Historic Ocean City Home Cleaned Up and Under Contract

By MADDY VITALE After months of waiting, hoping and wondering, a group of residents in the Ocean City Historic District can feel a bit of relief, happiness and pride. Their fight to save a historic home at 615 Wesley Ave. led to the city’s prompt attention. A litany of violation notices were sent by the city to the owner of the nearly 120-year-old Edwardian-era house because of its run-down exterior, including its overgrown landscaping. But the owner “has taken care of most of the issues for which he was cited by the city,” Historic District resident Jay Hogan, who lives across the street from the home, said in a group email to several other concerned residents. “My hat is off to the city admin for following through on their promise to clean up the unsightly mess,” Hogan noted. The owner, RJGVB LLC of Shippensburg, Pa., cleaned up the property. Avery Teitler, an Ocean City-based attorney representing the homeowner, a group called RJGVB LLC, of Shippensburg, Pa., has not returned numerous calls seeking comment over the last year. According to the real estate website, Zillow.com, the home, which was originally listed at $999,000, is under contract for $849,000. “It also seems that there is a buyer on the scene as Zillow indicates that the home is under contract,” Hogan said. “Let’s hope that the transaction is completed to the satisfaction of all ... our neighborhood, historic preservationists and most importantly, our potential new neighbors!” The house has five bedrooms and 4.5 baths. Over the years it has variously served as the Genevieve Guest House and the Koo-Koo’s Nest bed and breakfast, according to online real estate records. It has been classified by the city as a “key building” in the Historic District, the highest ranking for historically significant structures. There were offers over the past year, according to neighbors. The fear was that if the home did not sell, it would be demolished. “Thanks to everyone for your continuing interest in assuring that this beautiful home escaped the wrecking ball,” Hogan noted in the group email. The hope is that the home will be restored to its original splendor.