CAPE MAY, N.J. — In a milestone years in the making, the City of Cape May has officially broken ground on an $8.6 million police headquarters that will bring the resort town’s law-enforcement operations into the modern era—while honoring the historic character that defines America’s oldest seaside resort.
City officials, officers of the Cape May Police Department, project partners, and residents gathered Wednesday at the project site at Lafayette Street and St. Johns Street to celebrate the start of construction. The project marks the first time in city history that Cape May’s police force will have a purpose-built, standalone headquarters.
A Modern Facility Rooted in Victorian Tradition
The new station has been designed by Robbie Conley Architect, LLC, the firm appointed by City Council as the project’s “special project architect.” Conley’s design blends modern public-safety standards with a façade inspired by Cape May’s Victorian streetscape—a defining feature city leaders emphasized early in the planning process.
The resulting concept includes architectural elements that echo the surrounding historic district, while integrating the secure infrastructure, technology, and flexible interior layout required of a 21st-century law-enforcement facility.
“This is a building that will meet our operational needs while fitting beautifully within the city we serve,” officials said at the ceremony.
Ogren Construction to Lead the Build
Construction has been awarded to Ogren Construction of Vineland, a South Jersey firm with experience in municipal and public-safety facilities. Work is expected to continue through late spring 2027.
When complete, the new station will feature:
- Improved public access and ADA-compliant circulation
- Updated technology throughout the building
- Purpose-built interview, processing, and evidence-handling areas
- Enhanced training and briefing rooms
- Energy-efficient and sustainable design components
- Space for future departmental growth
The facility replaces the aging station inside City Hall on Washington Street, which has served as the department’s base for decades but lacks the space and infrastructure needed for modern police operations.
A Commitment to the Future
Officials emphasized that the project is not only an investment in infrastructure but also in the safety and well-being of residents, visitors, and officers.
With construction underway, the Cape May Police Department is on track to move into its new home in 2027—one that reflects both the city’s Victorian heritage and its dedication to modern public safety.
