Mayor Hopes Long-Term Project Benefits Outweigh Citizens' Concern

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian responded to residents who voiced concerns about ongoing projects during his weekly update. Part of his address can be seen below:

“Several residents voiced their displeasure with the Fourth Ward neighborhood drainage project during (Thursday) night’s City Council meeting. I understand the frustration of living in a construction zone for more than a year, and I want everybody to know that we are near the finish line of this $6.5 million effort to bring flood remediation to one of the lowest areas of town.

“Residents can expect the paving of the numbered streets to be completed next. Adjustments to the inactive pumping station equipment at 30th Street and Haven Avenue have already been made. Those in combination with the installation of new check valves will provide relief from the recent tidal flooding near that intersection. With new road surfaces in place, restoration of private property disturbed by the project work will take priority. When these tasks are complete, travels through neighborhood should begin to return to normal.

"Work on installing and activating four pumping stations will continue through the summer. The 30th Street station is in place. Two pumping stations on Ocean City Municipal Airport property (one near the end of 28th Street and one near the airport parking lot) will be installed next. The final one will be off Bayland Drive near Clubhouse Lagoon. Alleys in the project area will be paved after Labor Day. I hope that the memories of the project’s disruptions fade quickly when we see the long-term benefits of this work in the fall."

Patch file photo