Downbeach.com readers kept abreast of the news in Ventnor, Margate and Longport this year. Here are a few of the most read stories of 2025.
January
Citing a shortage of parking spaces, the city started the year noting a new trolley or other transportation service was being discussed with hopes of having it in place by the summer season. Administrator Patrick Moran said the city was gathering information about what type of transportation, associated costs and potential routes could be considered before it decides if it will solicit bids for the service. Nothing materialized and congestion along the Amherst Avenue marina district continued to clog the street as restaurant goers used ride share services to get to their reservations in time.
https://downbeach.com/news/2025/jan/03/margate-to-consider-instituting-tram-service-for-summer/
March
Liberty Gas Station
The Board of Commissioners voted 2-1, with Commissioner Maury Blumberg objecting, to purchase the old Liberty gas station on Ventnor Avenue with the intention of turning it into a parking lot. On July 18, 2024, the board approved a $3 million bond to purchase the lot and develop it into a 30-spot parking lot. Residents disagreed about the motivation to solve a parking problem and the excessive cost of purchasing the property. The seller would be liable for cleaning up any contamination left behind, but none was found.
https://downbeach.com/news/2025/mar/07/margate-to-proceed-with-purchase-of-liberty-gas-station/
April
Plans for the Washington Avenue streetscape project were on display during a public meeting with residents Monday, Nov. 24, 2025.City engineer Ed Dennis Jr. April 17 presented plans for the long-awaited Washington Avenue streetscape plan, which was first identified in the 2017 Master Plan, to create a pathway connecting the Ventnor Avenue and Amherst Avenue business districts. Dennis said the city revised the plan after discussing it with key city stakeholders. The plan includes replacing underground utilities, new sidewalks, curbs, gutters, street trees and lighting. The project would continue to be a controversial topic at commission meetings throughout the year.
https://downbeach.com/news/2025/apr/21/margate-presents-washington-avenue-streetscape-plan/
May
Ventnor SocialSantucci’s Original Square Pizza on Ventnor Avenue in Ventnor, which was rebuilt just a few years ago from an aging hardware store, undergoes a makeover and reopens as Ventnor Social and quickly becomes Ventnor’s new popular gathering place for locals and visitors.
https://downbeach.com/news/2025/may/09/ventnor-social-takes-over-santuccis/
Something as simple as selling ice cream and now coffee on the beach in Margate becomes controversial when the city awarded two contracts for vendors to sell ice cream and iced coffee on the beach last summer. Two rounds of bidding were required before the contracts could be awarded.
June
With the days of Capt. Andy’s long gone in the rear view mirror, the Marina Special District June 13 welcomed a new three-story restaurant that provides a phenomenal view of the bay by day and sunsets at dusk. The restaurant, Tideline, operated by the folks at Tomatoe’s, offers a fabulous menu and convenient dock mooring for boaters looking for spot to dine on the water. It quickly became the place to be seen last summer.
Residents who live near the Sunrise Tequila bar at 9700 Ventnor Ave. say their quality of life is being severely impacted by the noise coming from the overcrowded second floor bar. Neighbors who live near the recently rebuilt liquor store and bar are still complaining even after the summer season, but the placed is packed every night.
A vehicle coming out of the Wawa parking lot crashes into the plate glass window at AAAA Bike Shop, 5300 Ventnor Ave. in Ventnor on a quiet Tuesday morning rendering the building unsafe for business. The store was closed at the time and nobody was injured, but the store had to close until the window was repaired.
https://downbeach.com/news/2025/jun/17/car-crashes-into-ventnors-landmark-bike-shop/
September
10 West Dr., Margate, NJA federal judge nullifies the sale of a Margate home and ordered the sellers to return the full $1.5 million sale price to the buyers. Apparently, the sellers failed to disclose the property underwent substantial improvements without obtaining permits from the City of Margate.
October
Margate City Administrator Pat Moran threatens to file a Complaint for Removal with the NJ Department of Community Affairs to remove CFO Lisa McLaughlin from her job. Moran alleges she failed to perform her duties, insubordination, conduct unbecoming a public employee, neglect of duty, misuse of public property, violating city rules and regulations and unauthorized use of computers, internet and email, and failure to perform the duties of a municipal CFO. Numerous residents stepped up to speak in support of McLaughlin at several meetings. To date, the complaint has yet to be filed, and McLaughlin is on medical leave due to the stress of the situation.
https://downbeach.com/news/2025/oct/10/margate-moves-to-remove-chief-financial-officer
