FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BEACH THEATRE FOUNDATION URGES CAPE MAY CITY COUNCIL

TO REVERSE NO ACTION STANCE ON HISTORIC DESIGNATION

Foundation trustees send letter to Council

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 Cityʼs 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 Councilʼs 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 solicitorʼs concern that the theatreʼs owners are currently re-
applying 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 Cityʼs new convention hall.”

Separately, Steve Jackson, president and founder of the BTF, added, “People should not think because
the theatre has been allowed to fall into ruin that it is does not have historic merit.” Jackson also
commented on Cityʼs next steps, “Itʼs 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.”

The letter has been made public and can be found at the foundationʼs website: www.beachtheatre.org.

About Beach Theatre Foundation, Inc.

The Beach Theatre Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) designated corporation founded in 2007. Itʼs
mission is to save the historic Beach Theatre in Cape May, New Jersey and operate the theatre to enrich
the entertainment, cultural and educational values of Cape May and southern New Jersey. The Beach
Theatre was first opened in 1950 as an 806 seat movie theatre by Huntʼs Theatres, Inc. Designed by
famed architect William Harold Lee, the theatre was placed on Preservation New Jerseyʼs Ten Most
Endangered Historic Sites in New Jersey in 2008.

Contact: ! Steve Jackson 609-849-8780 steve@beachtheatre.org