Dear Friends,
I’m happy to announce that the Army Corps of Engineers will return to Ocean City this fall to rebuild our north end beaches. The project comes at no cost to the city. The multimillion-dollar replenishment work will be completed a year ahead of schedule and will be funded entirely by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (based on damage from the nor’easter Jonas in January 2016). The project will restore beaches from Seaspray Road to 14th Street.
The Army Corps is expected to approve a contract for the work by the end of August. The exact project schedule will be available once the successful bidder is determined, but the project must be finished at the latest by March 2018. Ocean City’s south end also remains on schedule for a renourishment project sometime in late 2018 or early 2019.
The city recently acquired an easement for beach property near North Street that represented the last obstacle for an uninterrupted protective dune system the length of our oceanfront. I’d like to thank the Army Corps and the state Department of Environmental Protection for their continued cooperation and partnership in protecting coastal properties in Ocean City and other shore towns.
The weekend forecast looks good, and the beaches, boardwalk and streets will be very busy. I ask again that all pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers be patient and follow the rules of the road. As you all know, drinking alcohol in public or on the beach is against the law in Ocean City. I want to remind you that this ordinance will be strictly enforced.
Tickets are still available for the Ocean City Pops’ Broadway Salute at 8 p.m. Sunday and the Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes concert at 7 p.m. Monday. Both shows are on the Ocean City Music Pier, and tickets are available at the Music Pier Box Office or at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice. Tickets for Monday’s concert are also available at ticketmaster.com .
Warm regards,
Jay A. Gillian
Mayor
