Saturday, May 18, 2013
Ocean City awaits outcome of report due May 1.
Ocean City still does not know if the federal government will help fund an Army Corps of Engineers beach replenishment project for the southern end of the island. Business Administrator Mike Dattilo reported to City Council and the public on Thursday that the Army Corps has not supplied to Congress a report that was due on May 1. The city hopes the report will indicate which projects will be funded and completed before summer 2014. An Army Corps project remains the best-case scenario for Ocean City to restore eroded beaches that are worst between 49th and 59th streets — the southernmost cross-streets of the island. Even before Superstorm Sandy flattened dunes, buried streets in sand and flooded homes in October 2012, the shrinking south-…
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
With just 10 days until Memorial Day Weekend, we check in on the beaches and some of our other favorite spots.
A massive sand-pumping dredge is back at work under clear skies this week as a beach replenishment project moves on, but work is now expected to continue into June. Here's our summer countdown and update on the Ocean City beaches, boardwalk and businesses preparing for another summer season. Check out the images in the photo gallery above to see the beaches as they look today, and check back for regular updates as crews continue to work on the northern and southern ends of the island. SUMMER COUNTDOWN Just 10 days until the start of Memorial Day Weekend on Saturday, May 25. BEACH UPDATE North End: As of Wednesday (May 15), a beach replenishment project on the north end has moved past the Seventh Street jetty. The project had originally…
Friday, April 26, 2013
Ocean City is working to bring a replenishment project to its southern beaches by summer 2014.
May will be a critical month in the quest for new sand to restore eroded beaches at the southern end of Ocean City. That is the update Ocean City Business Administrator Mike Dattilo gave City Council at a public meeting on Thursday (April 25) at the Ocean City Free Public Library. In order for the city to obtain permits and contracts to complete a beach replenishment project by summer 2014, the city will have to decide on a course of action within about a month. Superstorm Sandy wiped out dunes at the southern end of the island and left streets and properties buried under layers of sand, but even before the October 2012 storm, the eroded beach disappeared during many high tides. Dattilo said the city's best-case scenario remains the …
In a letter to the public, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian provides information on the new Department of Community Operations and on efforts to bring beach replenishment to the south end.
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Friday, April 26
Mayor Jay Gillian posted his weekly update Friday on the City of Ocean City website. The April 26 letter addresses the merging of the Public Works and Community Services departments and provides an update on south-end beach replenishment. April 26, 2012 Dear Friends: Last evening, City Council passed on first reading an ordinance that will establish a new Department of Community Operations. This department will consolidate all of the functions of the former Department of Community Services and Department of Public Works with the exception of the Offices of Public Relations, Public Information and Neighborhood and Social Services, which will fall under the Department of Administration. The Engineering Team will fall under the new department…
Saturday, April 6, 2013
A massive project creates a spectacle as it moves toward downtown Ocean City beaches.
At the same time Ocean City received some long-awaited spring weather, an Army Corps of Engineers sand-pumping project moved toward the downtown beaches. The spectacle of pipelines, gushing mud and heavy equipment leaves many onlookers wondering what exactly they're witnessing. Ed Voigt of the Public Affairs Office for the Army Corps of Engineers' Philadelphia Division, took some time Friday to explain how it all works (see photo gallery above for each stage of the process). Ocean City is in the midst of a $15 million "renourishment and repair" project that will restore eroded and storm-damaged beaches between the north end of the island and 14th Street. Major work is expected by be complete by Memorial Day. Voigt said the process is as …
Friday, April 5, 2013
In a letter to the public, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian asks citizens to be 'ambassadors' for Ocean City.
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Friday, April 5
On the City of Ocean City website, Mayor Jay Gillian posted his weekly letter to citizens on Friday. It asks the public to become "ambassadors" for the city by spreading the word that Ocean City is ready for summer visitors. April 5, 2013 Dear Friends, How great was this past weekend? It was wonderful to see the crowds on the Boardwalk and Asbury Avenue and all of the families at our Easter weekend events. For anyone who has not yet visited Ocean City, we’re ready for your stay, come see for yourself. The Tourism Development Commission recently launched a new advertising campaign for Ocean City that touts, “We Are Ready.” And my administration continues to “get ready” for our visitors with improvements and preparations island-wide. …
Friday, March 29, 2013
With a protective berm in place, the city will turn its attention to shoring up the beaches between 49th and 59th streets.
City Council on Thursday approved two resolutions related to restoring Ocean City's eroded beaches. The first requests bids for a contractor to install fencing around dunes (in late May and June) and dune grass (in the fall 2013 planting season). The other awards a $1.1 millon contract to South State Inc. of Bridgeton to haul sand by truck to the south end of Ocean City. The resolution referred to the construction of an "emergency sand dune," but Ocean City Finance Director Frank Donato told City Council on Thursday that with a large protective berm already taking shape under a previous contract, the city hopes most of the new sand will land on the "towel area" of the beach between 49th and 59th streets. About 30,000 cubic yards has …
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Future of Ethics Board, credit-card parking meters, West Avenue zoning, sand dune projects and a potential EMT contract.
City Council has a full agenda for its public meeting 7 p.m. Thursday (March 28) at the Ocean City Free Public Library, but here are five things that might be of special interest: See attached PDF for supporting documentation for agenda items.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Ocean City resident Michael Hinchman sees similar shortcomings in beaches, bay, boardwalk and roads projects.
To the editor: The former Dan's Dockside Marina property has long been a defunct operation and in foreclosure, and a white knight — the Gill family — has emerged to purchase the property. The plans are to construct a marina, restaurant, small shops and a gas filling station on the water. This approval will be accomplished at the Planning Board and eventually City Council. Let me state my desired result up front: the Gill family gets approved and builds an attractive functioning restaurant/marina. The " how" is my concern and it reflects what I have continually observe as the failing of the administration and council as they tackle the big issues of the day: 1) roads and drainage; 2) the Ocean City marina deal (at Second and Bay); 3) the …
Sunday, March 17, 2013
An emergency City Council action allows work to continue.
The massive beach replenishment project underway on the north end of Ocean City almost came to an abrupt halt on Thursday as officials debated whether dredging crews had permission to be on the beach. City Council passed an emergency resolution authorizing the city to take control of a beachfront lot, where crews were going to have to stop, dismantle an underwater pipeline and reconnect it down the beach on the other side of the lot. The delay and reconfiguration could have cost Ocean City as much as $2 million and left a block-long gap in the beach-widening project, according to City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson. McCrosson briefly dashed out of Thursday's meeting immediately after Council passed the resolution to let the dredging …
Dave S
3:51 pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2013
I just read the Sentinel article and now have a better idea of the problem. My own experience the past couple years at the 50th street beach, after the replenishment in the north, was that the beach seemed to be getting bigger. Anyway, I agree that we need more sand in the south, especially around 55th - 59th. You all seem to have an interest in making OC better and I agree! Have a great summer! more ›