Gillian Updates Business Leaders on Beach, Boardwalk, Bay and Road Projects

Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian addresses the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, June 11, 2015. For the fifth time since taking office, Mayor Jay Gillian addressed members of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce in advance of the busy summer season. More than 100 gathered at a luncheon Thursday (June 11) at the Ocean City Yacht Club to hear the mayor give his mid-year report. "Early indications are that this will be a very solid summer if the weather cooperates," Gillian said. "Memorial Day Weekend was jammed. Our preseason beach tag sales were up over 4 percent compared to last year, and that's always a good sign. And finally, our friends in the real estate community tell us rentals look very good." Gillian said the city's ratable base (combined value of taxable real estate) is up, and tax appeals were down to just 50 last year (after some recent years that exceeded 800), an indication that tax assessments are accurate. Low interest rates and Ocean City's "excellent bond rating" allowed the city to sell a recent note at an interest rate of just 0.46 percent, he said. "This combination of positive signs I've mentioned allows me to report to you today that the state of the City of Ocean City is strong and improving," Gillian said. The mayor said the city will continue "to implement an aggressive but responsible capital plan." Among the elements he outlined were:

• A new section of boardwalk reconstruction between Plaza Place and Eighth Street (scheduled to start in the fall). The plan includes several new boardwalk pavilions.
• Gillian said the city is disappointed that the south end beach replenishment work has been delayed by mechanical problems, and he said the federal Army Corps of Engineers is completing plans for the next phase of replenishment in the north end, which is scheduled for some time in the 2015-16 off-season.
• Gillian said he plans a town hall meeting for 1 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at the Howard. S. Stainton Senior Center inside the Ocean City Community Center to talk about bayside dredging and the city's actions to date, frustrations, plans and potential costs.
• The maze of road construction projects in Ocean City is due in part to utility companies updating their infrastructure in advance of planned road and drainage improvements.
• The city is obtaining permits and entering the final design phase for the north end pumping station, which will improve drainage of roadways in an area between First Street and Eighth Street, West Avenue and the bay. Gillian called the $8.7 million job the largest drainage project in the city's history. It will be funded by the "largest grant Ocean City has ever received": $5 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
• Outfall pipes with a greater capacity are expected to improve street flooding on the boardwalk blocks at Sixth, Ninth, 12th, 13th and 15th streets.
• The city's capital plan includes $25.8 million in road and drainage improvements over the next three years. "Yes, we have a plan," Gillian said.
• An engineering report by an outside contractor for road and drainage improvements between 26th and 34th streets in the area surrounding Haven and Simpson avenues is near complete, he said. The city will discuss the report and concepts with the neighborhood shortly, he said.
• Two major recreation projects expected to be complete soon include the installation of a new track at Carey Stadium and the construction of a new skate park.

The mayor said he hoped to continue to work with City Council to get things done and "move this great community forward."