Wildwoods Improvement Plans

Wildwoods improvement districts make budgets, plans
By TRUDI GILFILLIAN Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716
Published: Friday, January 12, 2007
Press of Atlantic City


WILDWOOD — The Boardwalk Special Improvement District is looking to add to its lineup of family entertainment and enhance its sponsorship efforts in time for the 2007 tourist season.

The district, made up of Boardwalk property owners in Wildwood and North Wildwood, has presented its annual budget to fund those efforts to City Commission and will do the same next week for North Wildwood City Council.

Managing Director Patrick Rosenello said the district already supplies free entertainment on the boards most nights of the week except Tuesday.

The plan is to add child-friendly entertainment such as strolling childrens' characters. Also topping the group's agenda are ways to enhance an existing sponsorship agreement with Coca-Cola, possibly with a Coca-Cola sponsored event.

The largest chunk of the district's $1.24 million budget comes from its operation of the Boardwalk tram cars, but sponsorships and other revenue sources, such as funding from the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority add about $250,000 to district's spending plan.

Assessments on the Boardwalk property owners account for $115,000, just 9 percent of the budget, and tram revenue adds $873,000, Rosenello said.
The district took over the tram operation in the spring of 2004, something Rosenello said was a positive move for the district.

He pointed to the trams recent appearance in Philadelphia's annual Mummer's parade and Coca-Cola's tram sponsorship.

"After three years, I'm pretty happy with it," Rosenello said. "We've greatly enhanced the value of the trams to the Boardwalk."

Rosenello, who also serves as managing director for the Downtown Business Improvement District, said that group is also pushing ahead with its 2007 budget and its priorities for the year.

The business district has proposed a $315,000 budget for the year, which requires Wildwood City Commission's approval.

"The focus is on capital projects, bricks and mortar operations," Rosenello said.

The business district is busy redoing sections of Pacific Avenue in the hope that improving the appearance of the downtown will draw new businesses and new customers.

Burk to Spicer avenues are expected to be done by Memorial Day, he said. The outlying blocks not complete by that time will follow.

Grants, obtained with the city, have supported those projects which include new sidewalks and decorative features such as trash cans and street lights.

A design study, supported by the district, is also under way to help business owners win the grants they need to improve the look of their storefronts.

City Commission is expected to hold public hearings and final votes on both the Boardwalk and downtown district budgets on Feb. 14.

North Wildwood City Council will introduce the Boardwalk budget at its Jan. 16 regular meeting.

To e-mail Trudi Gilfillian at The Press:TGilfillian@pressofac.com