Ventnor unveils plans to improve downtown business districts.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR – The community weighed in and now the Board of Commissioners will take action to improve the look of the city’s five downtown business districts.
Commissioner Tim Kriebel Thursday, Feb. 9 shared information gleaned from an online collaboration with contributors about how to improve the business districts. Contributors shared their ideas using Basecamp, a cloud based communication tool accessible to a small group of residents and business owners and the Ventnor Business Association. Kriebel presented the information and prioritized improvements that can be accomplished immediately, and in short- and long-term projects.
Real change and focus is needed to get positive results for the whole city, Kriebel said.
“I truly believe our downtown districts are untapped,” he said.
Kriebel said downtown areas are basically the public’s “interview” to determine if they like the city or want to live in Ventnor.
“Yet, we show up to that interview late and with mustard on our tie, and then we wonder why we didn’t get picked for the job, and in other words, why we don’t have vibrant downtowns,” he said.
The first thing the city can do – and has already started – is enforce the city’s codes and maintenance requirements. He said the city will install color coded banners in each business district. The banners will identify the neighborhood and will not include any advertising.
Mid-term actions could include reviewing and revising the city’s zoning for businesses and updating the sign ordinance, which regulates the size and scope of signage on commercial buildings. The city can also replace trash and recycling receptacles located in commercial areas, and create new events and activities that will bring people to the shopping districts.
Kriebel said the city could ask business owners to comply with the city’s regulations regarding the amount of advertising that can cover a storefront window. Reducing coverage could improve public safety and give police the opportunity to see what’s going on inside the store.
Long-range goals include purchasing a small sweeper to clean sidewalks, replacing all the trees, establishing a small loan program to help business owners upgrade their facades, installing more bicycle racks, replacing trash receptacles and adding streetscape improvements such as lighting and planters.
Kriebel has often touted the success of “parklets” in Philadelphia and other cities. The parklet concept includes using a parking space for diners who purchase food at nearby eateries. Although no one business would have exclusive use of the parklet to serve their customers. He said the first one could be located on a side street in the South Beach neighborhood next to No. 7311 small batch bakery.
“They can’t be on Ventnor Avenue, they have to be on a cross street,” Kriebel said.
To start making improvements, general housekeeping provides the lowest hanging fruit. The city could improve its street cleaning efforts, and remove leaves that can clog storm drains, but business owners must be the ones to ensure their sidewalks are clean of litter and weeds.
Kriebel said he would like Ventnor Special Events to host activities in the various neighborhoods throughout the year. Establishing a Restaurant Week event would give all the different business districts the opportunity to allow diners to sample each restaurant’s cuisine. Other ideas include car and motorcycle shows and holding food competitions and dinners en blanc.
“Restaurants are a great draw to Ventnor,” he said.
Other suggestions from the collaboration included installing bicycle repair stations on the boardwalk and near the bicycle lanes on Atlantic Avenue, increasing pet friendly activities, a miniature golf course and encouraging biking and walking.
Kriebel included all notable suggestions in his presentation.
Commissioner Lance Landgraf said the Code Enforcement Department has already started reviewing business compliance with city ordinances in the northern part of the city.
“It’s not that we didn’t enforce them in the past, but it’s more directed now,” Landgraf said.
Fines could be issued for non-compliance and fines could be increased, he said.
“We are not trying to be draconian about it, but we are going to hold businesses to the same standards,” Kriebel said. “The responsibility for sidewalks, just like at your house, is the responsibility of the property owner.”
Kriebel said he would share the information with the Planning and Zoning Board, to ensure compliance and obtain additional feedback. He will seek funding sources and ask departments to help.
Lee Widman, a member of the city’s green team who is applying for tree planting grants, suggested that ongoing maintenance should be built into the city’s improvement plans.
Two other residents suggested working with environmental organizations to ensure the city plants the right tree in the right location.
VBA President Brenda Dowd urged the board to consider replacing trees sooner rather than later.
Landgraf said the city has already contacted several landscapers to provide options for trees and planters for flowers.
Dowd asked how the VBA could help the city achieve its goals.
“We want to work with you,” she said. “Let’s keep the lines of communication open.”
Landgraf said the city could plan larger streetscape improvement projects in the future such as the one done a few years ago in the North Beach business district.
“That cost $300,000 per block,” Landgraf said.
North Beach resident Richard Gober suggested the city consider hiring someone to plant and maintain hanging baskets filled with flowers along the business districts.
Shelley D’Orazio of the Beautification Committee said the committee conducts fundraisers to help beautify the city and has provided funding to purchase banners and trash receptacles in the past. The organization has raised about $50,000 for improvements to Ski Beach, but the project has been delayed by COVID-19 and is separate from the business district improvements, Landgraf said.
“We do these fundraisers and people want to know where the money’s going,” D’Orazio said.
The city had received an estimate to install a band shell at ski beach but the costs were too high. The city is also considering replacing the gazebo in the beachfront park behind the library, but it’s likely that environmental approvals won’t be granted to get it built by the summer.
The city could consider purchasing a portable state that can be used in the beachfront park and at Ski Beach to accommodate bands that play during the city’s summer concerts.
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