Ocean City Approves Funding For Road, Drainage Projects

OCEAN CITY, NJ — City Council gave final approval to a bond ordinance on Thursday that will fund capital improvements throughout town.

Of the $18.4 million that will fund multiple projects, $5.5 million is for reconstructing streets and alleys, with another $5.5 million for neighborhood drainage projects.

“The funding ordinance is one of the first steps that will allow us to complete projects such as pumping stations to help mitigate flooding in the 9th-18th Street and West 17th Street areas,” Mayor Jay Gillian said in his weekly update on Friday.

The remainder of the funding will be used for building improvements, recreation improvements, vehicles and equipment for various departments, communications projects and citywide signage replacements.

$2 million will fund improvements to public facilities, including adding restrooms on the Boardwalk at 10th Street and 11th Street, replacing the roof on the community center and lighting throughout town. According to the capital plan, both restrooms would be built before the start of the 2022 summer season.

The project also includes new bocce ball courts at the sports and civic center complex, new basketball courts at 6th Street and new pickleball courts.

During a council meeting Thursday, officials discussed switching the proposed location of the new pickleball courts from the 34th Street recreation complex to 18th Street and Haven Avenue, where existing pickleball courts are, after noise and parking concerns were brought to the administration’s attention.

Several pickleball players that spoke during the public comment session were in favor of adding the courts to 18th Street.

Gillian said the area around 34th Street will be studied to determine how activity in the courts would impact the neighborhood.

The bond ordinance also includes $2 million to support the city’s multi-year dredging program for the shallow lagoons and channels along the back bays. Dredging work is scheduled this year for Carnival Bayou, Venetian Bayou, Sunny Harbor and South Harbor.

Projects included in the bond ordinance are guided by Gillian’s five-year capital plan. Updates about the capital projects can be found here.

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