The ongoing facelift of Lucy the Elephant in Margate was supposed to be finished by Memorial Day 2022. Sadly, that’s not going to happen. Completion is now slated for sometime in August of 2022.
Lucy the Elephant Executive Director Richard Helfant told News 12 New Jersey:
The project started in September 2021. Originally thought scaffolding would take about six weeks to erect – it took 15 weeks. We had delays on materials, a labor strike and the worst weather in recent memory as far as wind.
Rich Helphant
Original cost to repair Lucy was $1.4 million. Now, that expense has soared to $1.9 million.
Lucy’s metal skin is being replaced with stronger materials.
Lucy the Elephant is a National Historic Landmark originally built in 1881 by a real estate developer as a promotional gimick.
9200 Atlantic Avenue Margate, NJ.
We love Lucy!
We have been going to the Washington Avenue Beach for 62 years.
Glad to see this National Landmark is being preserved!
Ilene & Sheldon
Medford, NJ