Atlantic County to Repair Brigantine Handicap Beach Access Ramp, Levinson Says

BRIGANTINE, N.J. — Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson says Atlantic County will take responsibility for repairing the deteriorated handicap-accessible beach ramp at Brigantine's seawall, marking what appears to be the clearest public acknowledgment yet that the county will oversee the long-delayed project.

During an appearance Monday morning on WOND's Don Williams Show, Levinson said the county plans to repair the storm-damaged access ramp before ultimately transferring responsibility for the structure to the City of Brigantine through a memorandum of understanding.

"We'll fix it, and then we'll turn it over to Brigantine," Levinson said.

The deteriorated ramp has become the subject of growing criticism from Brigantine residents, including signs recently posted along the seawall blaming Levinson for the lack of accessible beach access. The issue has also generated complaints from residents who say the damaged ramp has limited access for people with disabilities during the busy summer season.

Levinson said the damage was caused by erosion beneath the ramp.

"It's eroded out," he said. "If you'd noticed, the sand is gone from there."

The county executive said officials only recently concluded that Atlantic County bears responsibility for the structure after reviewing how it was originally built.

According to Levinson, Brigantine was unable to apply directly for grant funding to construct the ramp years ago, so Atlantic County submitted the application instead.

"We applied for it, but we had to say that it was ours," Levinson said. "Under the circumstances, we ended up with it. You know, I have to be fair, it seems that's our responsibility."

Later in the interview, Levinson reiterated that commitment.

"I will take the responsibility," he said.

Although Levinson accepted responsibility for repairing the ramp, he repeatedly criticized what he described as a lack of communication from Brigantine officials.

"If this is such a big deal, pick up the phone and call the county executive," Levinson said, adding that he has not spoken directly with Mayor Vince Sera in nearly two years and has not heard from any of the city's six council members regarding the issue.

"I have not spoken to one single solitary council person," Levinson said. "The mayor talks to me through Ken Lefevre."

Levinson said county officials have already met with Brigantine representatives and have drafted a memorandum of understanding outlining how responsibility for the structure would eventually be transferred to the city after repairs are completed.

The county executive did not provide a timeline for when construction would begin or when the damaged ramp would reopen.

"We're waiting to get this thing done," Levinson said. "We have an agreement of understanding right now with Brigantine, and all you guys got to do is sign off on it."

During the interview, Brigantine resident Brooks Keenan also raised concerns about nonfunctioning promenade lighting and whether guardrails and beach access meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Levinson said the county believes defective workmanship by the lighting contractor caused the lighting failures and expects the manufacturer to return to make repairs.

Levinson acknowledged that both the damaged ramp and inoperative lights present safety concerns.

"It is a liability," he said. "You are absolutely correct."

Brigantine officials were not interviewed during Monday's radio program. South Jersey NewsBeat has reached out to Mayor Vince Sera for comment regarding the county executive's statements and the status of the proposed memorandum of understanding. If received, those comments will be added to this story.