Lucy the Elephant Visitors Center concept plan.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE – Richard Helfant, the executive director of the Save Lucy Committee, received the Board of Commissioners approval Thursday, Jan. 5 to move forward with a plan to demolish the Lucy Gift Shop building and replace it with a new two-story building to be constructed at a higher flood elevation.
The commissioners reviewed the concept plan presented by architect Mark Petrella of SOSH Architects of Atlantic City. The plan as presented could be revised if there are changes recommended after NJ Green Acres and the Historic Preservation Office review the plans, Helfant said.
Save Lucy Committee Executive Director Richard Helfant show commissioners a plan for a new visitors center at Josephine Harron Park, home to Lucy the Elephant.
Helfant said the historic monument, which recently underwent a $2.4 million exterior renovation, is set to start a new phase of interior improvements in September. The work includes restoration of the interior surfaces, some of which have been damaged by water infiltration. The work includes new plaster walls, refinishing the floors, replacement of the 50-year-old HVAC system, and installation of new alarm and fire suppression systems. Helfant said the work would be funded with a $600,000 grant from the NJ Historic Trust.
The next phase is a little more extensive. Helfant said the committee wants to raze and replace the gift shop building, which no longer suits Lucy’s needs.
“When it was built, we had about 3,000 visitors a year. We now have about 132,000 visitors and the store is too small and we can’t generate the revenue needed,” he said.
The new building would have a larger retail space, storage, second floor meeting room and restrooms to accommodate tours and cultural education for the region’s school children, he said.
Architect Mark Petrella of SOSH Architects of Atlantic City reviews a concept plan for Lucy the Elephant’s new gift shop.
Also included would be an “interpretive center” where those who are unable to climb the stairs to Lucy’s living space and howdah could view historical photographs and videos about Lucy and learn about her historical significance.
Helfant said the design has undergone several iterations, and it could change again should the historical organizations and Green Acres require revisions.
Petrella said designing the gift shop building was challenging for several reasons.
“There’s not much space to work with, and (the building) cannot overpower Lucy or the site,” he said.
Proposed first floor layout.
The first floor of the building will be 6.5 feet above grade to comply with FEMA flood elevations, and the property must be Americans with Disabilities Act compliant. The plan includes a ground level entrance leading to an elevator, a handicapped accessible ramp and stairs leading to the main entrance. Landscape architect Jay Adamson has designed the landscape plan, surrounding Lucy with nativetrees and grasses.
The color scheme for the building will be neutral so as not to detract from the four-story pachyderm and have a metal roof.
Helfant said Lucy’s Snack Bar would be moved to another location – perhaps to the Sigmund Rimm Recreation Complex – because it no longer generates revenue needed to keep Lucy in the pink.
“The snack bar was built in the 1980s as a way to generate revenue, but it no longer generates revenue like it once did,” Helfant said.
Building of the dune system blocked access to the snack bar from the beach, which reduced business and led the operator to end his lease. Instead, the committee plans to offer refreshments at a historical-looking food truck set up in the area between the elephant and a boardwalk.
The historic Train Station building will be moved to the corner of Decatur and Atlantic avenues to display historic railroad memorabilia.
Helfant said the project would be partially funded with an endowment from a supporter, grants from the Historic Trust or any other funding agency, and the city.
The project maintains the existing nine parking spaces, although changing to angled parking could generate two more on-site parking spaces.
No variances will be needed.
Commissioner Maury Blumberg asked if the committee anticipates any potential complaints from area residents.
“I hope not,” Helfant said. “Once plans are finalized, we will share exactly what we are doing with the condo association. We want to be good neighbors.”
There will be no changes to Lucy’s hours of operation, he said.
Over the next several weeks, the committee will erect a sign recognizing Lucy’s funding sources. The committee will be required to advertise and hold a public hearing where the public can weigh in on the project. Transcripts of the meeting will be submitted to Green Acres for final approval. The public hearing will likely be held sometime in February.
The commissioners agreed to allow the Save Lucy Committee to move forward with the plan.
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