For months now, Margate residents have been abuzz over the proposed Margate Boardwalk. When Hurricane Sandy tore through the area back in 2012, the New Jersey EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers decided that creating dunes along the Jersey shoreline would help fortify the area in future storms. Two years ago, construction began on their dunes project. Along the way, it hit a few snags. The Margate portion of the project went on hold due to a serious ponding issue. Once they addressed that issue, the project continued. Unfortunately, it went on much longer than expected. And after they finished, many area residents found that their beloved ocean view was now seriously obstructed. That’s when the idea of a new boardwalk came into play and a formal committee was created.
Margate Boardwalk
What Will it Look Like?
Recently, Glenn Klotz with the Margate Boardwalk Committee (MBC) released an artist’s rendering of what the finished boardwalk should look like. He said that approximately 80% of the boardwalk would sit well away from Margate beach homes as well as the bulkhead. It should follow the dunes already in place on the beach and give back that beloved ocean view to anyone walking on it, including those with physical limitations. The boardwalk itself will be wider than its predecessor and sit up above street level. We may even see a park or playground implemented in some of the “dead zones”.
Will it Weather Future Storms?
Unlike its previous incarnation, the dunes and berms currently in place on the beach protect the boardwalk from future hurricanes and major weather issues. Why do they think that? Because the boardwalks in Atlantic City and Ventnor remained undamaged when Hurricane Sandy hit.
Funding
This remains one of the biggest obstacles for boardwalk naysayers. Where will the money come from? A new proposal to fix the Wildwood Boardwalk brought up the possibility of using money from the Transportation Trust Fund to partially pay for the new Margate Boardwalk. Whether that’s a possibility or not is still up in the air. In July, the MBC offered up three possible ideas depending on the size of the boardwalk and amenities wanted. Grants and other financing options would be available. But taxpayers would end up having to pay for some of the expense as well.
What Do You Think?
How do you feel about the possibility of a new boardwalk right here in Margate?. Do you have any ideas on how to fund it? What would you like to see included in the plans? Feel free to express your thoughts in the comments below. All I ask is that everyone is respectful of each other’s comments. Thank you.
Sherri Lilienfeld, Apex Prime Realty, Your Source for Jersey Shore Real Estate