August 7, 2026

Dear Friends,

City Council approved two contracts last night for the construction of the new 34th Street playground and recreation area.

We’re hoping to break ground on September 14, and the entire facility will be ready in time for next summer. We have a $3.5 million county grant to help offset the cost.

The project includes a state-of-the-art playground, a new building with restrooms and offices, new basketball courts, an accessible dunk court, tennis courts, and we’re adding family pickleball courts and an outdoor stage for family-friendly events and activities like the Wednesday evening entertainment series that we started this summer. This work will continue our efforts to bring new life to the 34th Street gateway.

Two other fall projects are scheduled to begin after Columbus Day Weekend.

Demolition of the old public safety building is expected to begin on October 13, and construction of the new building will begin early in the new year. Reconstruction of the Boardwalk from 14th Street to 16th Street is also expected to begin on October 13.

We have received the official tax rate from the state and county. Tax bills are being mailed now, and the grace period will be extended to September 8.

Beach replenishment is going well. We now have wide, new beaches almost up to the Music Pier.

When work reaches the 11th Street area, the project will flip directions and move from First Street to the north end.

I’m sad to report on the loss of Joan Klein Phillips at the age of 85. Joan has been part of our community all of her life. She met her husband, David, while working a summer job at Gillian’s Fun Deck in the 1950s. She was a proud supporter of the Ocean City Pops and Ocean City Yacht Club, and a faithful member of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church. Please join Michele and me in offering sympathies to all of Joan’s family and friends.

I also want to extend deepest condolences to former State Sen. Nick Asselta, who lost his wife of 46 years, Nancy Lynn Small Asselta, after a battle with cancer. Nancy was a great friend to many, and she will be missed.

After City Council last night, I had the pleasure of stopping by the “Greatest Moments in Philly Sports” show at the Music Pier, where Ray Didinger, Glen Macnow and Joe Conklin entertained a full house with lots of great stories and laughs. I want to thank them for putting on a great show.

There’s still time to catch musical “Sister Act” presented by the Ocean City Theatre Company and the Ocean City Pops. Shows continue through August 13 at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center within Ocean City High School. More information and tickets are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, and free parking for ticketholders will be available on the field adjacent to the venue.

The show is just one of many great events scheduled for the weekend and next week, including the Miss Ocean City Pageant, the Boys & Girls Fishing Tournament, the Guts & Glory 5K Run, and Brass Transit with the Ocean City Pops. On Monday, Family Night and the “America 250” drone show return to the Boardwalk, while the Outlaws perform at the Music Pier. More information on all these events is available here.

I hope you all have a safe and happy weekend.

Warm regards,

Jay A. Gillian
Mayor

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