From a winning bid for electrical work at the Downtown Recreation Complex to beach events and veteran banners, Ocean City Council members approved several items this week at their Jan. 17 meeting.
Rec complex bid award
Council members opted to go with the lowest of three bidders to complete electrical work for renovations to the Downtown Recreation Complex.
Cambridge-based Tieder Electric submitted a bid of just over $402,300 for the work, which came in lower than not only the other two companies that submitted proposals, but also the overall estimated cost for the work.
City officials had budgeted $478,000 for the project, which is part of a series of upgrades to the complex on St. Louis Avenue between Third and Fourth streets.
According to a staff report, Tieder is set to begin work no later than March 13, with completion set within 300 days of March 31.
The overall project consists of revitalization of the skate park, playground, and recreation building at the downtown site. The site work phase was also recently bid out and came in over budget.
To help with the cost of the whole project, the city has obtained a $1 million grant.
Half marathon/5K
The Ocean City Island to Island Half Marathon/5K is set for April 29 on the Boardwalk, pier, adjacent concrete pad and streets South of Route 50.
According to a staff report, OC Tri-Running Sports will host the event, which will feature both a half marathon and 5K. Both runs begin at 7 a.m. and registration and packet pickup will take place from 1 to 9 p.m., April 28, in the Springfest Entertainment Pavilion.
The half-marathon is set to begin outside of town limits, with runners entering the city by 10 a.m. from Route 50. Participants will turn south on Philadelphia Avenue and continue east on South First Street, cross Baltimore Avenue, and enter the Boardwalk. They will then travel north on Fourth Street and turn east onto the concrete pad, run south, follow around the pier, and finish at the crosswalk between the police substation and Dumser’s Dairyland.
The 5K will begin at the inlet lot and will be confined to the lot, the Boardwalk and adjacent concrete pad. The finish line is the same as the one for the half marathon.
A post-race party will follow the races in the Springfest Entertainment Pavillion and end at 1 p.m.
The staff report said the organizer requested use of the inlet lot, including part of the Springfest grounds, one judges’ stand, 100 pieces of special event fencing, 75 road cones, 50 trash cans, use of city electric, 35 inlet lot parking passes, police support, vehicular access to the Boardwalk and signage.
While the organizer is set to provide EMS support from private companies, he asked for and will receive one city-supplied unit at the finish line.
The organizer is set to pay the city a total $4,470 in private event and asset and support fees.
Soccer challenge
The 2023 Sand Duels Beach Soccer Challenge is set to take place June 10 and 11, and July 29 on beaches downtown.
According to a staff report, the event is scheduled 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily on June 10 and 11 on the beach from Wicomico to North Division streets, and the same hours on July 29 on the beach from Wicomico to Dorchester streets.
Organizers Soccer Event Services Inc. are hosting the small-sided soccer tournament series for players ages 8 through adulthood on 25-by-35-yard sand courts. The courts will be set up 75 feet east of the concrete tram lane and extend no further east than the blue beach boxes on the sand.
Beach Patrol access at Dorchester Street will be clearly marked and monitored by event staff.
The organizer requested trash cans, liners and dumpsters; gate access at the Dorchester Street Boardwalk for load-in and load-out; and use of city electric on the beach at Talbot Street and on the beach at the Dorchester Street bump-out. Reservation of one parking spot on Dorchester Street was also requested.
The report said public works staff will provide the requested trash cans but the organizer is required to provide the liners and must move them into larger cans and reline the smaller ones. Staff will open the gate at Dorchester Street for event load-in and load-out, ensure electric is on at both locations and provide a parking spot.
The organizer will pay the town $3,700 in private event and asset and support fees.
Veteran banner program
The Ocean City Elks Hometown Heroes Military Banner Program is embarking on its ninth year honoring local veterans and active duty officers.
According to a staff report, a representative of the OC Elks Lodge Veteran’s Committee requested permission to continue hosting the program, which consists of the display of banners from Springfest to Sunfest each year on 40 light poles on the concrete Boardwalk from the amusement pier at the inlet to Fourth Street.
The banners honor veterans who served from WWII to the Vietnam Era as well as residents of Worcester County who are currently serving on active duty around the world. The report said members of the OC Elks Lodge #2645 accept and review the honoree applications.
Banner design and printing costs are paid by sponsoring citizens, fraternal organizations and area businesses. Public Works staff members install and remove the banners and brackets.
This story appears in the Jan. 20, 2023 print edition of the OC Today.
