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Wildwood Crest debates fishing-pier design, dredging and Army Corps dune plans as residents raise concerns
Summary
Council members outlined a scaled-back approach to a proposed fishing-pier project after funding shortfalls and uncertainty over Army Corps dune work; residents questioned pier extension, beach-excavation plans and timing of federal funding decisions.
Borough officials and residents clashed gently over the future of Wildwood Crest's fishing pier, beach management and a federally involved dune project during the Oct. 15, 2025 meeting.
Councilors said the borough has approximately $1.1 million from a boardwalk preservation trust fund and has authorized applying to the Cape May County Open Space Board for a maximum award of $2.5 million, which would bring available local funding to about $3.6 million. Commissioners noted earlier design work estimated the pier at roughly $6 million pre-pandemic and that updated estimates approached $7 million, so the borough is pursuing value engineering: keeping the existing pier and focusing funds on new decking, lighting, railings (including handicap railings) and a more modest extension to fit the available budget. Borough officials said they will post the design plans online and present them at a future meeting for public review.
Residents at the public-comment period pressed borough officials for clarity. Dave McWills questioned whether the pier extension was already a done deal and warned that shoreline changes could leave a longer pier stranded: "Have we already made the decision that we're going to do this project or are we still thinking about doing this project?" Borough officials said funding alignment would determine next steps and that the council's intention would be to move forward only if financing is in place.
Brian Schwarz, writing to the borough, praised Department of Public Works efforts to restore beaches after Hurricane Aaron and expressed concern about an Army Corps proposal he described as moving water "650 ft closer to land," urging borough resistance if the Corps' preferred dune design threatened infrastructure. Borough staff said they continue to await firm word from the Army Corps and the state; staff noted the Corps had asked the state whether it intended to proceed and that funds could be reallocated if the state does not move forward.
On beach management, a resident asked about back-beach excavation and sand-fencing to address low-lying, ponding areas behind dunes. Borough staff and the environmental consultant explained fall plans to survey targeted areas, install sand fences to capture wind-blown sand, and remove fence-captured sand before the following summer; the borough also said it will follow state parameters for dune-vegetation pruning.
Separately, officials reported the borough received no bids on a property auction (the Crocus/New Jersey Avenue parcel) and will have staff clean and reissue the bid later this year. A public commenter urged the borough not to sell the parcel, saying it was acquired for future parking to support New Jersey Avenue's business district.
The council did not take final action on pier design at the meeting; commissioners emphasized funding, phasing and additional public outreach as next steps.
