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Wildwoods put UEZ funds to good use
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WILDWOOD - Several large projects are planned this year around the Wildwoods thanks to money collected through the island's Urban Enterprise Zone, or UEZ, program.
The UEZ was established here in fall 2002, and since then millions of dollars have been collected through the program. Qualifying businesses in the UEZ can charge half of the state's 7 percent sales tax, and the money collected from the reduced tax is returned to the municipality for local projects.
Since 2002, Wildwood has amassed $6.23 million in UEZ funds, North Wildwood has collected $1.98 million, West Wildwood has collected $477,756 and Wildwood Crest has collected $252,959.
Among the most expensive projects is a $4 million Boardwalk renovation in Wildwood that involves rebuilding the Boardwalk from the ground up between Cedar and Oak avenues. Construction is likely to start this fall.
This phase of the ongoing Boardwalk renovation follows the first phase in that began at Schellenger Avenue.
Another Boardwalk-related project is a joint effort by North Wildwood and Wildwood to update an antiquated public address system along the 2 miles of boards.
Ferrara said $212,000 is budgeted for that work, but bids for the project are expected to be rejected after coming in higher than expected.
Patrick Rosenello, executive director of the Wildwoods Boardwalk Special Improvement District, said the two towns decided to put UEZ money to work to replace a system that is functional, but limited.
Currently, each town operates a separate public address system and both are what Rosenello called "cutting-edge 1974 technology."
A new system would link the towns making joint announcements possibly, especially important when a lost child is reported or some other emergency develops, Rosenello said.
West Wildwood is making use of UEZ money in a project that should actually help add to the UEZ's coffers.
The borough requested $50,000 to remove an old railroad trestle that had made it difficult for larger boats to access some of the community's marinas.
Those marinas and their boat sales are the primary source of revenue for the borough's UEZ fund.
Mayor Herbert Frederick said the trestle has been removed, widening the area along the bay accessible to boats from 12 feet to 60 feet.
The railroad trestle dated back to the 1900s.
"This was a cooperative effort between the borough and the businesses," Frederick said.
He hopes wider access will make it possible for the island's marinas to sell larger boats, which in turn will add revenue for the UEZ.
Wildwood Crest also is looking at UEZ money as a way to increase business, particularly along New Jersey Avenue at cardinal Road.
The borough requested about $6,500 to study design concepts that would make the area more conducive to shopping.
Ferrara said the many projects are good examples of how the UEZ funds are being used.
"They are to fund projects the municipalities wouldn't have the money to do," he said.
E-mail Trudi Gilfillian:
Posted in Cape_may on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 3:05 am
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