Lucy the Elephant getting $5.4M makeover via NJEDA CAFE Program
New Jersey just approved a big grant for Lucy.
The short version
- The landmark Elephant gets a five-point-four million dollar tax credit.
- Funds pay for interior repairs and a new visitor center.
- Groundbreaking is aimed for April 2027 in Margate City.
Check your travel plans for the Jersey Shore because the biggest roadside animal in America is getting a massive overhaul. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority, a state agency that backs business and community growth, just approved a $5.4 million tax credit to renovate Lucy the Elephant in Margate City.
According to ROI-NJ, the funds will pay for interior restoration and a brand new visitor center, completing a five-year preservation plan for the 145-year-old wooden structure. Workers will patch water-damaged plaster, fix moisture-damaged wood, replace the heating and cooling system, and improve fire suppression systems.
The project also brings new landscaping, lighting, and accessible walkways so seniors and school groups can tour the site easily. “This is an extraordinary day for Lucy,” said Richard Helfant, executive director and CEO of Lucy the Elephant, after 17 months of uncertainty.
The six-story landmark was originally built in 1881 to promote real estate sales and draw tourists to the coast before becoming a National Historic Landmark in 1976. Mayor Michael Collins of Margate noted that the ADA-compliant center is a major milestone for the city.
Leadership is aiming to break ground in April 2027, with construction expected to take 12 to 16 months. The money comes through the Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion Program, backed by city funds, the New Jersey Historic Trust, and a federal spending grant.
That is a whole lot of lumber for a pachyderm that has been standing tall since the administration of Chester A. Arthur.
