Letter From Mayor: Marina Redevelopment Will Improve Neighborhood

Sept. 27, 2013

Dear Friends:

Earlier this week the Planning Board reviewed the Gill family’s proposed Redevelopment Plan for the former Dan’s Dock property at 10th Street and the Bay.  The Board will be forwarding their findings to the City Council shortly.

This project will do much more than establish a marina, fuel dock and other commercial activities at the site.  It will improve the entire neighborhood by replacing a badly leaking bulkhead and reducing the frequent and extensive tidal flooding that occurs there.

The Redevelopment Plan contains a provision that the City may participate in the project by assisting with the financing of some portion in accordance with state statute.  Local governmental involvement in a project such as this is not at all unusual and, in fact, is often a necessary catalyst for the redevelopment.

I am willing to consider the financial involvement of the City under certain terms and conditions that would be worked out should the project move forward.  The conditions for my support include provisions that guarantee repayment of any City financing within a reasonable time frame.   Additionally, I expect the agreement to provide for no significant risk for the City.

The clean up and revitalization of this area of our community is much needed and long overdue.  My Administration has been exploring ways to address these problems since I took office over three years ago.   The neighbors deserve better.  The public benefits resulting from this redevelopment plan are numerous and I have confidence in the Gill family.

I look forward to hearing from the public, the Planning Board and the City Council as this project hopefully moves forward.  There will be many additional opportunities for such input, including a community meeting that I am requesting the Gills and their professional team hold in the near future.

There’s a lot going on in Ocean City this weekend! 

Today we had the “New Jersey Run for the Fallen” pass through Ocean City.  This group of active-duty military runners and supporters  are running one mile for every New Jersey service member killed in service during the War on Terror.  Our local VFW and American Legion Posts were two of the ten Ocean City stops on the run where respects are paid to a  fallen service member.

On Saturday morning the Walk for the Wounded will take place on the boardwalk beginning at the Music Pier.  This three mile walk supports Operation First Response, an organization that assists returning service personnel and their families if they are facing financial difficulties.  Our FMBA has taken a lead role in this fundraising effort.

On Sunday the Ocean City Half Marathon and 5K run will begin at 9:00 am at 9th Street and the boardwalk.  Come see the exciting start as over 1,000 runners will compete.  I would like to thank the City team members and many volunteers that make this event possible.

Last, but not least, I would like to welcome the participants in the Annual MS Bike-A-Thon to Ocean City!

Have a great weekend.

Warm regards,

Jay A. Gillian
Mayor