Ocean City Residents Propose Help for Palermo Property

One site that might be affected a proposed ordinance to establish an abandoned properties list is the old Palermo supermarket on Asbury Avenue.

City officials made this statement Thursday night while discussing the ordinance.

It was less than a month ago that developer Mick Duncan presented plans to demolish the building and replace it with seven duplexes.

The property has been closed since the roof of the store collapsed in 2010.

However, residents voiced their disapproval of this plan Thursday night.

“When they needed community support, we supported them,” said Helen McSweeney, a habitual Palermo’s shopper who said she kept a cart in her backyard.

The asking price has been reduced from $6 million to about $1.8 million, and McSweeney is among a group of residents that proposed reaching out to The Trust for Public Land for help.

The Trust for Public Land is a non-profit group that creates parks, protects land, and works to ensure healthy, livable communities for future generations, according to its website.

Its work in South Jersey includes the preservation of a 79-acre property adjacent to both the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge and New Jersey state forest lands as an addition to the refuge in 2011.

It is currently working to protect the Rosemma Wetlands in Long Beach Township. The wetlands serve as a critical storm buffer and home to many species, some which are threatened or endangered, according to the website.

A group of local residents will be meeting with City officials to discuss the possibility. They also pointed out that The Trust for Public Land may be able to help with other properties in Ocean City.

Councilman Michael DeVlieger pointed out that there is a contract in place for the Palermo property, but that the group could be a useful resource for other properties.

Duncan’s proposal is set to go before the Planning Board May 6.