Architect’s rendering of the new Ventnor City Beach Patrol Headquarters.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR – The Board of Commissioners Thursday, Oct. 14 awarded a contract to build a new Beach Patrol Headquarters by next summer.
The new 1,315-square-foot, two-story structure will be as “iconic” as the new structure on the Ventnor City Pier, officials said.
“We are excited about the design,” Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Kriebel said. “It will be another iconic building similar to the pier house, which will provide the community with some consistency in design.”
The city opened seven bids on Wednesday, Oct. 13 on the two-story building designed by Somers Point architect William McLees, who also designed Fire Station No. 2 on Wellington Avenue. There was a $196,984 difference between the highest and lowest bidder. R. Wilkinson & Sons Construction, Inc. was the low bidder with a total contract amount of $755,000.
Kriebel said Public Works Supervisor Ed Stinson worked since last fall to obtain NJ DEP permits to replace the building, which will be constructed on new pilings and be 2 feet above base flood elevation.
“The building we have now is no longer repairable,” Kriebel said. “The electrical system has failed, the roof leaks and it’s unsafe for employees to be there for any extended length of time.”
The building, which sits next to the boardwalk, was originally built by the Public Works Department, and is no longer suitable for a beach town that this past summer had 443 rescues, 206 medical responses, 64 EMT calls and 178 patron transports, he said.
“It’s long overdue,” Mayor Beth Holtzman and Commissioner Lance Landgraf said.
Kriebel agreed the price tag was higher than commissioners would like, due to increased construction costs and the logistics of building next to the dune.
The building will maintain the same 600-square-foot footprint, but the new building will be two stories and have administrative offices, a first aid station, lockers and rest rooms with showers, a radio center and a general meeting room that can be used for training.
Kriebel said the city is a bit “nervous” about supply chain issues, which could delay completion of the project, so the city wants to get started on the project as soon as possible. The building was cleared out at the end of the beach season and lifeguards normally start preparing for the season in April.
“Demolition will likely take place in the next two weeks,” he said.
The project is being funded through an $8 million capital bond issued last year.
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