OC Today/Dispaatch FEBRUARY 9, 2024
STUBBORNLY LOCAL, EQUALLY INDEPENDENT
Sign up now for new daily newsletter to debut in April. — Page 8
PRICELESS
PHOTO COURTESY ALAN SKLAR
SNOWY OWL A snowy owl looks out over its winter hunting territory on Assateague Island after migrating down from its arctic breeding grounds in Canada and possibly Greenland. This migration doesn’t always happen every year, but photographer Alan Sklar came across this one recently.
Citizen comment? No. County commissioners vote to keep residents from podium at meetings A measure that would create a citizen comment period during commissioner meetings is rejected by a four-member majority, with two of them saying their
opposition was because the staff’s recommendations on the matter weren’t as clear as they would have liked. —PAGE 11
Workforce housing improves, but ... The new employee lodging projects set to come on line before summer won’t be anywhere near enough to meet the
needs of seasonal workers. Much more has to be done, say the people working on them. — PAGE 3
YOUR COMMUNITY Inside a classroom: In a new weekly column, a local school teacher shares an inside look at her typical day as a county educator.– PAGE 62
New board members: Four residents have joined the Art League of Ocean City’s Board of Directors. — PAGE 36
Playoffs near: The winter sports season at Stephen Decatur High School is wrapping up with playoffs starting soon — PAGE 76
PAGE 2
OC Today/Dispatch
HAPPY
HOUR 4-6PM EVERY DAY
Visit us online for all of our latest menus and specials! CA PTA I N STA B L E O C .CO M @captainstableoc
|
410 -2 8 9 -7 1 9 2
FEBRUARY 9, 2024
FEBRUARY 9, 2024
PAGE 3
OC Today/Dispatch
Workforce housing Gains made but still not enough to meet demand By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Feb. 9, 2024) On a quiet February afternoon, in the midst of Ocean City’s offseason, Mike Ramadan is hard at work. Sitting in his office on the third floor of the old Phillips Crab House property, he spends his day taking calls, overseeing construction work and doing whatever else is needed to make his workforce housing project a reality. While just one of many projects taking place in Ocean City, Ramadan says he hopes his redevelopment will show both the city and its businesses what can be done to provide for seasonal employees who work in the resort each summer. “We want people to live happily so they can work happily,” he said. Last September, the Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission approved Ramadan’s plans for a workforce housing project at the old Phillips Crab House property on 21st Street. And in late November, work officially began on what will eventually be a 300-bed facility featuring three- and four-bed-
BREAKFAST
Monday-Friday 9-11am Saturday & Sunday 9am-Noon
HLIVE ENTERTAINMENTH FRIDAY 2/9 • 5 PM BILENKI DUO WEDNESDAY 2/14 • 5 PM FULL CIRCLE DUO
room apartments, each with its own kitchen, dining room, bathrooms and storage units. For Ramadan, a local businessman, the project will address what he sees as a shortage of quality workforce housing in Ocean City. Utilizing an existing building, he said he hopes to transform the entire block into a centralized location that offers seasonal employees access to nearby businesses and public transportation. “There’s a need,” he said, “and we’re fulfilling that need.” In downtown Ocean City, similar efforts are taking place at the Ocean Manor Hotel. The Dough Roller’s Kevin Gibbs said his company recently purchased the property to secure workforce housing for its J-1 visa student workers. He noted that while the state department requires J-1 students to have their housing secured before their visit, the town has an estimated shortage of roughly 3,000 beds. “So it’s a lot better for business owners to have their own housing …,” he explained. “More and more businesses are doing that
HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS TINEMWE Monday-Friday Drinks Noon-6pm Food 2-6pm
T VALENTINE’S DAY T — SPECIALS — • 2 SINGLE CRABCAKE DINNERS W/FF & SLAW & BEIGNETS $30 • LOBSTER TAIL & SMOKED BRISKET W/2 SIDES $32 • PRIME RIB W/2 SIDES $20 ADD A LOBSTER TAIL FOR $12 • STEAMED BOWL $32
MINGO MONDAY, TRIVIA TUESDAY & BAR BINGO THURSDAY 6-8PM
- OFF SEASON SPECIALS MONDAY 11 AM-CL: Philly or Chicken Cheesesteak w/ Hand-Cut Fries $12 TUESDAY 2-8PM: Crabcake Combos ... Crabcake w/Chicken, Ribs OR Brisket $25 WEDNESDAY 2-8PM: Prime Rib w/2 Sides $20
THURSDAY 2-8PM: Burger w/Hand-Cut Fries $12 or Full Rack Of Ribs w/FF & Slaw $22 FRIDAY 11 AM-CL: Burley Oak Battered Rockfish w/FF & Slaw $20 SUNDAY 2-8 PM: 2 Original Classic Crabcake Dinners (5 Oz. $30 |8 Oz. $45) w/ Hand-Cut Fries, Slaw & Beignets
DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS 11 AM-4 PM • CHECK OUR FACEBOOK Dine-In Beverage Purchase ORDERING • Subject To Change and/or Availability • NO SUBSTITUTIONS CCFBAYSIDE.COM AVAILABLE ONLINE DAILY! PAGEWith
OPEN EVERY DAY FROM 9AM TO 9PM
37314 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD | RT. 54, SELBYVILLE, DE • 302-988-5000/302-993-6959
now because they have to.” Gibbs said it is also an effective recruitment tool for businesses looking to secure seasonal employees. By offering a place to stay, he said a business can keep its workers from finding employment elsewhere. “I think the turnover in staff is why people are pushing for this,” he said. At the See RESORT Page 8
PAGE 4
OC Today/Dispatch
FEBRUARY 9, 2024
Mayor of Berlin wants unified grant request Towns’ commitment seems unlikely due to different types of needs from county By Charlene Sharpe Associate Editor (Feb. 8, 2024) Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall asked his peers throughout the county to consider a unified funding request as local municipalities prepare to seek grants from Worcester County. Tyndall last week approached the mayors of Snow Hill, Pocomoke and Ocean City as well as the president of the Ocean Pines Association to ask them to consider a unified funding request to Worcester County. The towns typically submit annual grant requests to Worcester County each February.
“I think it says a lot more if we come at it together,” Tyndall said in an interview this week. On Jan. 31, Tyndall emailed the other mayors and the Ocean Pines Association. His email pointed out that the Worcester County Commissioners had flat funded the municipalities in fiscal year 2024 but that there had recently been an increase in property assessments. He suggested the municipalities consider a unified funding request of $500,000 each. “It’s not uncommon to reach out to colleagues in Worcester County and even across the state,” Tyndall said. He said the Town of Berlin received an unrestricted grant of $400,000 from the county in fiscal year 2013. From fiscal year 20142017, the town received an unrestricted grant of $450,000. In fiscal
year 2018, the town received $455,000. In fiscal year 2019, the county provided the town with $465,000. The grant hasn’t changed since. Tyndall said the town used the funding to support police, fire and EMS needs. “We’re down to one K-9 unit,” he said. “We’ll be looking to onboard another. We’ve got three cadets in the academy. We’ve got increased costs across the board.” He’s hopeful that the commissioners will increase the grant this year, especially since the county’s property tax revenues are up. In Worcester County, Group 3 residential values increased from $7,837,587,900 in 2021 to $11,576,277,100 in 2024, a 47.7% increase. Commercial values jumped
from $926,276,300 in 2021 to $1,227,132,100, a 32.5% increase. Tyndall said if the county provided the town with an unrestricted grant of $500,000, that would be a 7.5% increase over what the town received last year. Snow Hill Mayor Mike Pruitt said he’d received Tyndall’s email but that he hadn’t yet met with the town’s department heads regarding funding needs for the coming year and couldn’t say whether the town would be cooperating with Berlin as far as a unified request. When asked about Tyndall’s request, Ocean Pines officials indicated they’d be working with the county going forward. “As in prior years, Ocean Pines will continue to work with Worcester County on our annual budget request,” General Manager John Viola said. Pocomoke City Mayor Todd Nock acknowledged Tyndall’s request but said he felt the towns each had different needs. “I hold the belief that Pocomoke, Snow Hill, Berlin, Ocean Pines, and Ocean City each possess distinct priorities,” Nock said. “Although I advocate for collaborative efforts to enhance Worcester as a whole, I do not deem this particular endeavor as the appropriate means to achieve unity. While I am eager to align my vision with fellow mayors, I am not inclined to prioritize monetary aspects at this stage.”
Inside thiss we ee k Calendar ..............................46 Classifieds ..........................49 Crossword ............................26 Dining Guide ........................42 Editoral/Letters....................68 Entertainment ......................34 Horoscope ............................27 Obituaries ............................72 Police/Crime........................23 Public Notices ......................53 Sports ..................................76 NEWS INQUIRIES: editor@oceancitytoday.net SALES INQUIRIES: sales@oceancitytoday.net CLASSIFIEDS: classifieds@oceancitytoday.net 410-723-6397 Published Fridays by FLAG Publications, Inc. 11934 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City Md 21842
FEBRUARY 9, 2024
PAGE 5
OC Today/Dispatch
OVER $46.6 MILLION IN SETTLED REAL ESTATE IN 2023 12207 Coastal Hwy. Suite D • Ocean City, MD 21842 • 410-524-1203
NANCY REITHER-SMITH
#1 AGENT COLDWELL BANKER Realty 2023 Sales Volume, Listings & Closed Units Ocean City and DE Beaches
Realtor® • Licensed in MD & DE Office: 410-524-1203 Direct: 410-723-8574 / Cell: 410-603-5050 Email: nreither@cbmove.com
#1 LISTING AGENT FOR COLDWELL BANKER REALTY OCEAN CITY & DE BEACHES MID-TOWN 3BR/3.5 BA RIVENDELL CONDOMINIUM with WATER VIEWS! OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 12:30-2:30PM
DIRECT BAYFRONT OCEAN CITY!
121 81ST ST UNIT 706 OCEAN CITY • $815,000 Stunning three-bedroom 3.5 bath condo at the Rivendell hits the market! This beautiful condo is being sold furnished and it's ready for your immediate enjoyment. You’ll be mesmerized by the waterfront views. You can actually watch both the sunrise and the sunset without ever leaving this condo. The kitchen is sure to delight the chef in your family with its granite countertops, custom cabinets and plenty of workspace. Off the kitchen is the family room and dining area where you will enjoy family meals and make memories that last a lifetime. The family room is great for entertaining and has a gas fireplace for chilly times in fall and winter. There’s also a wet bar for relaxing and having cocktails with friends. You can see the Ocean and Bay from the primary bedroom suite and the primary bath is luxurious with a tile Jacuzzi tub, shower and double vanities. The other two bedrooms are spacious as well and each have their own en suite bathroom. There is also a half bath off the family room. There’s a separate laundry room with washer and dryer and plenty of storage. Privacy is ensured with good separation between the primary bedroom and the other two bedrooms. There are large balconies where you can enjoy your morning coffee and a cold drink in the evening. The Rivendell has an indoor pool, outdoor pool and a fitness center, and the Hobbit restaurant is located in the building as well. This condo is located in Midtown on 81st St. and there is a traffic light at the intersection so crossing the street is very easy. There are plenty of stores, restaurants and shops in the area. There is a parking garage and secure access to the building. Come take a look today and make this beautiful property yours. This is a non-rental building so you will make friends and know your neighbors. MLS MDWO2017698
733 BRADLEY ROAD • OCEAN CITY • $3,200,000 Luxury 5BR/6BA/2HBA Bayfront home with pool hits the market! This luxury home has 145 feet of water frontage with direct bay views and offers southern exposure. As you walk in the front door of this lovely home you will immediately fall in love with the attention to details and upgrades throughout. An elegant foyer with marble flooring greets you as you enter with your eyes drawn to the beautiful Bayfront views and the swimming pool in the courtyard. On the first level you will find a kitchen designed for access in and out to the pool area with plenty of seating and room for entertaining family and friends. Also on the first floor, you will find a Bay front office or playroom for the kids. This home is complete with a home elevator so either take the spiraling stairs to the second level or take the elevator up to the second level.You will be mesmerized by the amazing Bayfront views and endless sunsets this home offers. There are 6 decks off the home for privacy. On the second level you will find a professional chef’s kitchen complete with large center island, high end appliances and plenty of cabinet space adjoining a beautiful, spacious dining room overlooking the bay. The family room is also complete with a gas fireplace for chilly winter nights, making this the perfect home for year-round living or a vacation home. Also, on this floor, you will find a second office, home theater room, or game room. On the third level you will enjoy waking up to the endless water views from your primary bedroom. The primary bath has custom finishes throughout with extensive tile work. The primary bedroom also has a fireplace for romantic evenings and relaxing. Also on this floor are three additional bedrooms, which are spacious and separated nicely from the primary bedroom. This home is over 6000 ft.² and is one of the few Bayfront homes available on the market. So, if you’re looking for a home at the beach, also offering all the thrill of the day with attention to detail look no further. Come take a look at 733 Bradley Rd. today before it’s sold! MDWO2014714
NORTH OC CONDO with DEEDED BOAT SLIP
WATERFRONT HOME AT REFUGE DERRICKSON CREEK OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 12:30-2:30PM
204 N HERON DR #2048C OCEAN CITY • $425,000 This beautiful 2BR/2BA condo with deeded boat slip #23 is in Seascape in the fabulous community of Heron Harbour. This larger corner model is rarely available for sale. It has two primary bedrooms each with its own full bath. This condo comes furnished ready for your immediate enjoyment. When you walk in you will fall in love with the floor plan with a townhouse feel. There is an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, subway tile backsplash, and white kitchen cabinets. The dining room is directly off the kitchen that flows into a spacious living area. The family room has vaulted ceilings and is a great place for family time and entertaining with friends. This condo has an oversized primary bedroom. The second bedroom is on the next level and has a full bath and oversized closet. There is a full deck off the family room, perfect to enjoy an outdoor meal. There is also an outdoor storage closet off the deck. You will love the deeded boat slip that conveys with the property. Offered with a oneyear AHS warranty. Heron Harbour is amenity rich with two outdoor pools, an indoor pool, a kiddie pool, fitness center, social room, sauna, locker room, two Har-Tru tennis courts, sidewalks, and piers. Enjoy your boat, fishing, crabbing, kayaking, and paddle boarding all directly out your back door. You are very close to shopping, restaurants, and the beach. Come take a look before it's SOLD! MDWO2018196
36939 CREEKHAVEN DR • SELBYVILLE, DE 19975 • $835,000 Stunning 4BR/4.5 bath home in the Refuge at Derickson Creek hits the market! This meticulously maintained home backs up to the pond, has peek of the Bay and is located approximately three miles from Fenwick Island beach. As you walk through the front door you will immediately see the attention to detail. There is an upgraded kitchen with breakfast bar, Quartz countertops, beautiful tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and plenty of cabinet space. The kitchen opens into the dining area. Friends and family will enjoy meals there together and will make memories that last a lifetime. The spacious family room, with a beautiful gas fireplace, is off the dining area and is a perfect gathering place for entertaining family and friends. There’s a wonderful, enclosed sunroom with a glass slider to the paver patio deck and beautiful back yard. There’s also a flex room on the first floor that could be used as an office. The primary bedroom suite is located on the first floor and is oversized and has a beautiful full en suite bath. You will enjoy the water views from your primary bedroom. The laundry room is also on the first floor. You will love the first-floor hardwood floors, tile, woodworking, upgraded lighting and upgraded carpet throughout. The hardwood floors continue to the second level. There is a spacious second family room on this level and there are three additional bedrooms all with en suite baths. This is the perfect home for everyone to enjoy. There is a two-car garage, covered front porch, and outside shower. Every room in this house has a view of the pond and a peek of the Bay. The Refuge is an amenity rich community with a large inviting outdoor pool w/separate wading pool for kids, a clubhouse with an exercise/workout room, tennis courts, basketball court, volleyball court and playground. In the Refuge you get to enjoy the scenic views and native wildfowl of Derickson Creek and the Delaware Inland bays. Come take a look today before it's SOLD! DESU2052970
OCEAN 2 BR/2BA CONDO OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY & SUNDAY 10AM-NOON
NEW WATERFRONT CONDO
301 14TH STREET #302 • OCEAN CITY • $695,000
1 66TH ST UNIT 101 • OCEAN CITY • $499,900 Stunning 2BR/2BA condo one back from the beach hits the market! This condo is located on 66th street in an ocean block building. The sellers have made many recent upgrades, installing luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout, new microwave, new refrigerator, new stove, new dishwasher, new exterior HVAC unit, toilets and kitchen faucet within the last three years. The decks also were tiled in 2019 and the glass sliders leading to the deck were also replaced within the last five years. This would make a great second home or investment property and is being sold fully furnished and ready for your immediate enjoyment. This is one of the best values at the beach - fully furnished and only one back from the ocean. As you walk through the front door, you will see an inviting living room for entertaining family and friends. There is a dining area off the kitchen with glass sliders leading to a huge covered deck with recently tiled floor. You can hear the waves break from the deck. This is a first floor unit but it's an elevated building so the height off the street is equivalent to a second floor unit. This condo has two large bedrooms and two full baths so there's plenty of room for family and friends. The condo is in walking distance to many restaurants, stores, shops and a supermarket, so once you're here you don’t have to move your car, but the condo is conveniently located to the route 90 bridge, making coming and going a joy. Come take a look today before this amazing property is sold. This condo association is well managed by Mann Properties. MLS MDWO2016172
RESIDENTIAL LOT
WATERSIDE DRIVE BERLIN • $475,000 Are you looking to build your dream home? Look no further than this beautiful residential lot in the community of South Point Farms. This beautiful building lot is in a prime location on the corner with beautiful bay views. The lot is approximately 2.76 acres and it’s located off 611 in Berlin Maryland. At the entrance of South Point Farms is a public boat ramp and public pier with water access for boating fishing, crabbing, paddle boarding, and kayaking. If you are looking for a peaceful, tranquil location with unbelievable Bay views this is the prime spot. There are multiple world-class golf courses close by and Assateague National and State Park as well for days on the beach. No builder tie in required. Come take a look today and enjoy the good life on South Point Farms! MDWO2014122
Stunning 3-bedroom 3.5 bath luxury condo in Laguna Vista hits the market! As you walk in the front door, you will immediately fall in love with the large open floor plan and coastal decor. The gourmet kitchen features an abundance of cabinets, beautiful tile backsplash, granite countertops and center island with stainless steel appliances. Off the kitchen is a beautiful dining area where you will enjoy meals with family and friends. The dining room flows nicely into the large family area for relaxing and entertaining, and there is a gas fireplace for winter nights. The family room has a glass slider to a covered deck with southern exposure. The famous White Marlin tournament is right next-door, and you have a great view from your balcony. The primary bedroom ensuite is spacious and faces the water as well. There's also a slider off the primary bedroom to the balcony. The other two bedrooms are private as well. There's also a separate entrance to those two bedrooms off the foyer so one of them could serve as a second primary bedroom. The HVAC was just replaced. This condo is well taken care of, and the amenities in the condo building include an indoor heated pool and an open year-round exercise room. The condo is just three blocks to the beach and boardwalk. This well-maintained condo is being sold fully furnished and shows pride of ownership. Come take a look today before it's sold. MDWO2018458
COMMERCIAL
34862 WEST LINE RD SELBYVILLE, DE • $3,900,000 Commercial Site in Prime Location hits the Market! 2.36 acres on the corner of RT 54 and W. Line Rd in Selbyville DE. This location is directly across from Yellowfins Restaurant and shopping center on heavily traveled Rt 54. The location is approximately 3-4 miles to the beaches of Ocean City & Fenwick Island. It has water and 8' sewer main that will supply a hotel, shopping center, office complex, medical center, professional center, etc. Lot is cleared. Buy it Now Before It's SOLD!!! Owner Financing is available. MLS DESU184528
COMMERCIAL
32474 LIGHTHOUSE RD SELBYVILLE, DE • $7,900,000 Prime commercial location in Selbyville of 10.09 acres. This is a rare commercial development opportunity on the busy intersection of Lighthouse Sound Rd. (Route 54) and Hudson Rd. There are already many existing new homes surrounding this property and more than 3,200 additional homes are coming soon. This is the perfect location for a shopping center, multiple smaller retail businesses, and/or medical or other professional offices to serve these homes and the entire Selbyville, Bayside, Fenwick, Ocean City area. The Seller will finance up to 70% of the purchase price at 1 percent below the current prime lending rate for up to 5 years. The property is located 8 miles from the beach! DESU2044978
THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING? LET'S CONNECT TO BEGIN THE PROCESS TODAY! The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate 2024 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2015 a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. 10771BALT_07/15
PAGE 6
OC Today/Dispatch
FEBRUARY 9, 2024
FEBRUARY 9, 2024
Pilot fee-in-lieu parking program eyed for resort By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Feb. 9, 2024) Officials are considering a pilot program to test a fee-inlieu parking concept in Ocean City. At a recent meeting of the Ocean City Fee-In-Lieu Parking Committee, members held discussions on several topics pertaining to a proposed feein-lieu concept. In addition to costs and pricing, committee members also discussed a potential pilot program. “Essentially we discussed implementing a pilot program,” committee member Joe Wilson said this week. “I think the goal coming out of this next meeting is to discuss pilot locations and set up a fee-in-lieu program for two different zones, one from North Division to 9th Street and another south of North Division Street. OCDC has a lot we could potentially use, and the town has a lot they could potentially use as well.” Last year, representatives with the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) came before the Mayor and Council to discuss the proposed implementation of a Fee-In-Lieu of Parking (FILOP) program. Simply put, a FILOP program would allow developers an alternative for meeting the town’s minimum parking requirements. The concept allows property owners to pay a fee to the town instead of providing some or all of the necessary off-street parking required by code. The town then uses those fees to pay for public parking. From that initial meeting, the council agreed to form a new committee to explore the concept in greater detail. And in June, the committee held its first meeting at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. Wilson said a FILOP program would not only improve parking but encourage economic development. He noted that a developer’s inability to meet the town’s parking requirements has hindered redevelopment opportunities in the downtown area. “It helps for development and redevelopment,” he said this week. “Oftentimes, people downtown have more density than they have parking. We want to help incentivize development and provide an avenue to get parking when they don’t have it in those areas.” Wilson said that no official actions have been taken regarding a FILOP program in Ocean City. However, the committee plans to meet again in the coming months. “The last meeting was primarily a discussion and not a whole lot of action,” he said. “We’re still in the research phase at this point in time.”
OceanCityToday.com
PAGE 7
OC Today/Dispatch
West OC’’ss Newest Mexican Grill SPECIALS We Have the Tick i et!
Nacho Supreme $6.50 Choriqueso $5.25 Grilled Grande Quesadilla (Steak or Chi e ) $5.50 Mexican Draf at 16 oz $3.75 25 oz $6 ½ Pric r e Margarita g
A uthen tic Me xican C uisine
CantinaLosAgaves.com
Valentine’ss Day Special $10 OFF FAJITA AS FOR 2 FAJITAS A TEXANAS FOR 2
16 oz & 27 oz Park k Pl Place Pl Plaza Shop Sh pping i Center • 12720 Ocea an Gateway #7 • Route 50 East • 410-390-3914
Building DREAM HOMES on the Shore for Over 30 Years!
New Homes Additions Remodeling 2nd Floor Additions We Have Set Our 2024 Open House Tour Dates, the Last Saturday of Each Month 11-2: February 24 • March 30 • April 27 • May 25 • June 29 • July 27 • August 31 September 28 • October 26
New Office Location!
RESORT HOMES, LLC FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
11934 Ocean Gateway Suite 9 • West Ocean City, MD 21842 410-213-7721 or 410-726-8528 • www.resorthousing.com Darryl Greer, Realtor® 410-726-8528 reshomes@beachin.net • dgreer@resorthousing.com
PAGE 8
OC Today/Dispatch
FEBRUARY 9, 2024
Resort businesses seek housing solutions Continued from Page 3 21st Street housing project, Ramadan said he is renting to businesses rather than seasonal employees. By utilizing that business model, he said, local business owners can ensure housing for their workers. He said he is now accepting applications for the coming summer season and that more information can be found at ocworkforcehousing.com. “I like this model because it makes sense for both parties,” he said. Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association Executive Director Susan Jones said the shortage of workforce housing – exacerbated by the pandemic and the conversion of properties into short-term rentals – continues to be an ongoing issue for Ocean City. She noted, however, that she is witnessing some short-term
rentals converting back to workforce housing. “It is easier to service a seasonal rental rather than a daily/weekly short-term rental,” she said. Amy Thompson, executive director of the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, said several efforts to address workforce housing are taking shape in Ocean City. In addition to Ramadan’s project, Thompson highlighted a recent code amendment allowing for non-accessory workforce housing in town. “It’s a big issue, and there’s no simple solution …,” she said. “We just have to keep talking about it. This is an entrepreneurial town, and someone can go, ‘I can help in this way.’” While the town has yet to receive any applications utilizing the recent code amendment, officials said they
are exploring all options when it comes to workforce housing, including the development of a police substation that includes employee housing. Ramadan, however, argued more needed to be done to encourage developers to take on such projects. “The city – and maybe the state – could show some more support to incentivize people to do this,” he said. While work continues at the municipal level, one nonprofit is attempting to improve workforce housing in the downtown area. Ocean City Development Corporation Executive Director Zach Bankert said the organization is now in its second year of offering workforce housing and rehabilitation grants through its OCDC Development and Assistance Program. “It is designed for development
costs,” he explained, “so surveys, architectural design, construction drawings, geotech, all of the preconstruction costs for new construction or the rehabilitation of existing workforce housing.” Property owners in the downtown area could be awarded grants between $10,000 and $25,000 to help cover costs associated with new workforce housing projects and workforce housing rehabilitation, he said. “Any business you talk to, they have an employee issue, a shortage,” he explained. “In Ocean City, because we rely so much on J-1s and H-2B employees, you have to have housing for them or you won’t be able to secure their contracts. It’s something the OCDC and the town has talked about for a long time, and this is our way of trying to support the cause.”
Higher quarterly CHOSEN MARYLAND’S BEST ICE CREAM BY FOOD & WINE MAGAZINE utility rates OK’d for OC residents
A Family Tradition For 83 Years! WEST OC: CORNER OF ROUTE 611 AND ROUTE 50 EAST BOARDWALK: CAROLINE STREET, WICOMICO STREET AND SOUTH DIVISION STREET LUNCH AND DINNER AT DUMSER’S DAIRYLAND NORTH, 12305 COASTAL HWY.
DUMSER’S DRIVE-IN, 4901 COASTAL HWY. NEWLY RENOVATED!
ICE CREAM MADE DAILY IN OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Ice Cream Our Specialty. Stop By Any Dumser’s Location For A Wide Variety Of Homemade Ice Cream, Milkshakes, Sundaes, Floats And Much More.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Feb. 9, 2024) New water and wastewater rates will take effect in the coming fiscal year. On Monday, the Mayor and Council voted to adopt new water and wastewater service rates for the next five fiscal years. The rates, determined by a recent water and wastewater study, are expected to increase a customer’s average bill by more than $14 a quarter starting in 2025. “This is adopting the water and wastewater rates for fiscal years 2025 through 2029,” said City Solicitor Heather Stansbury. “This was originally presented to you at the January 30 work session.” Last week, representatives with NewGen Strategies and Solutions came before the Mayor and Council to present the results of a recent See INCREASE Page 10
Stay informed with our digital newsletter Interested in getting more information more quickly than our weekly OC Today/Dispatch delivers? Our five-days-a-week digital newsletter might be just what you need. We are developing an in-your-morningemail product (with updates for breaking news) and invite you to give it a try when it debuts in the spring. If you sign up now, you’ll get a free three-month trial subscription to what will become available by paid subscription only for a nominal charge. How nominal? $2 a month or $12 a year to cover our production costs. Sign up now and get three months free by emailing malloryp@oceancitytoday.net. She’ll also keep you posted on our progress.
FEBRUARY 9, 2024
OC Today/Dispatch
PAGE 9