By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
SOMERS POINT — Members of a local nonprofit group received a lukewarm response to their proposal to take over stewardship of Somers Mansion, with plans for physical, cultural and educational improvements.
The Patriots for the Somers Mansion presented their “comprehensive plan to assume responsibility for our city’s National Register treasure, the Somers Mansion,” which would include the city buying the property from the state for $1.
“We believe that we have created a stable organization that is fully capable of making the mansion the centerpiece of Somers Point’s heritage tourism without being a burden to the city,” group chairwoman Donna Mohr told City Council on Thursday, Feb. 25.
Mohr, joined by vice chairman Greg Sykora, told council that the board is “a collection of expertise, experience, commitment and enthusiasm, all of which are necessary to manage a National Register property effectively. The board, in conjunction with the Somers Point Historical Society, forms the basis for success.”
The members are:
— Mohr, a retired curriculum supervisor and professor who also is chairwoman of the Somers Point Historical Preservation Commission;
— Sykora, a business owner, past president of the Somers Point Business Association (SPBA) with construction experience who also is chairman of the city’s Economic Development Advisory Commission;
— Historian Levi Fox, a college professor with a PhD. in public history;
— Lynn MacEwan, president and founding member of the Somers Point Historical Society (SPHS) and author of “Somers Point”;
— Sydney Perkins, the former director of Community Education and Recreation with a degree in American studies;
— James Franklin, former city solicitor and founding member;
— Kirk Gerety, former city councilman and past president of the SPHS with 30 years’ commercial construction experience;
— Walter Gregory, a founding member of the SPHS and owner of Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar who is a past president of the SPBA;
— Glenn Monroe of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority who has real estate and property management expertise
— Jim Rutala, a grant writer with public planning expertise;
— Architect Bill McLees;
— Tia Bucci, interior designer with Benjamin Moore who has a family connection to Richard Somers.
Mohr detailed steps the group has taken so far. She said it was founded in 2018 as a 501c3 nonprofit and has achieved Officially Recognized Friend of the Organization status with the State Park Service with an accepted 5-year plan for the mansion property.
“Our efforts have already resulted in filling cracks and painting the exterior of the building at no cost thanks to volunteer help and the donation of all paint and supplies by Benjamin Moore. We have also improved the look of the living room and held several fundraisers and holiday events. Most recently we had a historically appropriate evergreen tree planted on the grounds, again at no cost thanks to a donation,” she said.
Future plans for fundraising and advertising include seeking major sponsorship, finalizing a commemorative brick garden, maintaining an active website and social media presence, T-shirt sales, special events and annual memberships and sponsorships. The group also plans to continue to identify grant opportunities and encourage use of the ground by outside organizations.
The group has been holding a Second Saturday volunteer program to clean up the building and grounds. They plan to repair window sills/frames and make other cosmetic repairs, install a video security system and perform housekeeping and lawn maintenance.
Improvements planned include removing a wall in the non-historic part of the building and making a large classroom/meeting room, adding an ADA-compliant bathroom, building a deck over the annex, reconstructing the second-floor balcony, creating an information kiosk, adding a drinking fountain and signage and clearing brush and shrubs to focus on Braddock Avenue bridge abutment.
The Patriots plan to go even further, offering educational and cultural programs such as a virtual tour, historical interpretations, lectures, workshops, school and holiday activities.
She said the mansion would be a key starting point for introducing the public to the city’s historical offerings. The group hopes to tie the mansion in with other historical assets in the city such as the Atlantic County Historical Society Museum, the Richard Somers Memorial at old city hall and the Somers Point Historical Museum, all within easy walking distance.
Mohr even said they plan to use ground-penetrating radar to find out if there really are smugglers tunnels beneath the property leading to the bay at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park.
“Whatever is going on under there will be part of the history of the property,” she said.
Mohr encouraged City Council to join the effort.
“Assuming possession of the Somers Mansion is the key to building heritage tourism in our city and the Patriots for the Somers Mansion are fully capable of managing it,” she said.
Calling it “a very aggressive list,” City Council President Janice Johnston asked about the city’s financial liabilities and the group’s budget.
City solicitor Tom Smith said the city ultimately would be liable in case of an accident resulting in injury but the Patriots could purchase insurance and indemnify the city so that it’s covered.
Regarding the budget, Mohr said the group has received estimates of the cost the state was paying to operate the site. She said the annual costs include $1,900 for electricity, gas, water and sewer services; $1,400 for internet; $2,000 in repairs; $2,200 for an alarm system and $7,000 a year for someone to sit in the mansion and provide access.
She noted they plan to train historical interpreters to lead tours, saying “there wasn’t much enthusiasm going on there.”
Mohr said many of the other expenses could be reduced or eliminated. The group plans to make its own repairs using grant money and donations for materials and would install a security camera with remote access that would allow them to forego the alarm system.
Johnston said she wants a formal budget presented to City Council.
Smith asked if the group has an engineer’s report from work done at the site in the past, noting there may be preliminary work done on adding the bathroom. He also said there may be other requirement than just a bathroom.
Johnston also asked if an environmental study has been completed.
“We want to know what we’re buying and make sure this doesn’t come back on the city,” she said.
Sykora said the group is looking for a resolution that would state the city would accept ownership of the property when the group receives a letter expected from the state offering to sell it.
Johnston suggested forming a committee to gather information and ensure that all of council’s questions are addressed before making any decision.
Sykora said interest in the property has never been greater.
“Everyone wants to be involved,” he said, noting that one reason why the state is willing to part with the building is that the group has been a thorn in its side about upkeep and access.
“We come before you say we are more than capable of bringing it back to what it should be,” Sykora said.