Ocean City Takes Steps Toward Proposed Public Safety Building

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City moved one step closer toward a proposed new public safety building. City Council approved the first reading Thursday of a bond ordinance that would pay for the design of the new building at the site of the existing fire station (550 Asbury Ave.).

The $1.1 million bond ordinance will allow city officials to work with an architect to design the building and figure out the project's cost. The building will combine facilities for police, firefighters, EMTs, emergency dispatchers, the municipal court and emergency management operations.

"We’ve thrown a cost out there of $35 million right now," Business Administrator George Savastano said at Thursday's meeting. "That’s based on conceptual and schematic designs. We need to drill down and get something more accurate before we come to you (City Council) with a funding ordinance for the building."

The ordinance (pages 1-3 in the City Council agenda) will receive a second reading at Nov. 19's City Council meeting.

Ocean City's current public safety building dates back to 1890. Check out a 360-degree tour of the concept drawings below:

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