Today is the first day of spring, and we’re all looking forward to another great season in Ocean City.
Decking and concrete work are complete for the Boardwalk reconstruction project from St. Charles Place to Fifth Street, and railings are going up now.
A separate project to reinforce and redeck the Boardwalk from 12th Street to 14th Street is making good progress with crews working first on the side closest to the storefronts. Work will then proceed to the middle section, then finally to the side closest to the beach. This work pattern will allow the Boardwalk to remain open at all times.
Another project to rebuild the Boardwalk from 14th Street to 16th Street is scheduled for the fall. These improvements are being funded largely by a $4.9 million Boardwalk Preservation Fund grant.
Our contractor is installing irrigation and placing topsoil at the former car dealership lot adjacent to the Ocean City Community Center. A portion of this open space will be used for additional parking for the Community Center, and final paving is expected to be complete in April.
Bayside maintenance dredging continues at Venetian Bayou. Work will then move to Carnival Bayou, South Harbor and the area around the 14th Street outfall.
In our downtown, construction to add a new lighting system has begun on the 600 block of Asbury Avenue.
Our annual program to repave alleys will begin next week with the Ocean/Atlantic alley from Third Street to Fifth Street. Other scheduled work includes the Bay/Simpson alley from North Street to Second Street, the street end at Fifth, the 700 block of the Central/Wesley alley and the 900 block of the West/Asbury alley.
While the city’s road projects have been limited this spring, major repair and improvement projects from the county and our utility companies are ongoing.
Repairs to sewer mains are continuing in the Gardens and along West Avenue at 31st Street. The detours created by these projects have long been an inconvenience, but the work is absolutely necessary. The pipelines that are being replaced – some of them terracotta and first installed in the early 1900s – are crushed or completely compromised. We’re fortunate that our utility companies have been responsive and are invested in maintaining and improving this important infrastructure.
Crews will be at the intersection of Wesley Road and and Battersea on Monday, but work will move off of Wesley for the rest of the week. West Avenue remains closed from 30th Street to 32nd Street, along with parts of 31st Street.
Cape May County’s work to elevate and improve Roosevelt Boulevard is ongoing with paving of the south side of the roadway anticipated in about four weeks.
The Citizens Veterans Advisory Committee (CVAC) and Cape May County Military & Veterans Affairs Committee hosted a Veterans Benefits and Health Fair at the Ocean City Civic Center on Wednesday. I want to thank them for putting the event together and providing important information and services to our veterans.
I was proud to help Richard Shoemaker celebrate his 100th birthday today at The Shores at Wesley Manor and present him with a key to the city and a brass carousel ring. Citizens like Mr. Shoemaker are an inspiration to us all, and I wish him continued health and happiness.
I’m sad to report on the loss of three citizens near to me and our community: Maria Palermo, Nancy Joan Miller, and Victor Gerace. Maria was part of the family that owned and operated Palermo’s Family Market, an Ocean City institution at the corner of Fourth Street and Asbury Avenue. Nancy was a tireless advocate for the special needs community and mom of one of our Special Olympics champions and city employees, Dan Miller. Victor was the father of Angela Juliano, father-in-law of Albert Juliano and grandfather of city team member Justin Juliano. Please join Michele and me in extending deepest condolences to the families and friends of Maria, Nancy and Victor.
The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Job Fair tomorrow (March 21) from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. If you or anybody you know are looking for seasonal or year-round employment, a variety of Ocean City businesses will be there to recruit new team members.
The Special Needs Dance/Fitness Class that meets on Thursday evenings at the Aquatic & Fitness Center will give a recital at 1 p.m. tomorrow in front of the Music Pier. The performance will be one way to observe National Down Syndrome Day. At the last City Council meeting, Councilman Tony Polcini encouraged everybody to wear blue and yellow in recognition of this awareness day.
Check out this week’s edition of the “Inside City Hall” video series below to get a behind-the-scenes look at news, events, services and projects in Ocean City, including everything from new state champions to Tabernacle bells to Music Pier flooring to Special Olympics swimming.
Warm regards,
Jay A. Gillian Mayor
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Welcome to The City of Ocean City, New Jersey!
Ocean City is a town rich in history and a deep sense of community. Families have been vacationing in Ocean City for generations and many have made Ocean City their year-round home.
Our residents enjoy award-winning schools, world-class recreation facilities and outstanding municipal services from all city departments, including Police, Fire and Rescue, and Beach Patrol. Residents participate in activities for every age and interest including the cultural arts, music and theater as well as sports and recreation programs available at our many parks, playgrounds and city facilities. One of our local treasures is the Ocean City Community Center at 1735 Simpson Avenue, where families and individuals can enjoy the Ocean City Free Public Library, Ocean City Arts Center, Ocean City Historical Museum, Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center, and the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center under one roof.
The city also maintains and operates a municipal airport, 12-hole golf course, Aquatic and Fitness Center as well as the famed Ocean City Pops Orchestra.
Ocean City is also host to more than 200 family-friendly special events held year-round. Many of our events are popular family traditions, including the Night in Venice Boat Parade in July, the Baby Parade in August, our mile-long block parties in May and October, and our family-friendly First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration.
If you are vacationing in Ocean City, I know you’ll enjoy our seven miles of beautiful beaches and exciting Boardwalk lined with shops, restaurants and amusements. And be sure to visit our unique and charming downtown shops and restaurants located in the heart of town on Asbury Avenue.
I am truly proud to serve as mayor for this great community and hope you and your family enjoy your time in America’s Greatest Family Resort.
I was proud to help Richard Shoemaker celebrate his 100th birthday today at The Shores at Wesley Manor and present him with a key to the city and a brass carousel ring. Citizens like Mr. Shoemaker are an inspiration to us all, and I wish him continued health and happiness.
Welcome to The City of Ocean City, New Jersey!