Public Hearing On Bond Ordinance For Dealership Purchase Thursday

OCEAN CITY, NJ — There will be a public hearing and final vote on a proposed bond ordinance that sets aside funding to allow Ocean City to purchase the car dealership lot across from the Ocean City Community Center Thursday night.

Ocean City Council will meet on Thursday night, Sept. 13, 7 p.m. at City Hall, 861 Asbury Avenue. At that time, council will give final consideration to a proposed bond ordinance that would appropriate $9 million, including the borrowing of $8,550,000 in bonds or notes, for the acquisition of the property.

If approved, the funding would allow the city to purchase 1.856 acres (80,850 square feet) of the lot from Klause Enterprises. The purchase doesn't include separate lots in the same block, which are already owned by the city, Palmer and the Palermo family.

City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson previously said the administration would like to ultimately own the whole lot. In a separate proposed ordinance set to be introduced at Thursday night’s meeting, Ocean City Council will consider the acquisition by purchase or condemnation of portions of property in the same area.

According to the agenda packet:

• The bond ordinance under final consideration lists the property known as 1601-43 Simpson Avenue, 1620 Haven Avenue, 1628-38 Haven Avenue and 1644-46 Haven Avenue — listed as Block 1606, Lots 2, 3.01, 4 and 6 — as under consideration.
• The proposed ordinance set to be introduced on Thursday lists 109 16th Street (Block 1506 Lot 1), 1600 Haven Avenue (Block 1606 Lot 3) and 1640 Haven Avenue (Block 1606 Lot 5) as under consideration.

If Ocean City Council ultimately puts the funding in place, the city must then decide what to do with the property. Read more here: Ocean City Moves Toward $9 Million Purchase Of Car Dealership Lot

There are also 20 items on the consent agenda. To view the full agenda, visit ocnj.us.

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