THAT THE UNDERSIGNED HAS APPEALED TO Zoning Board OF THE CITY OF NORTH WILDWOOD FOR A VARIANCE FROM THE TERMS OF ARTICLES AND SECTIONS OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE SO AS TO PERMIT:

DESCRIPTION OF VIOLATION: Undersigned seeks approval to expand its building and requires variances from parking, front yard setback, side yard setback, rear setback, lot coverage and density requirements
VIOLATION OF CHAPTER NUMBER: 276-25(D) and 276-25(F) ON THE PREMISES AT: 911 Surf Avenue, Wildwood, NJ BLOCK: 304 LOT: 1

WHICH IS WITHIN 200 FEET OF PROPERTY OWNED BY YOU. A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN ORDERED FOR April 14, 2008, AT 6:30 P.M., IN COUNSEL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL, 901 ATLANTIC AVENUE, AT WHICH TIME YOU MAY APPEAR EITHER IN PERSON OR BY AGENT OR ATTORNEY AND PRESENT ANY OBJECTION WHICH YOU MAY HAVE TO THE GRANTING OF THIS APPEAL. MAPS AND DOCUMENTS, IF ANY, RELATING TO THIS APPLICATION, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT LEAST TEN (10) DAYS PRIOR TO THE HEARING IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD 901 ATLANTIC AVENUE, DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS.

THIS NOTICE IS SENT TO YOU BY THE APPELLANT BY ORDER OF: Zoning Board

IN COMPLIANCE WITH N.J.S.A. 40: 55D-11, ET SEQ AND 40:55D-12, ET SEQ.

RESPECTFULLY,
Jeffrey Breen
for Chateau Bleu Holdings, LLC

As published in the Cape May County Herald Times

But there (are) good models of kitsch preservation, like Wildwood, New Jersey a beach town that has was a favourite vacation spot for Quebeckers in the 1960s. Blessed with a large collection of motels (including the Quebec Motel and the Montreal Inn) designed in a style known in the United States as “doo wop architecture,” preservation activists in Wildwood have taken to saving old signs, furniture, even toilets. New Jersey has given heritage designation to a number of motels, which has opened up federal preservation dollars. Wildwood business owners have even discovered that kitsch is good for business, as tourists return to Wildwood not only for the beach, but for its retro atmosphere.

It is encouraging to see a positive impression of the preservation effort.

So if you’re in the mood to hear some great Doo Wop era music, head on out west and check it out!

For more details, go to:

…and listen for some much-needed publicity of the Wildwood’s Doo Wop Motels (and WildwoodDooWop.com) on Cool Bobby D’s Radio show:

Sunday - 6:00-9:00 PM ET on:

Thanks, Cool Bobby D!

In addition to his duties as the president of the Wildwood Crest Historical Society and as an associate board member of the Doo Wop Preservation League, Hastings has managed to co-produce a DVD and write a book about the Wildwoods’ famous collection of mid-century architecture within that time span. He has also compiled a number of notebooks which can viewed at the WCHS Museum (located at Crest Pier) and is presently working on another book, a pictorial history of Wildwood Crest for Arcadia Press.

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Kirk about these topics, and a few others…

Al Alven: First off, Kirk, thanks for taking the time to speak with us today. You’ve certainly kept busy over the course of the past 24 months or so. Have you found the time to get any sleep?

Kirk Hastings: Sure. Mostly between sunset and sunrise!

AA: (laughs) We’ll touch on a number of subjects and some of the projects you’ve been involved with, but let’s start with your recently-released book, “Doo Wop Motels: Architectural Treasures of the Wildwoods.” How about a brief synopsis, straight from the author?

KH: The book is a photo history book about the futuristic-looking 1950s and 1960s “California Coffee Shop Modern”-style buildings, mostly motels, located on 5 Mile Beach Island, in southern New Jersey. Four communities are on this island: North Wildwood, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and West Wildwood. The book describes when these buildings were built, who built them and what design styles influenced their construction. The book also documents efforts by the Doo Wop Preservation League, a local preservation society, in the 1990s to rescue these buildings from possible demolition.

AA: How did the idea for the book come about?

KH: I started taking photographs of these unique buildings in 2002 for the Wildwood Crest Historical Museum, as many of them were in danger of being sold and demolished as part of a real estate boom. Then I started collecting historical information about the buildings too, with the idea of compiling a notebook for the Historical Society, of which I am the president, about them. One day, I realized that this would be great source material for a book. No one else had yet succeeded in publishing a book on this subject, though some had tried.

AA: What was the biggest challenge you faced while putting the book together?

KH: Getting good photos of the buildings that had already been demolished before I started taking pictures in 2002. Thank God for local collectors and eBay!

AA: What would you say was the most interesting thing you learned while doing your research; something you were unaware of or didn’t realize previously?

KH: Becoming familiar with the people who created the famous plastic palm trees and the neon signs for Wildwood’s various motels.

AA: On a personal level, what do you feel you’ve gotten out of the project so far? On the flip side, what do you hope readers of the book take away from the experience?

KH: I have developed a new appreciation for the incredible creativity that went into designing and constructing these buildings; a creativity you don’t see much anymore in building circles. I hope the readers of my book will also come to recognize the incredible creativity inherent in these structures.

AA: We alluded to some of your other projects earlier. Talk about working with Dan Espy in co-producing his “Doo Wop Motels of the Wildwoods” DVD last year. What was that like, and what was involved in the process?

KH: Basically, I supplied Dan with all the still photos of the motels that he used in the documentary, and I followed him around as he filmed the buildings, giving him suggestions and moral support. I also supplied historical information for the narration on the DVD. It was a great, fun experience.

AA: Do you have any other ‘Doo Wop’ or Wildwood-related projects in the works at this time?

KH: I’m still working on the Doo Wop motel notebook for the Wildwood Crest Museum. And next year I will have a history book on Wildwood Crest coming out, published by Arcadia Books. Naturally the book will have a section on the Crest’s Doo Wop motels!

AA: In addition to the book and the DVD, you also serve as president of the Wildwood Crest Historical Society, and are an associate board member of the Doo Wop Preservation League. Tell us a little about these roles and what both responsibilities encompass.

KH: For the historical society, basically I run the monthly meetings that they hold from October to May, and help with various other projects. As a board member for the Doo Wop League, I attend meetings and make suggestions on current and future projects. And do everything I can to further the “Doo Wop” cause!

AA: You grew up in Wildwood Crest, near the main motel district. What was that experience like, and what are your most fond memories of that time?

KH: I remember when many of the Doo Wop-style buildings were built, and how exciting it was each time one opened. Some of them actually caused a bit of controversy at the time because of their “odd” designs! Personally, I used to love playing around those buildings in the wintertime, when they were closed up and deserted. It was like having my very own fantasy playground!

AA: What is your all-time favorite “Doo Wop” motel or landmark, and why?

KH: That’s a hard one to answer. But I guess my favorite would have to be the Casa Bahama Motel in the Crest. I’ve always loved the “tiki” design style, and I’ve always loved the Casa Bahama’s unique design. Plus, the Casa Bahama was the only Wildwood motel I ever had the chance to stay in. In 1962, when I was 10 years old, we had some friends visiting from Maryland that stayed in that motel. I was able to visit them in their room there, and I distinctly remember watching an episode of “Hawaiian Eye” on the TV! At the time I felt like I was really there in Hawaii!

AA: Likewise, do you have a particular favorite among the motels that are still around?

KH: My favorite of the Wildwood motels that is still standing would have to be the Caribbean Motel, another motel with a great “South Pacific” feel to it. And that great pool area and second floor lounge, done over in a 1950s “Polynesian” style!

AA: Demolitions have certainly slowed down, and the “condo boom” as it was, appears to be over. What do you see as the future for “Doo Wop” in the Wildwoods?

KH: That’s hard to say at this point. What I would like to see is some new motels built that incorporate some of the designs of the classic Doo Wop motels that we have lost into them, like the Ebb Tide, the Satellite or the Fantasy motels. Whether this will ever happen is anybody’s guess.

AA: What are the keys to this ‘future?’

KH: We need some forward-thinking community leaders in place that will recognize that the secret to making and keeping the Wildwoods a truly unique vacation destination is to look back on its rich history, and use that as a stepping stone to design and guide its future.

AA: In closing what, in your opinion, is the best way for the average Wildwood enthusiast to support “Doo Wop,” and the historical preservation of the Wildwoods, in general?

KH: The best way to do that is for everyone interested in The Wildwoods to keep up with what is going on there, and make their voices heard loud and clear at every opportunity as to what direction they would like to see the island go in. And support the remaining Doo Wop properties by staying there and spending your money there! And writing lots of letters to the editors of the local newspapers voicing your opinions wouldn’t hurt either!

]]> http://www.wildwooddoowop.com/news/2007/07/26/wdw-interview-series-kirk-hastings/feed/ http://www.wildwooddoowop.com/news/2007/05/02/style-icons/ http://www.wildwooddoowop.com/news/2007/05/02/style-icons/#comments Wed, 02 May 2007 06:00:50 +0000 admin http://www.wildwooddoowop.com/news/2007/05/02/style-icons/ We have created a set of icons to compliment our new Style Set. You can check them all out on our About page.

Early Doo Wop
Chinatown Revival
Modern / Blast Off
Phony Colonee
Polynesian / Tiki
Shore Thing
Vroom
Far Out!
Neo Doo Wop

If you are interested in reading more about them, including our definitions of each, go to our About page.

-Troy

1. One point for each approved spot contribution.
2. One point for each approved set of photos.
3. Points also awarded by Site Administration at their discretion.

A “spot” is defined as any one Doo Wop or Entertainment record in our database. A “set of photos” is defined as photos contributed to any one spot, regardless of number contributed.

You will now see a user’s rating next to their name when they were the last to contribute to a “spot”.

Preserving “Doo-Wop” in Wildwood Crest, New Jersey (W039)

Monday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location/Room: 12th Street Concourse

Topics: Land Use Planning, Historic Preservation
CPD Credits: 6.0
Description
A changing market has spurred conversions that threaten the bold signage and architectural flourishes typical of the “Doo-Wop” style. Learn how this tourist destination, renowned for its vast beaches and unique collection of 1950s “Doo-Wop” hotels, is working to preserve its character. Transportation: Motorcoach. Includes lunch.

Speakers
Elizabeth C. Leheny, Phillips Preiss Shapiro Associates, Inc., New York, NY
Jeremy J. Alvarez, AICP, Vollmer Associates, LLP, Philadelphia, PA

Thanks to Philadelphia Inquirer architecture critic Inga Saffron for writing a blog post that mentions the seminar!

(And I don’t just mean the career-transitioning, home-renovating, being-fathers kind of busy.)

The website has gotten some fresh updates:

• There have been more than 300 photo uploads and ‘Spot’ updates. Al has opened up one of his vaults and has been adding photos like crazy. And many of you have joined the fun. Thanks for all of your contributions! We are closer every day to our goal of becoming a truly comprehensive catalog. (To keep up with all of the updates, try subscribing to our rss reed.)
• The Maps and Doo Wop Spots pages have a snazzy new interface for filtering. We think it makes the navigation more intuitive and ‘friendlier.’
  The Maps page has also had an ‘under the hood’ re-vamping. It is now operating with the Ajax philosophy. It should make the map load a little smoother and a bit faster.
• All of our links now sport a spiffy preview feature. Now you can see where you are going before you get there. Ain’t the web a wonderful place? (Thanks to Thom, whose blogroll inspired this feature.)
• If you haven’t already noticed, the home page has gotten some fresh content. There’s a new ‘fun’ section that introduces our first-time visitors to some of the features of the site. One of the latest features…
• We now offer downloadable google earth (.kml) files. Download the doowopmap.kml file and open it in your google earth application. If you haven’t tinkered with google earth, it’s worth a try. You’ll spend hours just playing…we did!

There are lots of ‘little’ site modifications to add visually-pleasing touches, as well.  we hope you enjoy the updates and, as always, if you have some suggestions, drop us a line.

He now has a blog. (http://thewildwoodsreporter.wordpress.com)  The Backyard Fence has gone digital.
Way to go, Thom!

We look forward to discussing your coverage of the Wildwoods over there (especially Doo-Wop-related news.)

The details:

Doo Wop Motels: Architectural Treasures of The Wildwoods
Kirk Hastings
$19.95, PB, 128 pages, 130 color photos, 7¼ x 9
978-0-8117-3389-2, 0-8117-3389-0
Available: March, 2007
Buy this book »

We will continue to include any Doo Wop related events here, in our Doo Wop News page.

If you are looking for Wildwoods events, we recommend the Wildwoods Convention Center calendar.

It is included here in its entirety:

From: Dan MacElrevey
Date: Dec 31, 2006 2:47 PM
Subject: DOO WOP MAP

To all,

A bit of knowledge that might help with future resort plans and promotion.

Had 14 requests for walking tour maps and literature this week alone. Bet that is more than the welcome centers had at this time of the year. They all want to know more about the Wildwoods By-the-Sea and Doo Wop. From as far as the state of Washington.

A lesson on the importance of themes, architecture with a style, and “lifestyle/heritage” tourism–the buzzword in the trade publications this year. What resort is better positioned to take advantage of this two year old and growing sector of tourism?

John, could you share this bit of information with the GWTIDA board for their 2007 planning. To put in prospective, the presentation we had last spring in the Starlight Ballroom, discussing promotion and advertising, pointed this out also.

Have a Happy New Year.
Dan

Doo Wop Preservation League
www.doowopusa.org

Hmm…DOO WOP MAP…Where have I seen a Doo Wop map? (I think it was online somewhere…)

Seriously, though. WildwoodDooWop.com was conceived partly with this kind of thinking in mind. The current “web presence” of the Wildwoods (in terms of the newer technologies: syndication feeds, dynamic pages, etc.) could be improved, we thought.
It seems the inquiring public is yearning for the same thing. So here it is, folks. Enjoy!

And have a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Peace-

The Team

We offer two different feeds:

News

A list of posts from our ‘News’ page. (Which is a weblog. This is the most common use of an RSS feed–to quickly view new posts in a weblog or ‘blog.’)

Site Update

This is a custom feed that will list all of the changes and additions to our ‘Doo Wop’ and ‘Entertainment’ databases.

But, you may ask:

Q: How do I read WildwoodDooWop.com’s News and Site Update feeds?

A: You have your choice of two easy ways to read rss feeds.

1. A web-based News Aggregator: NewsGator, Bloglines, and new RSS content capabilities in My Yahoo! are probably the three best-known examples of web-based feed reading services. There are many more free programs out there that all do the same task - bring rss feeds to your desktop.
2. Stand-alone News Aggregator. For newsreaders, we recommend Tristana or FeedReader. Once again, there are many more free programs out there that will handle rss feeds. Once you’ve installed newsreader (or signed up for web based one), simply click here. On RSS feed page you will be able to preview current feed items and either subscribe to one of the commonly used newsreaders or copy URL of the page from the address bar and paste it into the newsreader you like.

Additionally, at the time of this writing, Firefox 2.0 and Internet Explorer 7.0 will automatically display feeds on a web page. Both browsers include options for subscribing. (We have found this to be the simplest method going.)

If all else fails, just contact us. We’re very approachable and patient and will help you any way we can.

So if you’re “jonesing” for a dose of the boardwalk and want to get a glimpse of the tram cars, head on over the Broad Street and look out for the B-Love Strutters Brigade of the Murray Comic Division.

It’s a great tribute to Doo Wop. (I don’t want to give too much away, but look for the mantle designed to mimic one of my favorite North Wildwood motels.)

-Troy

Click here to have a reminder sent to your email address or pda/cell phone. (TLC website)

There was some confusion about how to post information. We had links that would allow registered users to write ‘News’ posts (such as this one) which we could moderate and add to the site. It is not our intent to provide that kind of forum. The DWPL provides the main message board for “Doo Wop Discussion” and it serves that purpose exceedingly well.
So, we set to work removing those erroneous links (they are now gone.)

In the interim, ‘Bossman’ added the following post. It is posted here in its entirety:

Subject: Welcome from the ‘burgh!

From Pittsburgh, (actually West Mifflin) PA, I welcome this new site!

I haven’t had time to peruse it thoroughly, but there seems to be a myriad of information in various categories on it.

It also looks like there has been much time and effort put into it before it was launched. I hope it will be successful in letting those of us that have an interest or love of The Wildwoods, express ourselves. Those of you that have seen my letters written to the papers or my musings on other sites, may know that I have a few opinions about Wildwood and the current times. This site will only fuel my fire.

On another, personal note, I was having some trouble getting logged onto this site. Corey and Troy took the time to get me straightened out and I want to thank them, publicly. They could have just let me flounder and go away. They didn’t. Thanks, again.

Bossman Mike

Thanks for the kind words, Mike. And, again, sorry for the confusion.

We hope you are all enjoying the site. You can continue to expect improvements. Let us know what else you’d like to see.

The site is officially launched and we’ve had more than 20,000 page views about one new registration every hour.

Very exciting.

A couple of you have had questions. So here is a preliminary “Frequently Asked Questions”:

Q: I have a whole slew of pictures. Am I able to post these images?

A: For now, photos can only be sent to us via email (photos@wildwooddoowop.com). We are working on a photo upload process that will streamline the process, but we want to be able to screen the photos to prevent inappropriate material. Also, we want to be able to attribute the photos to the contributor. We’ll update everyone when we’ve got the upload running.

So here’s what we recommend: You can submit your ’spots’ to the site (with address and name, etc.) and email the photos separately. Please provide a brief description in the email , and we’ll include them in the appropriate place’s “details” page.

Q: What do you do with my profile information? I’m concerned about whether the first and last names recorded in user profiles are going to be visible to anyone other than site administration.

A: We do not post any of the information in your profile publicly. Only site admin (Al, Corey & Troy) can view your profile. Your username and IP address is logged in our database to track who contributes (and block spammers.) We may, in the future, list this on the ’spots’ pages (i.e. “Updated by homer (138.39.7.3) on 12/5/06″), but we do not right now.

Your profile page has an option of how to display your name publicly. This setting will only apply to the replies you make to posts in this ‘News‘ page.

So, in short, we only require a username and an email address if you want to contribute. If you are uncomfortable typing your name in anything–simply don’t.

Thanks for using the site. Keep the questions and suggestions coming!

-Troy