Sea Isle Introduces $9.5 Million Bond Ordinance for Capital Projects

Sea Isle City took the first step Tuesday to finance an array of capital projects, including a new stormwater pumping station to help protect the island from flooding and more decorative lighting for the oceanfront Promenade.

"As I've stated before, one of the core missions of local government is the maintenance and improvement of the city's public assets and infrastructure, and today's actions help to ensure we accomplish that mission," Mayor Leonard Desiderio said in a statement at the City Council meeting.

Voting 4-0, Council introduced a $9.5 million bond ordinance to fund the capital projects and other public improvements. A public hearing and final vote are scheduled for the Feb. 25 Council meeting.

Among the projects, the ordinance includes $3 million for a new stormwater pumping station that will serve the flood-prone area between 43rd and 46th streets and the continuation of the city's road paving program, Desiderio said.

Pumping stations intercept floodwater and channel it back into the bay much faster than it would normally take to drain off the streets after a coastal storm. They have proved effective in Ocean City, Avalon and other shore communities vulnerable to flooding.

Sea Isle built its first pumping station in 2019 in the flood-prone area at the bay end of 38th Street and Sounds Avenue. It will next shift its focus on sections of Landis Avenue that are hit by stormwater.

   Most of Sea Isle's first pumping station, at the bay end of 39th Street, is built underground.   

For 2025, the city plans to build a pumping station to protect the Landis Avenue corridor between 43rd and 46th streets all the way to the bay.

The area for the new pumping station will include the site of the city's new $21 million community recreation center, which is scheduled to open in the fall between Park Road and Central Avenue from 45th to 46th streets.

Another big-ticket project funded by the bond ordinance is a $2 million overhaul for the Promenade, a popular gathering point for walkers, bikers and tourists during the summer season and venue for some of the city's biggest special events.

Desiderio said the Promenade will undergo structural repairs and other improvements. Although the city is fronting the money, it will ultimately be reimbursed for the $2 million from the state's Boardwalk Preservation Fund, he noted.

The Promenade will also be spruced up with $850,000 in new decorative lighting at the northern and southern ends of the walkway. The project will complete the city's multiyear lighting program to make the entire 1.5-mile Promenade more inviting.

   More decorative lighting will be added to the Promenade.   

Other major projects that are part of the $9.5 million bond ordinance include:

• $875,000 for a new fire truck and equipment for the Sea Isle Fire Department
• $800,000 for construction of handicap-accessible ramps to the beach in the north end of town near Fifth Street, along with a beach pavilion at that location. Ultimately, the city will be reimbursed for the project from the Cape May County Open Space program.
• $480,000 for a new trash truck and beach-cleaning equipment for the Public Works Department.
• $250,000 for lighting at Excursion Park.
• And $200,000 for replacement of the fuel depot at the Public Works garage.