Beach Theatre Foundation Non-Profit Organization Historic Movie Theater Preservation Cape May NJ

The Beach Theatre Foundation

Our Mission Statement

The Beach Theatre Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization formed to preserve and restore the historically authenticated Beach Theatre in Cape May, New Jersey and utilize the complex as a state-of-the-art showcase for cinema and the arts.

Excellence in a diverse array of films will be the hallmark of the theatre for the cultural benefit of the residents of Cape May, Southern New Jersey and visitors from around the world.

The foundation’s visionary goal is to establish the Beach Theatre and Cape May as an internationally recognized center for film history, film preservation & restoration, independent filmmaking and film education.

Beach Theatre Foundation, Inc.
711 Beach Avenue
P.O. Box 258
Cape May, New Jersey 08204
609-849-8780
steve@beachtheatre.org

The Beach Theatre Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax-deductible.

The BTF is a proud member of the League of Historic American Theatres.

Board of Directors

Steve Jackson, President & Founder
Ray Roberts, Vice President
Bernie Haas, Treasurer
Jim Testa

Advisory Council To The Board

Bob Biehn
Pip Campbell
Tom Carroll
Lelah Eppenbach
Karen Fox
David Kurkowski
Bruce Minnix
James H. Pickering, Esq.
David A. Schultz, AIA
Barry R. Sharer, CPA
Lauren Shenfield
Richmond Shreve
Harley Shuler
Jeannie Testa
Susan Tischler
Peter Vivian

For media & fundraising inquiries, please contact info@beachtheatre.org

Privacy Policy

The Beach Theatre Foundation is committed to protecting the privacy of the personal information of its patrons, donors, visitors, employees, directors and other stakeholders. We value the trust of those we deal with, and of the public, and recognize that maintaining this trust requires that we be transparent and accountable in how we treat the information that you choose to share with us.

During the course of our various activities we must gather and use personal information. This information is carefully protected and any use of or other dealing with this information is subject to consent. The Beach Theatre Foundation does not share, trade or sell personal information.

Privacy Practices

Personal information gathered by our organization is kept in confidence. Our personnel are authorized to access personal information based only on their need to deal with the information for the reason(s) for which it was obtained.

We collect, use and disclose personal information only for purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate in light of the circumstances. Individuals are offered the opportunity to opt not to have their information used for purposes beyond those for which it was explicitly collected.

The Beach Theatre Foundation makes every reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy of the information held. Individuals are entitled to examine the information held about themselves subject to the restrictions provided by law.

Contact Information

Questions, concerns or complaints relating to the Beach Theatre Foundation’s privacy policy or the treatment of personal information should be e-mailed to steve@beachtheatre.org.

The Beach needs you more than ever!

If successful, the appeal to the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the City of Cape May to demolish the Beach Theatre will not only mean the destruction of an important piece of mid-20th Century architecture, but the end of going to the movies in Cape May. The appeal to demolish the theatre has dragged on since July, 2010. Each hearing requires our foundation to supply an accomplished attorney and expert witnesses to testify that the Beach Theatre is historically significant. We need fresh resources to keep the fight to save the Beach going.

Will you please help us by donating to our legal support fund? Any amount you can give helps. Use your major credit card to make a tax-deductible donation. Or send your check to Beach Theatre Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 258, Cape May, NJ 08204.

Your contribution will help us stop the demolition of the Beach Theatre. Learn more.

May 24, 2011

Beach Theatre Foundation Proposes Loan Payback Plan

Submits Plan To City of Cape May For Pledgors To Begin Payments

May 17, 2011

Judge to set timing for Beach Theatre suit

CAPE MAY The Beach Theatre Foundation, Inc. (BTF) announced today that a scheduling conference is scheduled for May 18 ^th on its order to show cause filed last week in New Jersey Superior Court to invalidate the settlement of litigation between Frank Investments, Inc. and the City of Cape May allowing demolition of the Beach Theatre by year end. The suit, originally filed in March 2011 by Frank Investments, contended that the Theatre owner was misled by erroneous legal ruling by the City attorney regarding the extension of a 2007 demolition permit under state legislation . In papers filed on May 10^th, the BTF sought to nullify the settlement as improperly adopted by the City Council and lacking legal foundation. The settlement interferes with the appeal before the Zoning Board of Adjustment and improperly validates demolition permit that expired and that was not extended by the Permit Extension Act of 2008. Prior to the suit filed against the City, Frank Investments had been attempting to convince the City’s Zoning Board of Adjustment to overturn a decision of the City’s Historic Preservation Commission denying a demolition permit. The HPC and the Planning Board determined that the 1950s era Beach Theatre had historic significance. Judge Valerie H. Armstrong will establish a schedule for the respective sides to brief and argue the issues. Judge Armstrong will preside over the litigation.

"We are very pleased Judge Armstrong will be setting a calendar for us to move forward with our motion for intervention and relief so that we can present our point-of-view concerning this improper and illegal settlement between the City of Cape May and Frank Investments," said Steve Jackson, Beach Theatre Foundation President. Jackson added, "We believe it will be clear that the City did not follow proper guidelines concerning the announcement of the vote to approve this litigation settlement. More importantly, the settlement confers a demolition permit extension that cannot be given out based upon the terms of the original permit. This application needs to go back to the Zoning Board of Adjustment where it rightfully belongs."

April 5, 2011

Another appeal to Cape May City Council

CAPE MAY At the Cape May City Council monthly work session meeting, a representative from the Beach Theatre Foundation offered yet another letter to the council asking for action on the recommendations of the city's Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Board to designate the Beach Theatre as an historic structure.READ THE LETTER HERE.

There was no response from the city council members.

In a related matter the Zoning Board of Adjustment of Cape May adjourned at 10 p.m. on April 6th after hearing the testimony and cross-examination of just one witness, Joan Berkey, an architectural historian in Cape May County. The hearings are continued until May 26, 2011.

March 1, 2011 (from the Press of Atlantic City)

Memories of Beach Theatre Linger

By RICHARD DEGENER, Staff Writer Press of Atlantic City

CAPE MAY — Vicki Mathas would go to the Beach Theatre and stare at images of the ocean. The white foam and the sun’s reflection in the waves are still with her more than a half-century later.

Mathas was not looking at the screen at the city’s premier movie theater in the summer of 1960. She was in the lobby looking at gigantic murals hung by theater owner William C. Hunt.

“I don’t remember the movies. The thing I remember is the paintings in the lobby. They had lights on them and were set up like an art gallery. They weren’t great paintings, but for a little girl they were awesome,” said Mathas, 59, of Mount Laurel, Burlington County...

Cape May City Council urged to support designation of Beach Theatre as historic site

CAPE MAY, NJ, February 24, 2011 - The Beach Theatre Foundation (BTF) announced today that its board of trustees delivered a letter to the Cape May City Council urging that body to ratify the recommendations of the City's Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Board to designate the Beach Theatre as an historic site.

In the letter, the BTF noted the passage of time that has occurred since the recommendation was given to the Council, “It has been in Council's purview and subject to legislative discretion for 16 months. Although we had urged you to act on this previously, we were profoundly disappointed to learn that you refused to do so publicly at your meeting of February 1, 2011.”

The letter goes on to address the City solicitor's concern that the theatre's owners are currently reapplying for a demolition permit for the theatre with the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA), “Thus despite the rationale advanced by the City Solicitor as reported in the press, in fact, it is not you who is interfering in a proceeding, rather it was a proceeding begun by an applicant that knew the designation process was two-thirds completed that is interfering with your zoning discretion. For Frank Investments to proceed in its appeal was fully in the scope of risk that you might act.”

The letter ends by pointing out the significant benefits that would come from a designation, “An improved and renovated Beach Theatre would not only be impressive evidence Cape May should come off the National Park Service watch list, it would also represent an attractive complement to the future viability of the City's new convention hall.”

Separately, Steve Jackson, president and founder of the BTF, added, “It's the right thing for the City to do. The HPC understands better than anyone what are the important historic assets of Cape May. Furthermore, preservation experts including Preservation New Jersey have confirmed the historical merits of this very unique mid-century neo-colonial movie theatre. And with the issue of our landmark status in question, why would the City act in a manner that would further jeopardize our National Historic Landmark status? It is clear that right now our town is being scrutinized for any preservation actions we take or not take.”

Read the letter Re: Historic Designation approval by HPC and Planning Board

_______________________________

City of Cape May Loan Demand

On April 30th, the Beach Theatre Foundation responded to the City of Cape May's demand for repayment for the loan given by the City from New Jersey state funds for use to secure the lease of the theater in 2007. Although the term of the loan as stated is through September 2012, the City has called the loan as a result of the Frank Investment management's refusal to renew the lease which was tied to the City loan. The BTF was awaiting a response from their letter requesting they delay action pending the outcome of a Zoning Board hearing in which the Franks are again attempting to seek demolition permits which were denied by the by the Historic Preservation Commission. Now in response to our request, the City of Cape May has mailed notices to our founding pledgors demanding that they fulfill certain pledges to the Beach Theatre Foundation, Inc. (the "BTF") regarding its $100,000 note issued to the City in October 2007. The City seeks to have recipients sign notes and pay sums directly to the City. The BTF Board believes the acceleration was without business sense or justification, was politically motivated, and done in bad faith.

Read the letter Re: Certain Beach Theatre Foundation Loan Matters dated October 18, 2010

Read the letter to guarantors from Beach Theatre Foundation dated October 3, 2010

Read the text of the Letter to the City Manager and City Council of Cape May dated April 30, 2010

Read attachment Letter to Honorable Mayor Ed Mahaney and Bruce MacLeod, Cape May City Manager dated September 24, 2009

Demolition Prevented

On Wednesday, January 20, 2010 the Cape May City Historic Preservation Commission heard a case for partial demolition presented by Frank Investments, owners of the Beach Theatre complex. After three hours of presentation and testimony, followed by public comment, the commission voted 5-2 to decline the petition. This was the second such petition to the HPC. The first demolition permit was granted in 2007, but not executed by the owners before it expired.

Read the Beach Theatre Foundation's Statement read into the record by Treasurer Bernard Haas