County hears Open Space funding request for WWII Fire Control Tower at Sunset Beach

Will Hanson, director of the county Planning Department, presented an Open Space Historic Preservation funding application for the World War II Fire Control Tower at Sunset Beach and outlined why the site qualifies for funding.

Hanson said the tower is listed on both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places and that Cape May MAC, which operates the site, submitted the application. He gave a project budget of $345,000 and said MAC is eligible to receive up to 50 percent of eligible costs (capped at $500,000). He said the county funding request is approximately $172,626 and that MAC has also applied to the New Jersey Historic Preservation Trust Fund for a matching award; Hanson stated the project cannot proceed unless both funding sources are secured. The presentation noted the site hosted about 8,000 visitors last year and includes a Wall of Honor listing roughly 160 local veterans.

Hanson also described process and schedule: a 30-day public notice preceded the presentation and a 45-day public comment period will follow before the Open Space Board forwards its recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for a final funding decision. Hanson indicated Division Director Kevin Quinn was available for technical questions. The board did not take a final funding vote at this meeting; the matter will return after the public comment period.