Would Margate be better with a boardwalk? Here’s the top 5 reasons why Margate needs to rebuild it’s beloved boardwalk by the sea.
#1. Fix problems caused by Margate dune project of 2017
The one-size-fits-all beach & dune project took a beautiful Margate beachscape and cut it in half by piling a mountain of sand almost 14 ft high along the beach.
Not only did those dunes kill amazing ocean views, but it made access to the beach far more difficult. Especially for those with walking challenges.
A Margate boardwalk would solve both of those issues brought on by the state mandated dune system.
Of course, Margate already had a robust bulkhead system but that didn’t matter to then NJ Gov, Chris Christie.
Everyone was forced to get an expensive, marginally helpful mountain of sand dumped on their beaches every 3 years.
Is Margate on the hook for the next 50 years, paying for periodic sand pumping whether needed or not?
Margate dunes are approx 14 ft. high. 75 ft wide. They run the length of Margate’s coast between Longport and Ventnor.
The new dune cut our beautiful beach in half. This created a useless ‘dead zone’ between the dune and street-end bulkheads. Almost half the beach is now wasted space.
#2. Margate Planning Board forgot about public gathering spots.
Every town needs a town square. A large, scenic spot to gather, walk, bike or sit. Margate doesn’t really have one of these.
A boardwalk would fill this void. Why not make it easy to enjoy Margate’s prime asset; the beach & ocean?
The Margate Planning Board primarily focuses on matters related to real estate development, zoning, land-use & building. That’s not surprising since many on the Planning Board are well-connected to construction and other real estate related services.
Margate’s population includes many 60+ yr. olds. That number sure to grow larger. The Margate Planning Board needs put more thought into this group.
Controversial mini-golf courses and water parks are fine, but a low-key boardwalk is not?
#3. Easy access to Margate beaches. Critical for those w/ walking challenges.
The Margate dunes make it much more difficult for residents to reach the water’s edge.
Much tougher to traverse the ‘dead zone’. The large area between the bulkheads and the dunes. Once past that, you then need to climb over a 14 ft dune. It’s exhausting.
Ramps from street-end bulkheads to the boardwalk can help provide easy access from the Boardwalk to the beach itself.
Ramping solves the access problem. Makes it easier for those with walking issues, and families with children, wagons, strollers, etc.
Margate’s new Boardwalk would have ADA (American with Disabilities Act) compliant ramps from the street ends to the boardwalk.
#4. Increase of Margate public safety.
A new Boardwalk would greatly enhance both safety and security along this part of the Downbeach area.
A Boardwalk would help get pedestrians, bikes, runners and skaters off of busy Atlantic Ave. (4 lanes of pedestrian hazard)
Much like any other street, a Boardwalk would feature police patrols. Emergency vehicles would have faster, life-saving access to the beach.
Glenn Klotz: The high dunes block all visual access to the beach front and ocean. It’s am increased security risk for anyone swimming alone, walking or sitting. It’s a large open space that’s difficult to police.
A boardwalk would be beautifully lit at night. Latest tech provides for targeted light that respects the surrounding environment. It would almost always have someone walking on it.
It’s a fact: lights and people improve public safety. Surveillance cameras add even more benefit.
#5. Smart investment for future of Margate. Strong ROI.
Investment in roads, schools and municipal infrastructure. Without them, a local economy wouldn’t survive. Investments like these increase attractiveness of a town. Boosting perceived value. Business wants to set up shop here.
A boardwalk is one such investment. While not cheap, it pays off big time. A substantial return on investment. Example: building boom along Ventnor Boardwalk.
Margate ratables (a tax revenue metric) increase by almost $30mil each year. This most certainly could help pay for a boardwalk. It certainly plays a large role in borrowing capacity.
According to the Boardwalk Committee’s Glenn Klotz, Margate has an excellent bond rating. This comes from increasing demand from second homeowners. Margate can easily raise money in the bond market for capital improvements like a Boardwalk.
A new Margate Boardwalk would be eligible to receive various types of grants from the Federal Government, State of NJ, and regional authorities like the CRDA & others.
These possible grants, along with Margate’s excellent financial condition, would offset the many future costs of building and maintaining a Boardwalk.
Combining the two Margate schools is another way to help fund a boardwalk. Shut one of the buildings down and sell it off. Margate doesn’t need 2 schools, and duplicated staffing for 350 students.
Cash donations and sponsorship of benches & pavilions could help defray cost as well.
The Boardwalk referendum question is NOT binding. It’s purely to determine the general interest in Margate having a boardwalk. It does NOT commit the city to finance and build a boardwalk. It does not force the city to spend funds on engineering and permitting plans.
We’re just taking the voter’s temperature on this Boardwalk issue. nothing more, nothing less.
Glenn Klotz
Why should I vote YES on the ballot referendum?
A YES vote provides guidance to the City Commissioners. It tells them to, at least, explore the idea of building a new, Margate boardwalk. Nothing more.
A YES referendum vote does not build a boardwalk. It doesn’t raise taxes. It’s a non-binding voter question simply asking whether they’d like to consider a Boardwalk someday.
It’s purpose is to gauge the public interest in having a Boardwalk in Margate. The 3 Commissioners are not bound by the outcome. It’s better to vote YES.
Who opposes a Margate Boardwalk?
According to Glenn Klotz of the Margate Boardwalk Committee, those who oppose a boardwalk are largely second homeowners that live along the beachfront. Some believe they control (through riparian rights) the beach & sand in front of their homes.
This small group possesses great wealth. They seems to have heavy influence on key Margate politicians and city board members.
Note: the beach is considered a public park. A boardwalk is considered a public thru-way, sidewalk and/or street.
A new Boardwalk in Margate would be built safely behind and slightly above the existing man-made dune. Most of the boardwalk structure would be well over 250 ft from the closest house.
Mayor Becker, Commissioners Amodeo & Blumberg, along with Solicitor Abbott are on the hot seat over a questionable beach & dune deal with the State of NJ. Margate taxpayers could be on the financial hook for even more, unwanted dredging & sand-pumping.
Margate taxpayers may soon foot the bill for back-bay dredging that benefits few.
Recently, Mayor Becker of Margate has defended the spending of millions on an Amherst Ave project called the ‘promenade’, that largely benefits private business. ex: water park, Lamberti’s, marinas, etc.
Margate Boardwalk Committee
Margate is better with a Boardwalk
Sharon Saprone It would be an asset for our community. I don’t want to debate it. I’m voting yes. Taxes on an average home will probably go up $300-$400 per year. It’s worth it. I heard the “YES to Boardwalk” signs were being stolen.
Joe Singer A boardwalk will make beach access easier for seniors and those with disabilities. Ramps will help too. It will improve safety by getting better EMS access and police visibility to the beach. It will likely improve business and overall land values. A lot of fun too!
Jake Jacobs: Margate residents deserve a lovely, non-commercial beach-boardwalk promenade. $200-250 a year per home? So for the cost of a Friday dinner at Tomato’s, I get a boardwalk to enjoy for the whole year? No-brainer. The ‘No New Taxes’ campaign is a bunch of smoke and mirrors to conceal real reason behind ‘no-boardwalk’ organization.
Big city health and crime issues are pushing families to live in smaller towns like
Margate and Ventnor. See Downbeach Home Sales .
I oppose the boardwalk and I have 24 million reasons to support my view. It is not largely beachfront 2nd homeowners, it is from all facets of the town. That 24 million could be used to address dozens of other infrastructure projects.
There are more than 5 good reasons for Margate to enjoy the pleasure and costs associated with a boardwalk. Old Dog New Tricks.
Couples out for a walk, a parent riding with the kids or the adult child assisting the elderly parent sit on a bench for some fresh air. Yes plenty of reasons to say yes.
But the other side of the coin, Margate has always enjoyed the pleasure and use of Ventnor’s boardwalk at zero expense to them. Ventnor’s vibe has always been inclusive to the surrounding communities while Margate, well let’s just say they’d rather not go down that path with adding a boardwalk. Hope I’m wrong but I’m not.
Beach block folks, some dear friends and family will huff and puff about the potential of increase crime, further obstruction of water views or anything else to resist the change that should have come long ago.
Yay to you, Josh Beloff. You’re right on all accounts‼️
Those who oppose a boardwalk are largely second homeowners that live along the beachfront. (According to Glenn Klotz of the Margate Boardwalk Committee) Some believe they control (through riparian rights) the beach & sand in front of their homes.”
This is the argument Chris Christy used when campaigning for the dunes. I live on Monmouth Ave and this is my only residence I voted against the dunes, I’ll vote against the boardwalk.
Having a lovely, ramp-equipped, beach boardwalk promenade would have been such a benefit to my elderly Mom. I know my Mom would have ADORED it!
My Mom and Dad retired to our little house in Margate decades ago. During the twilight of my Mom’s life, her access to the beach was severely limited due to her health problems.
For every senior in Margate, I support the Margate Boardwalk, because I know the tremendous benefit that folks with limited mobility will get from this wonderful addition.
Vote YES to investigate the feasibility of bringing back the Margate boardwalk!
shameful. a few, selfish beachfront homeowners think they own the beach. please build a margate boardwalk.
Becker, Amodeo and Blumberg only care about deep-pocketed beachfront homeowners. The Three Amigos could care less about 2nd homeowners of Margate. Fools. Build the damn boardwalk.
Very simple Ventnor;
You have beach tags fees, impose boardwalk fees. I guarantee a $1.00 daily fee and you will have a very private boardwalk.
250 feet? Where are you getting that from?
Please keep Margate as is with beaches that beckon swimmers and surfers. If you want to walk use the beach as your pathway.
100% agree that the BOARDWALK should be extended through Margate. For all of us are walkers you would have another few miles of new territory to exploreAnd enjoy!
Nope, not buying it. Only $250 per household in taxes? You’re deranged. Just like Margate not having to pay for beach replenishment. They’re singing a different song now. That’s not taking into consideration the expensive upkeep and repairs. With the changing environment and increasing severity of storms, you’ll be repairing a boardwalk ad nauseam. Do you all want taxes like Ventnor? Watch your property value tank. And let’s not forget at least 2 yrs (at a minimum) of construction and disruption of our beaches. We had enough of that with the dunes. NOT a beach block home owner. VOTE NO!
Mr Klotz and his supporters believe they speak for a majority of people. They support their flimsy arguments with made up statistics ( cost, distancing from homes) and unfound propaganda.
Primary or secondary homeowner status should not be a talking point in this conversation. We are all neighbors and taxpayers.
This is not a good idea for our town. Plain and simple
Obviously no one has been on the Margate beach every night after 8:00 pm. Kids on bicycles leave them on Washington Avenue, go on the beach. They are loud and some are really obnoxious. I have personally seen kids taken off passed out and taken away in an ambulance. They are drinking, having sex, jumping into pools ( trespassing). Do you think the boardwalk will solve this problem? No it will make things worse. Parents send them out and have no idea where they are . What will it take to open eyes – maybe a real tragedy? Social distancing, masks, never saw it . Now Margate has a covid problem. In the small minds who want a boardwalk, a little broader thought process and coming down to Washington Avenue next summer any weekend evening will show you. Money would be better spent on a community center for kids to go and be safe.
Reality check folks. This project will cost twice as much as budgeted and will take twice as long to build. The corrupt 3 Amigos will skim plenty of money from this project and their cronies will be awarded high cost no bid contracts. Margate has many serious issues such as being over built, flooding, poor traffic patterns, speeding, many more empty storefronts due to lack of parking and COVID, sorry but a boardwalk fixes none of them.
You don’t own the beach because your property is close to it. The beach should be enjoyed by all.
It’s a falsehood being spread about taxes. You want to keep your elite entitlement: a private beach.
Return the boardwalk to Margate. You don’t own the beach!
A few rich, entitled snobs live along the beach. They believe they own the street & beach in front of their McMansion. I will vote YES for a Margate Boardwalk.
3 Amigos have no problem spending millions on an Amherst Ave promenade that only helps private business. Without asking the taxpayers!
Margate fishing pier is another taxpayer scam.
NO TO NEW BOARDWALK. THE ADDITIONAL TAXES 0F $300-400 IS BURDONSOME TO THOSE OF US ON SSI – AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF US.
THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL PARKING AND TRAFFIC ISSUES AND YES THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL CRIME BECAUSE OF THE INFLUX OF THOSE WHO CREATE CRIMES – YES I SAID THAT AS NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO SAY THAT.
WHY DOES EVERYONE BELITTLE THE 2ND HOUSE OWNERS (I LIVE HERE FULL TIME). THEY PROVIDE THE LARGEST PORTION OF TAXES PAID. THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL HEALTH ISSUES.
THE 2ND HOMEOWNERS CAN’T VOTE. THEY HAVE ALREADY SCREWED UP THE CONTRACT WITH THR DREDGING PROGRAM WHICH WILL ALSO COST US MORE $. MAYBE THEY SHOULD READ THE AGREEMENTS THEY SIGN. MARGATE IS BECOMING DIFFERENT THEN WHAT I SIGNBED UP FOR MANY YEARS AGO.
LET’S KEEP MARGATE WHAT IT WAS – A SAFE, QUIET PEACEFUL COMMUNITY. THE ADDITIONAL BOARDWALK WILL ONLY FURTHER DETERIORATE THE GREAT VALUES OF OUR COMMUNITY.
The “second home owner” and beach block residents doesn’t want the boardwalk but guess who pays the bills here in Margate.
The seasonal residents should have a say in local issues and be given the right to vote when it is effecting our taxes and property values.
I support a margate boardwalk. well worth it. currently, there is nowhere to walk in margate. thank you.
A boardwalk makes the beach more accessible. No more climbing up stairs over the bulkhead, dragging stuff through deep sand and climbing the dune. Elderly people and families with young children will love it.
With all the various claims and statements made, have the planners projected COST and building time of the proposed boardwalk and what are the REALISTIC state and federal programs available to reduce the total cost to Margate residents, and approximately how much would planners anticipate these entities to chip in? After all, with all the planning and discussion, someone must have contacted the state and feds re: these subsidies. Plus, would the construction be of wood — requiring frequent maintenance, or aluminum which is more expensive up front but requiring much less maintenance and with a longer life expectancy?
After fifty years of seasonal residency seeing my parents, aunts, uncles and cousins with almost no access to the beach is reprehensible. I am a daily bike rider to AC and now take my seniors to the Ventnor Pier for easy beach access and bathrooms. Why should Ventnor residents pay taxes to host the users from longport and margate?
Bikers, walkers, runners , seniors and parents with children will all utilize a boardwalk. It will add to the town, not diminish anything except the unkempt wasteland between the dunes. This deserves a vote from all taxpayers!
Think about how much money it will cost to buy land, build the boardwalk and continue maintaining it. Then add 10, 20 50 up to 100% more to the projected budget…you know its true. Then is a few years replace the boards. Not to mention if weather wipes it or some of it out and it is in disrepair….kind of what happened last time it was there and replacing it was decided against. Most people won’t even use it as it’s supporters have described. Some of these posts are delusional visions of utopia . Do a fiscal reality check before a lot of everyones money is spent so a few can walk on boards. VOTE NO.
For the Boardwalk and the Dunes.
Our predecessors should have rebuilt the boardwalk after its destruction in 1944.
We would not have this problem now.
While riding my bike I have been hit by cars twice on Atlantic avenue . Both times the driver went through stop signs.
The boardwalk is the safest and the nicest place in the world to ride a bike.
https://www.nj.com/atlantic/2018/08/margate_boardwalk.html
I agree with you here. Had they rebuilt after the hurricane, this obviously wouldn’t be an issue. To me, the the new lane configuration on Atlantic doesn’t do much, other than to back traffic up during the summer season. The wider bike lanes are OK, but not too much of an improvement. Either way, I don’t mind riding through Margate when they turn off the traffic lights after the season.
Aluminum is slick when wet. They removed those sections in Ventnor a number of years ago. The wood that they use now is harder and lasts much longer and doesn’t splinter. I don’t live in Margate, so I have no skin on this game. I enjoy riding my bike from Ventnor to Longport, though, and extending the Boardwalk would be a boon for bikers and walkers alike, in both communities.