Letter From Mayor: 'Continued Commitment' to Roads and Drainage

October 11, 2013 

Dear Friends:

The administration will present an update on the city’s Capital Improvement Plan at a City Council workshop on Oct. 17 at 6 p.m.

Our recommended Capital Plan will provide a continued commitment to address the necessary improvements to our infrastructure with a continued priority for road and drainage improvements.  The plan will continue to provide more than double the funding that had been directed toward these projects prior to my term as mayor.  I appreciate the City Council’s support in this effort.

The boardwalk replacement project will begin this week with the complete demolition and rebuilding of the 500 block.  The capital plan will provide for this project to continue to move south toward 12th Street in the coming years.

Road and drainage improvements on Asbury Avenue from 39th to 42nd streets and the adjoining side streets will begin shortly.

The long-awaited road and drainage improvements for Merion Park are nearing the final design phase, after which we will put the project out to bid.  A neighborhood meeting with the design engineers will be scheduled in the next few weeks for further input and questions prior to the design being finalized.

We are awaiting confirmation of a significant FEMA grant for drainage improvements and a storm water pump station to serve the area from 1st Street to 8th Street.

I will provide further information on these and other capital improvement projects following the City Council workshop.

This week Congressman LoBiondo provided me with an update on the beach replenishment project for the south end of Ocean City.  The Army Corps has advised the Congressman that this project could begin construction in the spring and will be 100 percent federally funded.  This is what we had hoped to hear and receiving confirmation is great news for Ocean City.

Unfortunately, this weekend’s fireworks show was cancelled due to rough surf conditions however, the Block Party and Seafood Festival are still on.  So bring your umbrella just in case and come shop, dine and enjoy all that Ocean City has to offer in our Second Season.

Have a great weekend.

Warm regards,

Jay A. Gillian
Mayor