Sea Isle introduces plan to spruce up entry corridor
By BRIAN IANIERI
SEA ISLE CITY – A new downtown marina building. An expanded veterans memorial park. A study of solar energy.
City Council introduced a $3.6 million spending plan this week, borrowing money to fund an ambitious and expensive beach-to-bay corridor plan near John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
The bond ordinance includes about $1.2 million for a marina building at the city’s waterfront near the Sea Isle City Bridge, lighting and landscaping work there, as well as about $700,000 for a possible expansion of a veterans memorial park and restrooms.
Money also is set aside for a solar energy study and the purchase of vehicles for police, emergency management and public works.
The ordinance faces a public hearing Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. in the Public Safety Building.
“People say when you enter your town, if you can come up with a ‘wow’ sentiment, you’ve done a major task,” City Council President William Kehner said. “We’re looking at that, with what can be done with our corridor.”
Kehner said the city is not yet committed to spending all the money set aside in the bond ordinance. A proposal to expand an existing veterans memorial along John F. Kennedy Boulevard may rely on federal or state funding, he said.
“In this down economy, some are thinking if we don’t get grants for some of the work, we’ll keep what we have and do what we can with what we have,” he said. “We’re in that phase, putting the money forward so that it could be utilized. If it will be still needs to be fully determined.”
