Mayor Jay Gillian: ‘Comprehensive Approach’ for Flooding Between 29th and 34th Streets on the Way

dbergen

Barricades block access to Simpson and Haven avenues at 32nd Street in Ocean City — a common precaution in many storms each year. The following is Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian’s weekly update to citizens posted on Friday, March 6. It addresses his administration's five-year plan for capital spending in Ocean City, and a modification for one of the island's most flood-prone neighborhoods.

Dear Friends: At next week’s City Council meeting, the administration will recommend the Council adopt the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan, as well as introduce a funding ordinance. The plan aggressively addresses needed improvements to our infrastructure with total capital spending of approximately $79.6 million over the next five years, including $28.7 million in road and drainage improvements. Based on input from the City Council, the plan has been modified only slightly from what was presented earlier this year. One modification provides for a comprehensive approach to the drainage and roadway problems in the neighborhood from 29^th to 34^th Streets between West Avenue and Bay Avenue. The Council’s agenda will also include a professional services contract with Baker Engineering to examine this area and present flood mitigation concepts for the neighborhood. This report and other issues will be reviewed at a neighborhood meeting this spring. In addition to road and drainage improvements, other components of the Capital Plan include:

$10 million for bay and lagoon dredging including a recently approved contract to empty a portion of our Confined Disposal Facility known as site 83.

Over $12.5 million to complete the boardwalk replacement project to 12^th Street by 2018, including new pavilions.

Over $6 million dollars for streetscape improvements in the downtown.

Recreational facility improvements including the resurfacing of tennis courts, playground upgrades, construction of a bocce ball court and construction of a restroom at the North Street Playground.

Have a great weekend! Warm regards, Jay A. Gillian Mayor