Demolition In Store For Ocean City Police HQ, New One Built In Its Place

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The existing Ocean City Police Department headquarters will be demolished and a new building will be constructed in its place, Mayor Jay Gillian said at a recent City Council meeting.

The latest plan to address the aging facility follows the rejection of purchasing 801 Asbury Ave. for the headquarters and a plan to simply renovate and expand the existing building.

READ MORE: Former Bank Building Will Not Become New Police HQ, Ocean City Mayor Says

"I still believe we missed an opportunity to accomplish all our goals when we had a project to build a police and a fire building together back in 2022," Gillian said. His plan fell through at the time due to a high estimated cost.

The city has been discussing what to do with the aging facility for more than 30 years, Gillian said.

Officials will use the $30 million planned for the renovation of the existing building for the demolition and construction of a new facility.

Gillian said that the demolition is the best choice, economically speaking.

"It's funny how things work out, but I think this is going to be the best thing," he said.

A timeline for the demolition was not shared.

Work is ongoing for a new police substation on 8th Street which will complement the new police facility, Gillian said. Gillian said it should start housing police around Christmastime.