Dear Friends,
More than 100 people attended a town hall meeting last night to share their thoughts on the Ninth Street corridor in Ocean City. The city currently has what I consider a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire properties that could change the face of Ocean City – to turn abandoned gas stations into parks or public facilities. Because we won’t get this chance again, I want to make sure I get full feedback from the public. I’d like to personally thank everybody who attended and participated last night. The city heard a wide range of ideas, questions and concerns, and all will be considered as we move forward.
I also want to encourage everybody who could not attend to provide their input by completing this brief survey: www.ocnj.us/survey.
One conceptual plan shared on Thursday includes open space at the corner of Ninth Street and Bay Avenue, where a blighted Exxon station once stood and where a local real estate agency hopes to build a new office. That particular site is included because the city had plans to address the abandoned property there long before the private company expressed an interest. I don’t want anybody to think that the city is trying to interfere with a business deal that could bring new ratables and new services to town.
I hope you all share my enthusiasm for beautifying the gateway to Ocean City, and I’m excited to take your ideas and help make them come true.
I’d like to remind everybody that the boardwalk between 8th Street and 10th Street will be closed starting Tuesday (Oct. 11) as we prepare for the next phase of boardwalk reconstruction (read more). The section between 8th Street and the Music Pier will be complete by First Night, and the entire project should be done by the end of March, if not earlier. I thank you all for your patience as this important work continues.
The bridges and Route 52 causeway will be lit pink for October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. City team members also donned pink today as part of the awareness campaign. There are very few families in our community who have not been affected in some way by breast cancer, and it’s my hope that we all can help the American Cancer Society to better prevent, detect and treat the disease.
Because of the potential for rough seas, the fireworks scheduled for Saturday night (Oct. 8) have been canceled, but all other events will continue as scheduled. The annual Fall Block Party will run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Asbury Avenue between 5th Street and 14th Street. The Block Party is always one of the highlights of the season, and I hope you’ll be able to come out and have some fun.
Warm regards,
Jay A. Gillian Mayor
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