By Steffen Klenk
Traveling across the former Beesleys Point Bridge as a kid was always a special treat. Sitting in the backseat with my headphones on, I always knew that at some point along the journey to Cape May, I would wind up seeing a giant tower resembling that of a lighthouse. For many road-weary travelers, it was often a sign that you weren’t far from your vacation destination. The structure has often been described as a landmark to some residents that call South Jersey home. For others, it’s demolition will be a welcome sight.
No matter which way you see it, the B.L. England Power Plant is no more. By the time you read this, after 10 a.m. Thursday morning, the 475-foot-tall smokestack will have been imploded. The site was originally home to four electric generators in 1961 and, a year later, the first of two coal-fired units was introduced. As the decade progressed, new features were added on, including upgraded cast iron pipes, capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, a water pump, and cooling tower.
As the 21st century arrived, so did a need for up-to-date environmental standards. In 2013, one of the two coal plants was shuttered, with the ultimate plan of converting the plant to natural gas to be delivered through a series of underground pipelines. Ultimately, the plans fell through, and, on May 1, 2019, B.L. England closed for good.
Last September, the hyperboloid cooling tower was demolished, and the boiler units were imploded this past April. While the cleanup process is underway, plans are in place to re-develop the site for new use, which could lead to the construction of a hotel, with retail shops and restaurants, and potential for outdoor activities and nature-based exploration. A portion of the site may also be used as a landing site for the slated Ocean Wind 1 turbine project off the Cape May County coast. Further details on the property’s future are still in discussion.
If you missed Thursday’s implosion, full video coverage is available for replay on Shore Local’s social media channels, on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.
