After nearly 150 years, the iconic Lucy the Elephant landmark in Margate is getting a little work done.
The N.J. Economic Development Authority board recently approved up to $5.4 million in tax credits through its Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion Program for the Lucy the Elephant Interpretive Visitor Center and Elephant Interior Rehabilitation Project in Margate City.
The project completes a five-year preservation plan for the National Historic Landmark. And it comes with the kind of checklist any owner of an old Shore house would recognize. There’s water-damaged plaster to patch and refinish and moisture-damaged wood to repair. The HVAC system is being replaced, along with upgrades to insulation, ventilation, ductwork, drains and fire suppression.
The new interpretive center will let more people experience Lucy, including visitors with mobility limitations, school groups, families and seniors. It also gives the Save Lucy Committee space to host programs with local artists and performers. Site work includes new landscaping, lighting, fencing and at-grade walkways to make getting around Lucy easier.
Richard Helfant, Executive Director and CEO of Lucy the Elephant, said the approval came after a long wait.
“This is an extraordinary day for Lucy,” he said. “After 17 months of uncertainty and perseverance, we have finally reached a turning point. This approval represents an enormous step forward in our efforts to preserve Lucy for future generations, enhance the visitor experience, and create a destination worthy of one of New Jersey’s most beloved and recognizable landmarks.”
To be clear, Lucy always has been about business.
Developer James Lafferty put her up in 1881 to draw buyers and tourists to the area. She stands six stories tall, was named a National Historic Landmark in 1976 and, according to the EDA, has consistently been ranked the No. 1 roadside attraction by USA Today.
The award is part of a larger EDA push in Atlantic County that includes historic preservation, food security infrastructure and commercial corridor revitalization. The authority also recently approved $8.6 million to build the Aerospace Innovation Center in Egg Harbor Township, the state’s first Strategic Innovation Center devoted solely to aviation.
In fact, EDA CEO Evan Weiss framed the award as an economic play as much as a preservation one.
“The rehabilitation of this historic landmark will support South Jersey’s tourism economy by helping attract more visitors, increase foot traffic for local businesses, and generate investment that benefits residents, entrepreneurs, and communities throughout Atlantic County,” he said.
The CAFE award is one piece of a broader public funding partnership. The City of Margate is contributing, the New Jersey Historic Trust is providing support and the project has a federal Congressionally Directed Spending Grant.
Margate Mayor Michael Collins called it a milestone for the whole town.
“The new ADA-compliant visitor and interpretive center will provide an opportunity for all to experience our beloved landmark,” he said. “We are excited to see this project advance forward.”
Assemblyman Don Guardian, a former Atlantic City mayor who knows a thing or two about Shore attractions, gave credit to the volunteers who pushed the application through.
“The workers and volunteers of the Save Lucy Committee are tireless in their advocacy for our pachyderm treasure, and I commend their perseverance through the application process,” he said.
State Sen. Vince Polistina pointed to the ripple effect on the local economy.
“Investing in its preservation means protecting that legacy, sustaining tourism, and supporting the local businesses that are vital to our Shore economy,” he said.
