It’s a big decrease from previous plans as much major work already completed
OCEAN CITY — Last winter Ocean City Chief Financial Officer Frank Donato said there was “light at the end of the tunnel.” He was referring to the resort’s five-year plans for capital projects starting to come to the end of more than a decade of heavy investment in the island’s infrastructure.
Last year’s capital plan envisioned $159 million in projects over the following five years. A big chunk of that spending, some $38 million, was allocated this year to building the new police substation at Eighth Street and Boardwalk and then renovating the current police station and municipal court on Central Avenue between Eighth and Ninth streets.
This year he said the resort “is turning the corner” with fewer capital projects as much of the major work is being completed and the administration entering more of a maintenance mode.
Business Administrator George Savastano unveiled the city’s proposed capital plan at the Feb. 20 Ocean City Council meeting and Donato went over it again Saturday at Mayor Jay Gillian’s Town Hall meeting at the Ocean City Tabernacle.
Over the next five years, Ocean City’s proposed capital plan envisions spending $67 million with $14 million to $16 million from 2025 through 2027 and $11 million and $10 million for 2028 and 2029.
“There are a few things that are key pillars to good government,” including keeping the city safe and clean, maintaining financial stability and public-private partnerships, Savastano said.
“Another pillar is maintaining the infrastructure and assets. That’s what the capital plan and capital projects do,” he said.
The five-year plan looks at city-wide priorities, Savastano added, but it’s a living document that can change because city officials are constantly looking at the city’s needs.
Priorities come from the mayor, City Council, city staff and the public, and what is advanced into the plan are those projects and purchases deemed by the administration and council to be the most benefit to the city, he said.
“Good government works together,” Savastano said, and no project goes forward without the executive and legislative branches of city government agreeing.
“The town is getting old,” Donato said. “Not European old, but when it comes to infrastructure and buildings … it all needs updating and maintenance.”
“This is your money we’re spending and we have to do it the right way,” he told the audience.
The plan over the years has been to include a tax rate increase of about a penny a year dedicated to capital improvements, Donato said.
“We’ve accomplished so much in the last 10, 15 years, we’re getting back to a maintenance mode. We’re starting to turn the corner there.”
Vince Bekier, head of the city’s Department of Capital Programs, Project Management and Engineering, told the audience during the Town Hall meeting that Ocean City has received almost $57 million in grants to put toward projects during Mayor Jay Gillian’s administration. He said that goes with another $100 million from the state and federal government for city projects.
“To get back almost $57 million is a testament to what our team does,” Bekier said, and to City Council and the administration. He noted to get a total of almost $160 million back considering what money goes to Trenton and the federal government, “it’s a great thing.”
Fiscal 2025 projects
and beyond
The largest expense of $3.5 million is reserved for redoing the 34th Street and West Avenue playground and recreation area that will be completely redone with new pickleball and tennis courts, a dunk court, playground and new bathrooms. The city is applying for a $2.5 million grant from the Cape May County Open Space fund.
In 2026, there is $1 million set aside for expanding pickleball at 18th Street.
Another big-ticket item for fiscal 2025 is $3 million of airport facilities, replacing the existing building with a new and larger building that will include a restaurant on the top floor where patrons can watch planes land and take off. The other half of the $6 million project is being paid for courtesy of a donation by Leon Grisbaum.
The next-largest chunk is $2 million for paving and drainage improvements across the city and $500,000 that will include the engineering design phase of flood control in the OC Homes neighborhood. The plan adds $4 million in 2026 and $5 million in 2027 for those projects; OC Homes work is expected in 2027.
Paving project spending is $1 million a year for 2026-29, indicating a more maintenance phase in coming years. Gillian noted that 70 percent of the city’s streets and alleys have been repaved in the past decade.
Back bay dredging is budgeted at $1 million a year for the next five years with another $115,000 annually for beach paths, mats and fencing.
There is $3 million slated for 2026 as part of the city’s ongoing share of beach replenishment.
The city is budgeting $795,000 for work at the Ocean City Music Pier in 2025, mostly targeted toward the substructure. There is $2 million slated in 2027 for building envelope repairs.
Some $250,000 a year is allocated for general maintenance projects citywide.
Carey Stadium is expected to get a new scoreboard with a price tag of $200,000, there is $750,000 for the 35th Street Little League field and $180,000 for a new pavilion at the dog park, all set for 2025.
The plan allocates $500,000 a year over five years to replace the lighting fixtures downtown, do street-scaping and install a new sound system. The city wants to install its own lighting because the current fixtures are owned by the utility company and getting them fixed has proved a headache because they have to ask the company for support.
There are myriad other proposals in the capital plan, which will need to get approved by City Council. Once approved, Donato can go out to seek financing for single or multiple projects, another step that requires council approval.
Other items in the plan:
— $194,600 for the Police Department, including $75,000 for NextGen911, $55,000 for body cameras, $11,000 for police car cameras, $3,600 for bicycles and $50,000 for various equipment. Another $217,600 is planned for 2026 and 2028 and $119,600 for each of 2027 and 2029.
— $306,000 over five years for citywide IT hardware.
— $100,000 a year for five years for signage and $300,000 in 2026 for electric vehicle stations.
— $75,000 a year for isolated replacement on the boardwalk.
— $80,000 in 2025 for the Ocean City Beach Patrol, including renovations on headquarters and new bathrooms at the 46th Street station.
— $2 million in 2027 for living quarters renovations for Ocean City Fire Department headquarters and $4 million in 2028 for an addition to Station No. 3.
— $100,000 in 2026 for a new Civic Center floor.
— $50,000 in 2025 for upgrades at the Fourth Street Lifesaving Station and its outbuilding. There is $10,000 a year to refurbish OCBP boats, $65,000 for rescue trucks in 2026 and 2028, and $114,000 from 2026-29 for utility terrain vehicles and $74,000 over that time for ATVs.
— Another $453,000 over five years for the OCBP’s personal watercraft, radios and medical equipment.
— $1 million in 2028 for renovations to the Public Works vehicle maintenance building.
— $335,000 in 2025 and $435,000 in 2026-29 for citywide property work and landscaping.
— $150,000 in 2025 to refurbish the Fire Department’s 1928 Archus Fox truck (and another $500,000 in that line item in 2029); $1.125 million in 2026 and 2027 to replace two pumper engines; $425,000 in 2026 for storm trucks apparatus; $500,000 in 2029 and $80,000 in 2026 and 2029 for SUVs.
— Another $200,000 annually for replacing Fire Department equipment including hoses and turnout gear.
— $350,000 in 2026 for a police boat; $80,000 in 2026 and 2029 for vehicles; and $20,000 in 2026 for an ATV.
— $50,000 annually to refurbish Public Works vehicles; $2.755 million in 2026, $2.725 million in 2027 and $1.140 million in 2028 for vehicles including heavy duty dump trucks, trash trucks and a street sweeper.
— $18,000 a year for Community Services and $15,000 a year for Aquatic and Fitness Center equipment.
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff