By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Sea Isle City’s former public school, once a centerpiece of the community during its 50-year history, will be torn down in a month or two following the award of a demolition contract Tuesday for the empty building.
The old school at 4501 Park Road will be demolished to make room for development of the city’s proposed $20 million community recreation center on the same site.
“We recently completed asbestos remediation at the building, and this is the next step in our process to ultimately build a new community center at that location,” Mayor Leonard Desiderio said of the demolition plan.
City Council on Tuesday awarded a $354,900 contract to R.E. Pierson Construction Co. Inc. of Pilesgrove, N.J., to tear down the school building. The company has experience demolishing much larger landmarks, including the Sands Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, Virtua Hospital in Voorhees, N.J., and the Goethals Bridge in Elizabeth, N.J.
For the old school, its demolition will end a half-century of history. The school opened in 1971, but closed in 2012 due to Sea Isle’s declining student population.
However, the building got a second life in late 2012 when it became a temporary City Hall after Hurricane Sandy pummeled the city. The police department and other municipal offices moved into the school building following severe damage to the old City Hall.
When Sea Isle’s new City Hall opened in 2015, the old school became largely empty again. Discussions began then about possibly repurposing the building as a community recreation facility or tearing it down altogether.
With the award of the demolition contract, R.E. Pierson is expected to tear down the building in January or February, City Business Administrator George Savastano said in an interview after the Council meeting.
Savastano explained that the project will be done in two phases. First, mounds of dirt will be piled on the site for a few months to go through a process known as “surcharging,” which will allow the soil to become compact enough for the community center to be built on top of it without settling.
The second phase will consist of constructing the community center itself. Savastano anticipates construction will begin by late spring or early summer.
Savastano said it will take about 20 months to complete construction, a schedule that would put the grand opening in early 2025.
The building’s proposed design reflects its dual role as a community center and recreation facility. There will be a large gymnasium, indoor walkway and workout space for recreation. The building will also include space that local community groups could use for meetings, events and other activities.
Preliminary architectural renderings unveiled last year depict a two-story building dominated by a glossy facade and accented by plenty of landscaping. The front entrance will overlook Central Avenue.
The recreation center that will occupy the block between Park Road, Central Avenue, 45th Street and 46th Street.
In the meantime, the former school awaits the arrival of the wrecking ball. The deteriorated building remains closed, with “No Trespassing” signs posted at the front entrance.
Also at Tuesday’s Council meeting, city officials honored Cape May County Commission Director Gerald M. Thornton and Sea Isle’s former AARP Chapter 710 President Frank Roach.
Thornton, 82, an influential figure in Cape May County politics since the 1970s, chose not to seek re-election this year and is retiring.
He originally served as a county freeholder from 1976 to 1987. He returned to office by capturing a seat on the freeholder board in 1995 and then followed up by winning re-election each time before deciding to retire at the end of this year as a county commissioner. The term “freeholder” was changed to commissioner by New Jersey in 2021.
After exchanging hugs, Mayor Desiderio presented Thornton with some Sea Isle-themed mementoes, including a ceremonial key to the city, in recognition of his “long and outstanding career in public service.”
“His service has touched so many people in Cape May County for 40-plus years,” Desiderio said.
Desiderio called Thornton a close friend and mentor. Both men serve together on the county commission board. Desiderio is a county commissioner, in addition to being Sea Isle’s mayor.
“You’ve left large shoes that none of us can ever fill, and we’re forever grateful for the legacy you’ve left of service and commitment to the people of Cape May County,” Desiderio said.
City Council President Mary Tighe also thanked Thornton for his public service and for his help at the county level in orchestrating public projects that benefited Sea Isle.
“We want to recognize you for your many, many years of service and for all you’ve done for Sea Isle,” Tighe said.
In his remarks, Thornton praised the multitude of local and county employees and elected officials for making Cape May County “the envy of the state of New Jersey.” He also thanked the residents of Cape May County for the honor of serving as one of their elected officials.
“After so many years I will say this, quite candidly, it’s pretty emotional for me,” he said of his pending retirement.
Sea Isle officials also recognized former AARP Chapter 710 President Frank Roach and his wife, Barbara, at the Council meeting. Frank Roach was honored for his volunteerism and community leadership.
Desiderio presented Roach with a plaque naming him as an “honorary citizen for life” in Sea Isle. Roach, 82, and his wife, 79, are moving to Harleysville, Pa.
“Thank you very, very much. You’ll always be part of us,” Desiderio said.
Afterward, Frank Roach and Thornton shook hands and congratulated each other for their public service.
“You’re going to be missed, believe me,” Thornton told Roach.
