OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) celebrated 15 years of success by looking back at all that has been accomplished at its annual meeting last week.
Honored with a Façade Improvement Program Award was the South Beach Apartments project on Philadelphia Avenue. Above left, from left, are OCDC President Bob Givarz, Spiro Buas, Shawn Maness, Marianne Buas and OCDC Executive Director Glenn Irwin.
“This has been quite an eventful year for the OCDC. It was only 16 years ago, in 1999, that the Town of Ocean City established a working group to seriously discuss revitalizing downtown Ocean City. Out of this original group of 34 people, 15 members of this group were elected to become the Board of Directors,” OCDC President Bob Givarz said. “Looking back, most of the people on the original OCDC Board and organization have changed but our focus has remained the same; revitalizing downtown Ocean City.”
In February of 2000, OCDC was incorporated, and in 2001 OCDC received its 501c3 status from the IRS, allowing it to pursue state grants and tax deductible donations.
In 2002, OCDC worked with the town to create Somerset Plaza, a pedestrian-only block from the Boardwalk to Baltimore Avenue, and over the next 15 years a number of other capital projects, such as South 1st Street, Sunset Park, 4th Street parking lot expansion and decorative street lights along with all three phases of St. Louis Avenue, were completed.
Also in 2002, OCDC completed its first façade project at 8 Somerset Street with Earl Cantine and 15 years later 166 façade projects have been completed with another 12 projects underway. Almost $6 million of private funds have been invested back into older buildings in downtown Ocean City.
In 2002, the downtown design standards from the Inlet to 3rd Street were approved by
Long-time Ocean City Police Lt. Mark Pacini was recognized for his patrol work on the Boardwalk. He is pictured with, from left, Givarz, Police Chief Ross Buzzuro and Irwin. Photos by Joanne Shriner
the City Council and codified, as well as OCDC’s first public art project, White Marlin sculpture by Paul Lockhart located at the foot of the Route 50 Bridge, was completed followed by the water feature in 2003. Fifteen years later, nine major public artworks have been completed including the painting of 25 utility boxes by the Art League of Ocean City, local schools and others.
In 2002, OCDC also partnered with the OC Cruzers to commence special events along Somerset Plaza that continue today and in 2007 OCDC started its Sunset Park music events.
In 2003, in working with the Town of Ocean City, the Inlet Parking Fund was created to provide funding to the OCDC for its land acquisition and capital projects.
In 2005, the Tarry A. While Guest House was moved to 8 Dorchester Street and fully renovated to serve as office space for OCDC employees and seasonal housing for 13 Ocean City Beach Patrol employees. The OCDC renovated three other buildings that added 29 seasonal beds for city employees managed by OCDC.
Because of success in the design standards, in 2006 the OCDC expanded its area north to 17th Street. The Town of Ocean City approved new design standards for the area between 3rd and 17th streets.
In 2010, OCDC completed its first Green Building Initiatives project, and 29 projects were completed before this program was merged with the Façade Program. Over $425,000 has been invested by property owners under this program.
In recognition of their dedication and service to OCDC since its inception, Pam and Macky Stansell, center with Givarz and Irwin, were celebrated with an award.
In 2012 the Boardwalk Development Association merged with OCDC, and a new OCDC Boardwalk Committee continues to pursue improvements to the Boardwalk including business directory signs and reviewing outdoor display applications.
In 2013, OCDC completed its first Business Assistance project with six projects being completed to date.
“We look forward to our summer projects, the completion of the OCBP headquarters, demolition of buildings on the Model Block, the OC Dolphin sculpture plaza, and creation of new but temporary public and leased parking in the downtown area. In addition we are geared up to provide seasonal housing for 32 Ocean City Beach Patrol employees and special events at Sunset Park and Somerset Plaza,” Givarz said. “With all these accomplishments, the OCDC still has a number of projects to pursue in the future. These include the Model Block project, a downtown parking structure, targeted land acquisition, possible expansion of OCDC projects and programs to other sections of Ocean City, more public art, and much more. All of these efforts will improve Ocean City. We look forward to your continued support.”
Givarz thanked all entities for their continued support.
“The OCDC would like to thank the Town of Ocean City and Worcester County Commissioners for their continued funding of our redevelopment efforts. The Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development has been instrumental in providing project funding. We recognize the difficult budgetary process both entities are facing this coming fiscal year, but we do hope that both realize the tremendous financial benefits that will be realized by investing into our revitalization efforts,” he said.
Prior to OCDC Executive Director Glenn Irwin handing out the annual OCDC awards, a surprise award was handed to Councilman Wayne Hartman for his year of service on the OCDC Board.
This year’s Façade Improvement Program Awards went to Spiro and Marianne Buas at 11 and 15 Philadelphia Avenue for South Beach Apartments and Contracting Coordinator Shawn Maness and Architect/Engineer PSA Designs.; the Regan family for the Sand Dollar at 5 11th Street and contractor Chesapeake Roofing; the Arrington family for Edgewater House at 500 Edgewater Avenue and contractor Jones and Sons, Inc; and the Purnell family for the Atlantic House at 400 S. Atlantic Avenue and contractor B&E Homes Contractors.
The award winner of the Business Assistance Program was Sam Song and Chris Gentry for the new Sweet Frog location on the Boardwalk and contractor Mitrecic Builders and architect Jeff Schoellkoff Design.
The New Residential Project Award went to Ray Shockley and Bob Pomeranz for the Island View Townhouses at 307 5th Street and Contractor Manager Sekace Homes LLC and architect Fisher Architecture LLC.
The OCDC Organization Award was received by Jim Smith of Delmarva Power for its assistance in the Utility Box Paint Program.
Other awards went to Ocean City Police Department Lt. Mark Pacini for his dedication in patrolling the Boardwalk as well as Macky and Pam Stansell, who have worked with the OCDC since its inception.