced and the contractor has completed the first coat of paving. The remaining work is expected to be completed by April 2024.

Other areas of road and utility reconstruction expected to begin soon include multiple portions of Atlantic Ave. The reconstruction work will include Atlantic Ave. from 1st-4th Ave. and 6th-8th Ave. This project will also include reconstruction of 200 E. 7th Ave. The contracts were recently awarded by City Council, and contractors are expected to break ground shortly. Anticipated completion of these projects is mid-May 2024. The total cost of both projects is around $2.45 million, with the City of Wildwood Water Utility sharing in paying a portion of the total cost.

Gold Star Memorial and Gateway Enhancement

Preparations are underway for the City to begin the 1st phase of the Gold Star Memorial and Gateway Enhancement project, which is intended to upgrade the entrance to the island while also paying homage to all Veterans, living and deceased, who have made the ultimate sacrifice to the United States of America.

Phase 1 will mainly focus on improvements to Veterans’ Park, which will encompass the addition of three (3) monuments, including the first Gold Star Monument in New Jersey, a new and improved VFW Monument, and an Armed Services Branch Monolith. It will also include improved lighting with banners, landscaping and traffic/parking improvements, and other amenities.

The contract will be awarded at the upcoming City Council meeting, with construction expected to begin shortly after. A majority of the work is anticipated to be completed prior to Memorial Day 2024, with final touches expected to be done June 2024.

Pending final approval from the Cape May County Board of Commissioners, the City will receive $1.75 million from the Open Space Board to fund Phase 1 of the project, to go along with funding already received from the NJDCA and our Veterans Committee. The total cost of Phase 1 is estimated at $3.57 million.

North Wildwood Boardwalk Reconstruction

The City is currently working on finalizing plans to reconstruct the North Wildwood portion of the Boardwalk. Phase 1 of reconstruction, which includes the northern end of the boardwalk between 16th and 18th Avenues is anticipated to begin in Fall 2024. The cost for the Phase 1 is estimated at $3.5 million. In the meantime, the City will work during that time to monitor and sure up any areas that require immediate attention.

Prior to reconstruction in the area, the City will be constructing a new ADA accessible ramp to the boardwalk on the beach side of 22nd Ave., directly north of Seaport Pier. A majority of the cost for this ramp will be funded by the NJ DCA Small Cities Grant. The ramp is anticipated to be in place by summer 2024.

The current anticipated cost for the full reconstruction in North Wildwood is approximately $34 million. To alleviate the costs, the City has received grant awards so far from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the NJ Urban Enterprise Zone. The City has also applied for PROTECT Grant with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Boardwalk Preservation Fund with the NJ Department of Community Affairs, but have not received news on an award at this time.

NJDOT Back Bay Dredge

The New Jersey Department of Transportation and their contractor, Mobile Dredging & Video Pipe, Inc., are currently in the 1st phase of their back bay dredge project. This project will dredge fine sand and silt from Beach Creek 1, Beach Creek 2, Ottens Canal Channel, Ottens Canal Lagoon Channel, Ottens Harbor Channel, Post Creek, and West Wildwood Channels.

Three (3) staging areas are set up for the dredging, including two (2) in North Wildwood, one at 401 & 501 W. 26th Ave., and the other at the 5th Ave. Boat Ramp parking lot. The process of pumping sand and silt is now underway. Anticipated completion of pumping sand and trucking from the 5th Ave. Boat Ramp is set for April 2024, while the work at the other sites are set to be completed by May 2024.

For further information on the Back Bay Dredge, please reach out to dot-ccr.communityrelations@dot.nj.gov.

New Jersey Ave. Reconstruction/Road Diet Project

Cape May County is advertised for a project on New Jersey Ave. which includes road reconstruction and implementation of a road diet. The purpose of this project is to improve the drainage and roadway surface in the area, along with safety improvements for vehicular and pedestrian traffic around the North Wildwood Entertainment District. Expanded width sidewalks, new traffic markings, crosswalks, and a traffic signal will be installed as a part of this project. The

work is set to begin in early March, with a majority of the work to be completed by Memorial Day weekend 2024. Final touch-ups are anticipated to be complete by mid-June.