MARGATE – Childhood dreams came true for U.S. Senator Cory Booker Friday as he stood inside the world’s most famous pachyderm, Lucy the Elephant. The senator made some dreams come true for the Save Lucy Committee too, as he delivered an elephant sized check to ensure Lucy’s ongoing restoration continues.
Booker, who is on his annual tour of all 21 counties in New Jersey, stopped by the National Historic Landmark to deliver a $500,000 Congressionally Directed Spending donation, which will be used to restore Lucy’s interior.
Booker stood beneath the four-story tall elephant and called the experience “extraordinary.”
“Since I was a kid coming down to this incredible community, this elephant stood out in my life,” he said. “Elephants don’t forget, and neither do I forget my childhood and know how special this is.”
Booker said Lucy is the oldest roadside attraction in the nation and part of the state’s heritage and therefore, she should be supported and preserved.
“We are so grateful to Sen. Booker for this generous donation and look forward to many good things happening with Lucy the Elephant,” said Davida Ross who chairs the Save Lucy Committee.
Mayor Michael Collins said the City of Margate has pledged up to $1.5 million to build a $3.5 million visitors center next to the elephant. The committee has an ongoing capital campaign and has received other grants to support the effort and other grants are pending, he said.
Lucy recently completed a $2.4 million exterior sheathing renovation funded with grants and donations.
“The committee applied for this Congressional funding last year, but didn’t get it, so they tried again this year, and it was awarded,” he said.
Board member William Subin said he was pleased that Sen. Booker recognizes the value of the historical structure, which was saved from the wrecking ball in 1970 when a group of concerned citizens stepped forward to save her. They put the giant elephant on a lift and wheeled her two blocks south from her old home on Cedar Grove Avenue to her current location. Lucy’s former location is now the home of a high-rise condominium building.
“Lucy is valuable not only to this community, but to the hundreds of thousands of people who come to enjoy her historic significance,” Subin said.
The Congressional funding is part of a series of grants awarded for Lucy’s restoration and to build an interpretive center, which will provide accessibility for those who cannot climb the narrow spiral staircase inside Lucy’s leg.
Booker spent time mingling and joking with local dignitaries, including members of the Board of Commissioners, Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners and state representatives, Sen. Vince Polistina, Assemblywoman Claire Swift and Assemblyman Don Guardian.
Booker was anxious to tour the inside of Lucy the Elephant and listened as a volunteer spoke about how Lucy was saved from the wrecking ball. While inside, he checked out every display and climbed to Lucy’s howdah, which offers a fantastical view of Absecon Island and the Atlantic Ocean.
“This is really exciting. I can’t believe I’m inside her,” Booker said.
Executive Director Richard Helfant said the committee will break ground on the new building in October, and Lucy’s interior restoration will begin in the fourth quarter of 2025. A grand opening is expected to be held by Memorial Day 2026.
https://downbeach.com/news/2023/aug/20/lucy-the-elephant-requests-15-million-from-taxpaye/
Copyright Access Network 2024
