April 22, 2016
Dear Friends,
I learned this week that the Army Corps of Engineers completed its beach replenishment work in Sea Isle City and is expected to return to Ocean City as early as Sunday. In 2015, Ocean City’s south end was fortunate to receive a massive dune and beach rebuilding project at no expense to local taxpayers. But much of the sand was swept away in October 2015 and January 2016 storms. Starting this weekend, the Army Corps will replace what was lost.
Work will begin at 52nd Street and proceed southward to 59th Street. Then the pipeline will be lifted and work will move from 52nd Street to 37th Street. Work is tentatively (weather permitting) expected to be complete by May 30.
My administration also has been in contact with Army Corps and state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) officials to see what it would take to get them to come back and rebuild beaches at the north end of Ocean City. There are many other projects across the state competing for the time and funding of the Army Corps. But I assure you that we will do everything in our power to urge them to do this work.
These projects are vital to protecting property across the length of the island and will always receive my full support.
Drainage, road and utility work is underway at many spots throughout the island, and I ask everybody to be patient as this work proceeds. In most cases, projects are designed to be complete by Memorial Day. But some work, such as in the drainage project between 14th Street and 16th Street, may continue into early June before knocking off for the summer. If any work is not completed, roads will be temporarily restored for the summer and work will be finished in the fall.
Lastly, I’d like to thank and congratulate Capt. Gary Green and firefighter Bill Wasekanes, who received Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey Valor Awards last week for saving the life of an unconscious man in a smoldering apartment building in February 2015. Ocean City’s public safety team members have always provided exceptional service to our community.
Warm regards,
Jay A. Gillian
Mayor
