Dear Friends,
The beach, boardwalk, bay and downtown are the cornerstones of our economy and our way of life here in Ocean City, and projects to maintain and improve them are vital to our future.
On Monday (Oct. 16), the boardwalk will be closed between 10th Street and 11th Street as crews start to replace the entire substructure and decking between 10th Street and 12th Street. The remaining portion of the project area between 11th Street and 12th Street will close on Monday, Oct. 23. Bicyclists and pedestrians traveling the length of the boardwalk will be detoured to Ocean Avenue at 9th Street and 12th Street. Access to the boardwalk and stores between 9th Street and 10th Street will remain open.
See map and more info.
The work is expected to be complete by March 2018. When it’s done, we will have completed a seven-year project in five years and will have completely restored the heart of the boardwalk between Fifth Street and 12th Street. This phase will add at least one new oceanside pavilion to the five that have already been constructed (with the possibility of two more beyond the project area). I want to thank all the merchants, runners, cyclists, residents and guests for their patience during this essential infrastructure improvement.
As soon as next weekend, the Army Corps of Engineers could begin work to restore beaches between Seaspray Road and the area approaching the 14th Street Pier. The renourishment project will include about 1 million cubic yards of new sand to elevate and widen our beaches, and to stockpile material to help us rebuild dunes at Fifth Street and other areas. The work is expected to take about 50 days but could stretch into the new year, depending on weather conditions and other factors. A pipeline from a dredge stationed off Great Egg Harbor Inlet will hit the beach near Morningside Road. Work will start north of that point, then proceed south. This is the eighth renourishment project for Ocean City, and the Army Corps knows well that we are all extremely grateful for the protection of our property.
Work to dredge shallow lagoons at Carnival Bayou, Sunny Harbor and South Harbor also will begin on Monday (Oct. 16). One contractor will begin hydraulic dredging at Carnival. Survey crews for another contractor will be in Sunny Harbor placing stakes with flags to mark dredging boundaries. Anybody who is boating, paddling or swimming in the area should be aware of the work, pipelines, equipment and markers in the area.
A neighborhood meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Ocean City Tabernacle (550 Wesley Avenue). The purpose of the meeting is for the city to detail the potential process for residents to conduct private boat slip dredging in Carnival Bayou, Sunny Harbor and South Harbor this fall. The mechanical dredge contractor for Sunny Harbor and South Harbor and the hydraulic contractor for Carnival Bayou will be present at the meeting. The presentation will include an update on the project timelines and information on the application process. Anybody who is unable to attend will be able to find information from the meeting at
www.ocnj.us/Capital-Projects-Bay.
At last night’s meeting, City Council approved an ordinance that authorizes borrowing money for the purchase of a commercial property next to the Tennessee Avenue boat ramp. The ordinance was brought forward because opportunities to purchase waterfront property adjacent to an existing recreational facility are rare and because the area is zoned for further residential development. I’d rather see the property become a community resource than be developed further.
The community understandably wants more information on potential plans for the property. The city is investigating the structural and environmental integrity of the building and potential rehabilitation costs, and I will continue to work with the homeowners association of the adjacent Ocean Reef community and Ocean City residents on a vision before making any recommendation to move forward. Under any circumstance, the public will have plenty of opportunity to provide feedback on the idea before any potential action would be taken.
Finally, I want to let everybody know that buttons for the 2018 First Night Ocean City are now on sale for $15. The family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration is now in its 26th year, and it’s a great opportunity to enjoy a safe holiday. The buttons are available at the City Hall Welcome Center (9th Street entrance), the Welcome Center on the Route 52 causeway or online at
firstnightocnj.com . Anybody interested in helping out with the event, can download the
First Night volunteer form here .
Warm regards,
Jay A. Gillian
Mayor
