For Sale: Lot at Heart of Downtown Ocean City
A vacant half-acre at Ninth Street and Wesley Avenue again is listed for sale.
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A prime piece of downtown real estate went back on the market last week.
A half-acre vacant lot at the corner of Ninth Street and Wesley Avenue is listed at $3.25 million, according to owner Matt Dice. The property was formerly home to the landmark Strand Hotel and Bookers Restaurant. It fronts Ninth Street, the main route into Ocean City from the new Route 52 causeway.
The city had once considered purchasing the property to add downtown parking, but in a story with a familiar end in Ocean City, the most economically viable use for the parcel proved to be the construction of new rental properties.
Dice announced plans last summer for a subdivision of residential properties — three duplexes and two triplexes. In a nod to the history of the block where they would be located, Dice named the potential project Doctor's Row (for the doctors' offices that lined the street) and the Strand Resort (for the former hotel).
One duplex was constructed last year and is being rented this summer. Its two units remain listed for sale at $989,000 (3,000 square feet) and $899,000 (2,600 square feet).
But before investing in the next Doctor's Row duplex unit, Dice is trying again to market the entire vacant property, which he and partners purchased in 2003 — the same year Bookers was demolished.
The block is zoned as multifamily residential (R-MF), according to the city's zoning map. The property is 201 feet by 120 feet, or 24,120 square feet.
steve
1:54 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
That would be a ideal spot for a parking lot to help the city revitalize downtown! Parking is always a barrier to the downtown experience.
Matthew
1:54 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
FYI -I would be interested to hear other ideas on what folks think should be on this corner other than The Strand Resort and Doctor's Row. Please email me at 399dice@gmail.com. Thank you! Matt "399" Dice
cinandgin
5:40 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012
As a neighbor, I would like to see the original plan followed through.
Eric Sauder
3:03 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
The problem is what the problem is with so many properties in Ocean City. If it is zoned multi-family the land is too expensive for a commercial application. There was some talk about building a parking garage there with residences on top. That's why zoning is so important. We lost so many restaurants to duplex on my end of the island either because the zoning allowed it or use variances were issued. Had that not been the case we'd still have stores and restaurtants in my neighborhood instead of duplexes that sit vacant 9 months out of the year. It's not like there isn't enough demand. It's that the land is worth more than the business if residential can be built there.
Denise Fisk-Baj
5:42 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
How about making that the new Skatepark for our kids that they took away for bs reasons and promised to get a new one-----what better of a place then right behind the police station?? What's it gonna take a child's death from skating in the street for people to wake up and fight for what was paid by them....... and stolen from them right under their noses??? Lots of favoritism in this town.....it's amazing I can't ride my e-bike but certain businesses are using e-bikes for delivering food and they are not given one ticket----but Trostle gives me nine??? Where's their tickets..... it's harassment and favoritism in this town.....always has been!!! America's Favorite Nazi Resort!!!!!! LMAO!!!!!
steve
11:19 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Well I think the city should buy it and then figure out how to best utilize it. Anything but a bunch of triplexes! I bet you could park 50 cars there and have room for a bath house:-). Tired of seeing families changing outside of their cars.
Jim Ginn
9:05 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012
How about a well landscaped parking lot similar to the high school parking lot? A parking lot on this parcel would provide much needed parking for the court and police department as well as freeing up retail parking currently being used by city employees.
Duffer
7:33 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
That's just silly talk, Jim. Didn't you know that we need more duplexes and triplexes in this town. (Rolling eyes.....)
vic
9:23 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012
$3.25M for a parking lot? you either don't understand finances, or are totally out of your mind! that's our tax dollars you're talking about.
Whiny Liberals
9:36 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Buy it as Open Space and then use the parking money to reimburse the townships costs. 50 spots a day x 20 = 1000 x 7= 7000 x 15 wks = 105000 x 30 yrs = breakeven. Year 31-100 township makes 100,000 a year.
How much in taxes will a 3mm home pay a year? Which deal is better?
steve
12:22 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Let's look at the big picture for Ocean City. Parking is at such a premium and will especially be once all those units are built. In 10 yrs the city will regret not grabbing it. I'm not a expert on city finances but it appears this city has plenty of money to spend on salaries. If we just let go of a few of those jobs we can easily finance it. I'm not saying to fire people. Just let them retire and eliminate the jobs.
Whiny Liberals
11:29 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Getting rid of the pension system will save OC $4-5 million a year
JED
9:09 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
The city has spent the last two decades approving duplexes on single family lots. They should now take some of the revenues these new duplexes have yielded and purchase this lot for parking. A decade from now they'll look back and wish they spent the money to alleviate this ever increasing problem.
steve
6:06 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Why do we have a pension system? How many private companies still have such system? Must be a reason they died out in the private sector. I'm sure I'm just jealous that I have to put my own retirement funds away and worry how to invest them. But now I'm off topic;-). I'm with WL and JED. We need a real commitment from the city to the downtown development effort and this property would more than make a statement.
Nancy
9:00 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Why can't the city see we need parking? If you want people to shop on Asbury, there has to be some place for them to park.