Mayor Gillian Outlines “Treasures” and Infrastructure Projects at Spring Town Hall

In a comprehensive town hall meeting at the Community Center on Saturday morning, Mayor Jay Gillian provided residents with an optimistic look at the city’s future, focusing on the preservation of what he called the island’s “treasures”—the beach, boardwalk, and bay.

A centerpiece of the meeting was the announcement of massive federal and state investments in coastal protection. Mayor Gillian shared that Congressman Jeff Van Drew helped secure a $99 million funding pool for South Jersey beaches, with Ocean City’s specific replenishment project budgeted at more than $38 million. The work will primarily target the “hot zone” from Sea Spray to 14th Street. Remarkably, federal and state partners will cover over 90% of the cost, leaving the city with a share of approximately $3.3 million.

Beyond the shoreline, the Mayor detailed the ongoing transformation of the boardwalk and downtown. Following the successful rebuilding of the North End, crews are currently finishing reinforcements between 12th and 14th Streets, with plans to rebuild from 14th to 16th Street starting this fall. To alleviate summer parking congestion, the Mayor announced that the city recently acquired several downtown properties to add over 60 new spots. Additionally, the planned demolition of the old police station will open up 66 temporary spaces for the upcoming 2026 summer season.

Public safety and community facilities also shared the spotlight. The city is moving forward with a new $30 million Public Safety Building, with construction slated to begin by the end of the year. During the Q&A session, current Police Chief William Campbell addressed the growing concern over electric bikes. Chief Campbell explained that while new state laws regarding registration and insurance have created a bit of a “gray area,” the department’s current priority is educating riders on safety and boardwalk rules rather than strict enforcement during the initial transition.

Environmental concerns were raised by residents advocating for pesticide-free public lands and “amber” LED lighting to better protect local wildlife and human sleep cycles. The Mayor assured the crowd that the city is carefully weighing these options, including new plantings for the 16th Street open space.

Looking ahead to the summer, the Mayor invited the community to participate in celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. Highlights include a free outdoor concert by the Ocean City Pops on July 2nd, followed by a recurring patriotic drone show at 6th Street every Monday night through the summer.