Council Approves Contracts for Merion Park, Boardwalk, Fire Station

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Pushing a car through the flood on Thursday (July 10) on Westminster Lane in Merion Park.

At its public meeting on Thursday (July 10) at City Hall, City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the leasing of city-owned land to the American Legion for $1 a year. They also authorized contracts for three major capital projects in Ocean City:

Merion Park Pump Stations: City Council approved a $96,500 contract with Michael Baker Jr. Inc. to design pump stations that could help eliminate nuisance flooding. The design contract would be another milestone in an ambitious plan to improve drainage in the low-lying neighborhood near 34th Street.
Firehouse Design: City Council approved an $80,200 contract to Czar Engineering of Egg Harbor Township to design a new firehouse at 29th Street. The existing facility was damaged in Superstorm Sandy. Councilman Pete Guinosso cast the lone dissenting vote, because there was a lower bidder. Business Administrator Mike Dattilo said bid numbers were not the only criterium considered in the process/
Boardwalk Replacement: City Council awarded a $1.2 million contract to Fred M. Schiavone Construction to complete the next phase of a boardwalk reconstruction project (between Sixth and Seventh streets).

In other business, City Council considered the following:

Beach Replenishment Easements: City Council approved a procedural ordinance that would grant easements on city-owned property in advance of a fall beach replenishment project for the south end. In the process of gathering easements from private landowners, the city obtained new parcels, making the ordinance necessary.
New Tourist Development Commission Members: City Council approved an ordinance that adds two non-voting members to the city’s Tourist Development Commission. The city administration said the change gives different segments of the business community better representation on the board, and it provides a method for effective succession of new members.
The Soleil: City Council approved a resolution directing the Planning Board to re-examine a redevelopment plan for the parking lot next to the Flanders Hotel — where a six-story condominium complex is proposed. Read more on the proposal for The Soleil in Ocean City, NJ.