Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Avalon, New Jersey- News

  • Enough!

    21stPav

    Freight train like wind…steady rain…above average high tides…just another beautiful day at the shore   😉

    I’m looking at the American flags on top of Hoy’s 5 & 10 (that’s my version of the Weather Channel from my office)- sustained winds from the north east.

    The bridge between Avalon and Sea Isle is closed (waves crash over the rocks during this type of storm)- and there is moderate flooding near the bay in the low lying areas.

    P.S.  The wind by the ocean (21st Street pavilion) was incredible- taking this picture was a challenge!

    P.S. The Townsend Inlet bridge (between Avalon and Sea Isle City) will be closed until next week.  A barge on site for repairs broke loose during the storm and hit the bridge- possibly causing some structural damage. 

  • Avalon/ Sea Isle City

    LifeguardAvalon The mayors of Avalon and Sea Isle City are working together on a beach fill project. 

    According to an article in the Cape May County Herald, the communities are not waiting for state/federal funding because the need is immediate.

    In Sea Isle City, the focus is on the 73rd to 93rd Street beaches; and in Avalon, 9th to 26th Streets will be replenished.

  • October- Market Stats

    Avalon and Stone Harbor:  During the month of October, 27 properties SOLD (settled)  There are an additional 48 properties sale pending with settlement in the near future.

    Prices ranged from $369,899 for a 2 bedroom condo on the bay; to $2,800,000 for a new, Stone Harbor custom home on a large lot- 1 block from the beach.  The median selling price was $1,445,000.

    19 of the 27 sales were single family homes.

    Statistically,  current market values are in line with values from 2003.   If you calculate the entire 10 year period (a reasonable holding time for real estate), seashore real estate still grew in value.

    Example (based on an actual house located in the 100 block of 36th Street, Avalon).  Standard 2 level upside down style home built in 1980.  It SOLD in 1988 for $281,500; 1990 for $325,000;  1998 for $355,000; 2002 for $849,000; and in 2005 for $1,782,830.  Realistically, this house is worth in the $1,400,000 range today (falling within the average 20% decline since the peak in 2005). 

    If you would like specific value information for your neighborhood, please let me know-  ann@anndelaney.com

  • Avalon Beaches, continued

    100_1156

    20th Street- looking north.  The established dunes are in place.

     

     

     

     

    100_1163

    12th Street- looking south.  The sand added in recent years to create longer dune paths is intact.

  • Avalon Beaches

    12thStPath12th Street beach path.

    Tip:  If a path is blocked, be careful of the drop off at the end!

     

     

     

    12thStSouth

    The damage to the north end beach is significant, but not as bad as expected.  There is a steep drop off at the end of most beach paths (I walked out -carefully- at 20th, 15th, and 12th Streets).

  • Sunday Sights

    Sunday High tide on Dune Drive! 

    Glad for a back parking lot at work.  Water is quickly surrounding the cars parked on the street.

    The winds are now from the north and expected from the north west by this afternoon.  That will keep the bay waters high, but help on the beach side.

  • Storm Chaser

    seawall For the best view of a Nor’easter- head to the inlet in Avalon.  I couldn’t see over the 7th Street sea wall from my car (I think that’s the point of the sea wall)…so had to get out for a better look.

     

     

    splash

      Refreshing!  A salt water shower for me and my car.  So much for my comment about the crazy people driving through the flooded streets this morning   😉

     

     

     

    10thStreet

      A sand blasting on the 10th Street beach path finished my “storm chaser” field trip.  Ouch!

  • Avalon & Stone Harbor Elementary Schools

    I attended the meeting last week regarding the consolidation of the 2 island elementary schools. 

    Based on the study presented at the meeting:  projected enrollment for each school is not expected to rise.  Avalon has an average of 75 students; Stone Harbor 69.  Tuition students- approximately 10 per school.

    The Avalon School has a capacity for 200 students; Stone Harbor 150 students.  If the 2 schools combined, the average class size would be 15 students.

    The cost savings to the tax payers- less than $100 per year.  The real benefit is the social interaction for the students and ultimately, a better education.

    The school boards have 3 options:  1) no change; 2) a send/receive agreement utilizing both facilities with the lower grades in Stone Harbor, and the higher grades in Avalon; 3) a complete merger to one facility- the Avalon structure is newer and larger, so the likely choice.

    The send/receive option is the easiest to implement and does not require a public vote.  Both school boards are discussing the study now.

  • Columbus Day Weekend

    OctSaturday The news reported falling temperatures, but it’s still 70 degrees at the shore.

    Perfect weather to enjoy the local soccer tournaments, the Avalon Seafood Festival (30th and the beach), and the Stone Harbor Art Show (96th Street).

    Jellyfish

    Or, take a walk along the beach and see the odd looking jelly fish.  Quite pretty actually…for jelly fish.

    Have a great weekend!

  • Schools on the Island

    http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/55144-sevenmile+schools+examine+consolidation+options

    An article regarding the ongoing debate to consolidate the 2 elementary schools on the island.  The State of New Jersey will eventually force action, so the hope is that the 2 communities can work together to determine a positive solution.

    Back in the dark ages (when I attended Avalon Elementary), new families were moving to town and the school population was growing- even prompting an addition to the school in the early 1970’s.  Stone Harbor’s class size has always been smaller than Avalon’s- creating social issues for the students.

    Now, both schools rely on tuition students to partially fill the classrooms. 

    The Avalon Land and Homeowners Association has scheduled a meeting on October 7th at 7pm in the Avalon Elementary School- looking for public comment.