Dear Friends,

The city completed its purchase of two downtown parking lots this week, and the spaces are now open to the public. We’ve heard many concerns about the need for more parking in the downtown and throughout the city. The lots will add 44 new spaces adjacent to existing parking behind City Hall. Parking will be free there during the off-season, as it is throughout town. The lots are accessible from the 800 block of Central Avenue and provide easy access to our downtown shops and restaurants. In a town so fully developed, opportunities to make a purchase like this don’t come around very often. We will always be ready to consider every option that becomes available, if it serves the needs of our residents and guests.  

The acquisition of an entire city block adjacent to our Ocean City Community Center was another rare opportunity. We were able to protect that space from being developed with yet more houses. Now that environmental remediation of the area is complete, we’re seeking ideas for how best to use it. We’ve already received suggestions from more than 100 people, and I want to thank everybody for taking the time to share their thoughts. We’ve already seen a lot of great ideas, and we’ll continue to encourage everybody to weigh in. Visit ocnj.us/openspace to share your ideas.

I hope you all will join me in welcoming Onyx, the newest member of our Ocean City Police Department K-9 Unit. Onyx is a bloodhound and he’ll be used to help locate missing persons and to assist in other incidents that require tracking. Onyx and his handlers start training on Nov. 18, and he’ll soon be at work with the department.

At yesterday’s meeting, City Council approved a contract for construction of a new police substation at Eighth Street and the Boardwalk. The updating of our police department facilities is long overdue, and I’m looking forward to seeing the building take shape quickly.

I want to thank Jen and Jeff Shirk and the entire Exchange Club of Ocean City for organizing another spectacular Halloween Parade. The event gets bigger and better every year, and it’s always exciting to see Asbury Avenue filled with so many families enjoying our wonderful downtown.

The police department is participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday. Residents can drop off unneeded medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Ocean City Free Public Library (1735 Simpson Avenue) or at police headquarters (835 Central Avenue). The event is geared toward preventing addiction, and more information is available here.

Saturday and Sunday are Dog Days on the Boardwalk. It’s only been a few years, but this event is already a favorite for a lot of people. The Howl-O-Ween pet parade is at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Registration before the event is at the Civic Center. This is a great fundraiser for the Ocean City Humane Society. 

“People’s Choice” voting in our Halloween House Decorating Contest is now open. Visit facebook.com/OceanCityNJVacation to make your pick. The winners and a complete list of participants will be posted at ocnj.us/HalloweenEvents on Monday, so everybody can take a tour of these decorated homes.

More information on these and other Halloween events is available here.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Warm regards,

Jay A. Gillian
Mayor