Columbia Avenue/Fichter
CAPE MAY — The Cape May National Historic Landmark District has been placed on the “Watch List” of the National Park Service.
The “Watch List” is for National Historic Districts that face anticipated actions or circumstances that likely would cause a loss of integrity. A city remains on the list until “impending actions or circumstances are mitigated or eliminated.”
Criteria for being placed on the Watch List may include, but are not limited to:
• Districts that are facing anticipated, planned new construction that is insensitive, inappropriate, or incompatible, or that may destroy view sheds and cultural landscapes.
• Zoning actions and permits that may damage the integrity of the Landmark or its historic view shed or cultural landscape, alterations or other actions that do not meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines, according to the National Park Service.
Other criteria for being placed on the Watch List: damaging uses, including noise or light pollution that may result in loss of historic ambience, deferred maintenance, erosion or weathering that may damage the material integrity of the Landmark, proposed abandonment or designation as surplus that may threaten the property’s long-term survival, sale, with no certainty of preservation. It notes “consideration under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act should be listed as watch if an adverse effect is anticipated.”
The National Park Service website has listed Cape May on the Watch List with the explanation: “Recent development and rehabilitation efforts in the historic district are potentially detrimental to the landmark’s historic character. Concerns from local and federal preservation interests necessitate a change in status.”
On its threatened historic landmarks website, it lists Cape May with the explanation: “Cape May Historic District – incompatible new construction,incompatible uses.”
Cape May’s listing notes: “ With over 600 summer homes, hotels and commercial structures, this venerable seashore resort has one of the largest collections of 19th century frame buildings remaining in the United States.”
Local preservationists have complained about the design of the new Convention Hall and the possibility of the Beach Theatre being demolished.
Resident Barbara Skinner also pointed a finger at a proposal to build 85 residential units on 18 acres in East Cape May as a settlement between East Cape Associates and the state Department of Environmental Protection.
“All that new construction in the near future, if they’re successful, will only put the knife in the back of the designation for Cape May,” she told the Herald.
Cape May received its designation as a National Historic Landmark May 11, 1976. The designation covers the entire town including the beach, according to the original document.