OCEAN CITY – There are $23.8 million worth of capital projects planned in Ocean City during fiscal 2026.
Chief Financial Officer Frank Donato said the work is included in the municipal budget for 2026. (See related story, this page.)
The five-year capital plan, which includes 2026 through 2030, is at $73 million.
As of Dec. 31, 2025, the city had $168 million in permanent or bonded debt for work done in 2014 through 2025 and another $69 million in temporary notes or unfunded debt for 2023-25.
As Donato explained during a capital plan presentation in February, the 2026-27 capital plan would add another $40 million in debt if all the projects are done. That does not include grant sources that could reduce that amount.
There are numerous big-ticket items in the capital plan for 2026.
The city plans $4 million for flood mitigation projects, including one for 18th to 26th streets, and another $1 million for paving and drainage improvements in the city.
The city is picking up $3 million for its part of a beach fill project. U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew announced he had arranged $99 million in beach funding projects for South Jersey, including in Ocean City, Sea Isle City and Strathmere, to repair beaches damaged by storms.
The city is spending $3 million on a new terminal building at the Ocean City Municipal Airport, matched by a $3 million donation from Ocean City resident Leon Grisbaum.
There is money set aside for building projects including $680,000 for the HVAC system at the Community Center; $250,000 for the Music Pier; $200,000 for living space at Fire Department Headquarters; $80,000 for the beach patrol; $100,000 for upgrades at the Fourth Street Life Saving Station; $150,000 for the 35th Street little league field batting cages; $500,000 for streetscaping and lighting downtown; $200,000 for netting at the municipal golf course to prevent errant golf balls from flying into the street; and $2.5 million on expanding parking and pickleball at the 18th Street complex.
There is also spending on equipment for the various departments. The most expensive items are $2.25 million for replacing a fire department pumper and another $425,000 for a storm truck; $675,000 for various public works vehicles; $270,000 at the airport and for the self-service fuel farm; $110,000 for the beach patrol; and $205,000 for new gear at the fire department and another $162,000 for equipment for the police department.
Demolition approved
City Council approved a $1.068 million contract for Tamco Construction Inc. to demolish the existing public safety building at 835 Central Ave.
City Business Administrator George Savastano recommended accepting Tamco’s low bid for the project. There were seven bids received ranging as high as $1.893 million.
The current police station was vacated in March with most operations moved to the newly opened substation at Eighth Street and Boardwalk. The city continues to rent two floors in the former Crown Bank building at Eighth and Asbury Avenue for space for the police and the municipal court.
The new public safety building is in the design phase. It will be located on the same lot as the existing building.
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
