An earlier architectural rendering depicts the proposed airport terminal building. The new architectural contract will come up with a new design. (Courtesy of Ocean City)
The project’s construction is not exactly cleared for takeoff just yet, but a key contract has been awarded for Ocean City’s proposed $6 million airport terminal building.
During its meeting Thursday night, City Council hired Somers Point architect William McLees to design the terminal as part of a $435,875 professional services contract.
The project has been discussed for years. The designs have gone through several iterations while the city sought to cap the construction cost at $6 million, City Business Administrator George Savastano said.
“We came up with a building that’s a $6 million project. That’s the objective,” Savastano explained to the Council members.
Leon Grisbaum, the owner of Berger Realty in Ocean City and a former pilot, has pledged a $3 million donation for the airport project. The city would kick in the remaining $3 million.
“As you all know, we received a generous $3 million donation from Leon Grisbaum toward this project. It’s exciting to see this project move forward,” Michael Allegretto, aide to Mayor Jay Gillian, told Council about the design contract.
Councilman Keith Hartzell questioned what would happen if the cost of the project exceeded the $6 million limit. But Savastano repeatedly assured Hartzell and the other Council members that the city is looking to limit the construction cost to $6 million.
The building will be named the Leon and Elizabeth Grisbaum Terminal Building, also in honor of Grisbaum’s late wife. Leon Grisbaum, now in his 90s, was an avid pilot for about 70 years before retiring from flying.
City officials say the terminal will include an operations center for the airport, a pilot’s lounge, a pro shop for the adjacent municipal golf course and a restaurant on the top floor offering sweeping views of the bay and marshlands next to the runway.
Berger Realty owner Leon Grisbaum, who has pledged a $3 million donation for the proposed airport terminal, stands in front of a line of planes on the tarmac.A construction contract for the project still must be awarded by the city. Savastano estimated during a City Council meeting in February that construction would begin in the fall.
The airport’s current terminal building, a small and modest structure dating to the 1950s, will be demolished to make way for the new project.
Built in 1935, the airport’s claim to fame is that it is the only one in New Jersey located on a barrier island. It is among just a few airports located on a barrier island on the entire East Coast.
The airport’s location on Bay Avenue at 26th Street is just a few blocks from the beach. It is not uncommon in summer to see people get out of their planes holding beach chairs and umbrellas.
The design contract and the entire project, however, drew strong comments at the Council meeting from two Ocean City residents, one of whom questioned whether the airport terminal will cause a burden on local taxpayers.
Resident Susan Cracovaner agreed that a new building is needed to replace the existing, antiquated airport terminal, but wondered whether the project might be too elaborate.
“Are these needs or are they wants?” Cracovaner asked during public comments to Council. “These are spaces the city will have to furnish, clean, heat and air-condition and maintain, all ongoing costs that must be supported through tax dollars, whether they be levied on residents or on tourists.”
“We take pride in being America’s Greatest Family Resort, and we need to tend that carefully. We can’t afford to drive away tourists and residents by continuing to increase taxes to support spending,” she continued, referring to Ocean City’s tourism slogan.
The modest existing airport terminal will be demolished to make room for the new project.Another resident, George Bauer, said he wanted to offer “helpful suggestions” to the Council members to help guide them through the approval process for the airport project.
He questioned whether the city’s governing body has “ignored” its policies and procedures while approving projects and spending. He said he wants Council to be more like the city’s police and fire departments, which he called “great examples” of how to properly follow policies and procedures.
“Some projects and expenditures appear to get approved without full disclosures, due diligence, sound business practices and without total transparency,” Bauer told Council. “It appears some of you don’t even get the information, or only portions of it, in a timely manner before you vote.”
Bauer also questioned why the city will pay for the airport design contract using local tax dollars instead of deducting the cost from the $3 million donation from Grisbaum.
He also wanted to know whether the city has a formal written agreement with Grisbaum for his donation.
In response, City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson told the Council members that there is already a written agreement between Grisbaum and the city.
“You’re not flying in the dark,” McCrosson assured Council.
