SOMERS POINT — After years of planning and multiple meetings, Scarborough Properties has finally started building its private swim club on Bay Avenue.
The project, known as the Somers Point Paddle Club, is under construction at 520 Bay Ave., the former site of Bubba Mac’s Shack.
In May 2022, City Council approved an agreement with Somers Point Paddle Club LLC for redevelopment of the site. An overlay zone divided the lot into three parts.
Developer Sean Scarborough had said he hoped to have site plan approval in the early part of 2022 and break ground in July or August of that year after completing the rest of the permitting process. Scarborough later incorporated the project into a larger development that includes housing.
The Planning Board unanimously approved three separate applications Feb. 19, 2025, to allow for a mix of commercial and residential uses on the properties bordered by Bay, Maryland and Pleasant avenues.
The new project involves a change to the previously approved application for the Somers Point Paddle Club, along with single and multifamily housing and continuation of boat yard operations.
The three properties — 520 Bay Ave., 100 E. Maryland Ave. and 7 Kappella Ave. — are all part of a redevelopment agreement reached between entities under the umbrella of Scarborough Properties and City Council in December 2024. They are Harbour Cove Marina LLC, Rt. 152 Partners LLC and Bass Harbor LLC.
The approvals cleared the way for completion of the Paddle Club — a complex planned for the corner of Bay and Pleasant avenues overlooking the Harbour Cove North Basin with three swimming pools, indoor and outdoor seating — that was previously approved in 2022.
The first approval involved three affordable housing units in a building that now will be used as storage for the Paddle Club. Those three units were relocated.
The Salt House complex will include 24 single-family homes on the corner of Bay and Maryland avenues. Project engineer Jason Sciullo said the singles would have four bedrooms in a 2,200-square-foot upside-down design with the great room on the second floor to provide better water views.
He characterized them as luxury second homes that likely would be occupied only part of the year. A homeowners association will maintain the property.
The multifamily units, known as Salt Creek, would be split between two buildings. Parking will be provided in a surface lot.
A walkway with a wood border wall will wrap around the entire housing complex, providing a barrier from the road and an opportunity for recreation. It will be lighted for safety.
The affordable housing element, which reportedly received approval from the Council on Affordable Housing, is significant because a previous agreement would have allowed for 126 housing units there, only six of which would have been deemed affordable.
Also included is the continued operation of the boat yard, which predates construction of Harbour Cove Condominiums, operating since at least the 1950s, according to testimony.
The property, along Pleasant Avenue and stretching to Bass Harbour, will continue to be used for boat storage, maintenance and repair. However, in the boating season, the lot will be opened up for parking for Paddle Club patrons.
Three shipping containers will be kept on the lot for storage.
Scarborough Properties operates paddle clubs at Cape May Marina and in Brigantine. The Scarborough family has developed multiple properties in the city including Harbour Cove Marina and Shore Medical Center. Completion of the Somers Point facility initially was set for May 2023.
– STORY and PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
