Ocean City Comes a Step Closer to Dredging Project

Ocean City Council approved an ordinance on introduction that calls for for the overall appropriation of $2,693,000 and the borrowing of $2,558,350 for various projects.

This included the $2,632,500 needed to move spoils from Site 83 to Wildwood to pave the way for the dredging of back bays and lagoons in Ocean City.

Of the nearly $2.7 million reserved for dredging, $1,350,000 is to be appropriated, and the City will borrow $1,282,500 for the rest of that portion, which includes a beachfront renourishment project to be conducted in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the State.

The ordinance also proposes setting money aside for the construction and reconstruction of various streets, alleys and drainage systems, as well as the acquisition of communications and technology equipment including public safety radio replacements and system upgrades.

Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian announced the $2.7 million would be necessary during a town hall meeting last month. Gillian said it was ridiculous and a waste of taxpayer’s money, but that he had no choice.

On Feb. 12, council voted to set aside $5 million and borrow $4,750,000 for the dredging project that would put the dredge spoils at Site 83, located near 34th Street.

First, the City must empty that site, which is filled with 50,000 yards of cubic spoils it permitted the state to put there toward the end of the last decade.

However, environmental testing of the spoils to be moved delayed the project for a few weeks. That testing is now complete.

The public hearing and second reading on the ordinance is set for Aug. 13.