Letter From Mayor: Updates on Beach Projects and Visitors Center

In his weekly letter to citizens posted on the Ocean City website, Mayor Jay Gillian offers updates on beach replenishment projects for the north end and south end and on the new Route 52 causeway visitors center. 

May 31, 2013

Dear Friends:

I’d like to provide you an update on three items:

North-End/Downtown Beach Replenishment: The contractor finished pumping sand this past Tuesday and has been removing the pipes and demobilizing over the past few days.  Dune fence will begin to be installed next week and the new dunes will be planted with vegetation in the fall. Work will continue on some of the outfall pipes in the downtown area over the next few weeks.

South-End Beaches: Yesterday, we learned the great news that the project that includes beach replenishment for the area of Ocean City south of 36^th Street is included in the report the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has provided to Congress.

Earlier today, I spoke to the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, who advised me that a number of meetings are scheduled in the next few weeks to clarify the details of these projects including timing, schedules and funding.

I am very confident the timing will provide for beach replenishment for the south end during the 2013-2014 off season. My office will continue to work with our partners at the state and local levels and do everything we can to make this happen. 

Route 52 Welcome Center and Recreational Areas: The new Welcome Center on Route 52 is now open, the final amenity to this long-awaited project.  I encourage you to visit the Welcome Center, watch the wildlife on the adjacent islands, take a walk, bike ride or run on the multi-use pathway, catch dinner from one of the fishing piers or just enjoy a beautiful sunset overlooking our bay environment.

What a spectacular entrance to “America’s Greatest Family Resort.”  I would like to acknowledge and thank former Mayors Bud Knight and Sal Perillo, and their administrations, for the years of planning and coordination with the federal and state agencies that funded the project.

I would like to also thank the many local citizens, business owners and  organizations from both Ocean City and our neighboring community in Somers Point who served on Route 52 advisory and planning committees dating back as early as 1995.

Have a great weekend! 

Warm regards,

Jay A. Gillian
Mayor