2020 had been one for the books in some of the worst ways, but despite this, all of us - along with the entire team at City Hall - have made amazing progress with more to come. We would like to thank every City department and all of our outside contractors for their expertise in the various projects listed below. More importantly, we would like to thank our residents, businesses and visitors for entrusting us to make Wildwood the greatest place to live, work and play.

Here is a year in review...and it is only October. This is not an exhaustive list - more is in the works.

As always, we are happy to take questions and comments on this blog, by email infowildwoodnj@gmail.com or by telephone at City Hall 609-846-2000. Each and every question or comment will be acknowledged by this administration. Thank you!

JANUARY

• New Administration is sworn in

• President Trump Rally 1/28/20

FEBRUARY

MARCH

• Covid-19 Shutdown begins 3/16/20

Project Name: Pacific Avenue Flood Resiliency Project

Completion: Fall of 2022

Costs: 24M with a 15M grant from NJ Department of Environmental Protection

Description/Location: This project includes:

1. Removal of six outfalls on the beach between Cresse Ave and Spicer Ave

2. New pump station at Leaming Ave

3. New pipe from to Cresse Ave to Spicer Ave on Ocean Ave that collects side street storm water along from Pacific Ave East

Status:

· Project is awarded

· 2-year project

· The next two phases are being planned

APRIL

• Promotion Fire Dept Chief Troiano & Deputy Chief Dunn

MAY

• Unlocking the Ocean 5/22/20 cancelled; Summer begins

• New beach safety signs

• Improve efficiency of operations for our public safety departments island wide.

• Rio Grande Improvements complete including left turn signal at New Jersey and Rio Grande Avenue

• Accepted the Ferrara Fire Truck, bought and paid for by the County. This is a part of the RUST program so there was zero out of pocket expense for Wildwood taxpayers.

JUNE

• Black Lives Matter Peace Rally attended by chief administration.

• Pacific Avenue Mall was granted in an effort to offset business losses caused by Covid-19 restrictions.

• Boardwalk Repairs (due to normal wear and tear plus an April 2020 storm) were complete at no cost to taxpayers thanks to GWTIDA’s $150,000; the City of Wildwood, GWTIDA and the Wildwoods Boardwalk Special Improvement District, Management Corporation (WSID secured approximately $320,000.

JULY

• A steering committee was formed for joint Fire Services for the Island: facilities, equipment and manpower throughout the Wildwoods Fire departments and EMT. The LEAP Challenge Grant funds this study.

• Wildwood Fire Department (WFD) received two AFG awards from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). One is rare, but two is unheard of!

• PPE for COVID-related activities.

• Power cots for ambulances and the required installation.

• In each instance, the amount awarded reflects the 95% federal share, leaving just 5% of the project cost to be covered locally ($864 for the COVID award and $5,122 for the power cots award).

AUGUST

• Blessing of the Sea 8/14/20

• Mayor Byron along with Commissioners Mikulski and Fitzsimons approved some much-needed roadway improvements to alleviate drainage issues that have long plagued the neighborhoods along Lake Road, Susquehanna Avenue, Hand Avenue, Bennett Avenue and Hildreth Avenue.

• The project includes replacing utility infrastructure and road resurfacing, curb and sidewalk improvements (including ADA compliance to add handicap ramps) and upgrading the storm drainage system. Upon its completion, the roads will be under a 5-year moratorium - meaning that no additional road construction will be permitted.

• The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $38,000 to prepare design concepts for a pedestrian walkway within the City of Wildwood.

Project Name: 1a

Completion: Spring 2022

Costs: Approximately 4M Financed by NJ Infrastructure Trust

Location: Miscellaneous locations within Cresse Ave and Hand Ave and Lake Road to Park Blvd

Description: Various improvements include replacing sanitary and water mains as well as upgrading storm water piping. Includes street repaving at various locations. This project includes resurfacing the road and replacing utility infrastructure. Upon completion, the roads will be under a 5-year moratorium; no road opening will be permitted.

Status: Estimated start August 1, 2020

SEPTEMBER

• Selling off old City vehicles continues. This is a cost savings to City taxpayers.

Project Name: West Side Bulkheads

Completion: TBD

Costs: TBD

Location: Cresse Ave to 26th Ave

Description: Review all street end bulkheads. Apply for state and/or federal funding.

Status: Bulkhead survey to be completed by Fall 2020

Mural on water tower complete

Rio Grande pump station working

Received SP+ rating

OCTOBER

• Pacific Avenue Redevelopment meetings

Project Name: 2a

Completion: Spring 2022

Costs: Approximately 8M Financed by NJ Infrastructure Trust

Location: Taylor Ave to Davis Ave, Niagara Ave to Park Blvd

Description: Various improvements include replacing sanitary and water mains as well as upgrading storm water piping. Includes street repaving at various locations.

Status: Estimated start October 1, 2020

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Project Name: City Streetlight Upgrade

Completion: December 2020

Costs: $140,000

Location: Citywide

Description: Changing city street lights to LED. LED lights require less maintenance and use less energy which will yield long-term savings to the city’s taxpayers. This also includes roadway and drainage for Mediterranean Susquehanna, Hudson, Taylor, Andrew and Burk Ave. This project also includes resurfacing the road and replacing utility infrastructure. Upon completion, these roads will be under a 5-year moratorium = no road opening will be permitted.

Status: Work underway

The City of Wildwood is investigating green initiatives and is presently awaiting a facility energy review for solar energy to reduce City electric bills