Rescue Plan for Sea Isle Landmark is Rejected

By Donald Wittkowski An attempt by two prominent businessmen to save the Townsends Inlet Civic Center from foreclosure appears to have fallen through, dealing another setback to the financially troubled Sea Isle City landmark. Business partners Christopher Glancey and Bob Morris, who have developed millions of dollars in retail, residential and restaurant projects in the city’s Townsends Inlet section, had wanted to preserve the civic center as a community hub. Glancey and Morris, however, were unsuccessful in reaching agreement to buy a tax sale certificate for the civic center from an entity called Pro Cap 4 LLC. Marc Rubinsohn, of Voorhees, Camden County, is said to be the investor behind Pro Cap 4. Rubinsohn rejected an offer of about $22,000 from Glancey and Morris for the tax certificate, raising the possibility that the civic center will now be sold off for redevelopment, Glancey said. “We made an offer and he said no. He just wasn’t interested,” Glancey said. Rubinsohn acquired the tax certificate for the civic center after the building’s current owner, the Townsends Inlet Improvement Association, failed to pay its property taxes. The tax certificate, a lien against the property, gives Rubinsohn the power to foreclose on the center and take possession. Although the civic center is fighting for its survival now, it has a storied history as a cultural landmark, community hub and entertainment venue. A plaque on the facade indicates the building dates to 1888. For years, it hosted concerts, dances, beauty pageants, church services, pancake breakfasts, flea markets, holiday celebrations and many other special events. As long as foreclosure looms, the fate of the civic center is uncertain. The building is located on 85^th Street about a block from the beach, a prime location that could be tempting to condominium developers. George Savastano, Sea Isle’s business administrator, said the center is located in an area zoned for mixed-use development. That would give developers the option of building a commercial project or condos in place of the center. Savastano said the city would prefer to see the civic center remain as a community asset, but noted that the building remains privately owned. “At this point, we’re kind of out of it,” Savastano said of the city’s involvement. “It’s private property.” Paula Doll, Sea Isle’s chief financial officer and tax collector, explained that it would require final approval from state Superior Court before the lienholder takes possession of the civic center through foreclosure. She wasn’t aware whether the court has done that yet. Earlier this year, the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization discussed the possibility of applying for a historic restoration grant to refurbish the civic center and keep it going as a community site. Glancey is the Chamber’s president. The center’s weather-beaten exterior suggests that the building needs a major overhaul. Chamber of Commerce officials are unsure of the condition of the interior because the doors are locked and no one has been able to get a peek inside recently. Separate from the Chamber’s efforts, Glancey and Morris had proposed to buy the tax certificate from Rubinsohn to give the civic center and the Townsends Inlet Improvement Association some time to regroup from their financial troubles. The association’s financial crisis began several years ago when it failed to file the required paperwork to maintain its tax-exempt status, forcing Sea Isle to begin taxing the civic center property as required by law. City officials said the association owes more than $45,000 in local taxes. Glancey said if he and Morris were able to acquire the tax certificate, the next step would be for the association to file paperwork to regain its tax-exempt status. The civic center would then remain under the control of a tax-exempt entity. Glancey stressed he had no plans to own the building himself. Morris and Glancey are best known as the developers who are transforming the sleepy Townsends Inlet section with a series of high-end housing and commercial projects. Last year, they opened the trendy Dunes restaurant, banquet and condominium complex on Landis Avenue between 86^th and 87^th streets. They are currently developing two other projects on Landis Avenue near the Dunes that will combine upscale retail, restaurant and condo space.