CITY COUNCIL TO VOTE ON REHAB STATUS FOR 600 BOARDWALK, THIS THURS. 6/25
As we feared, this Thursday, June 25, at 6pm, City Council will consider declaring 600 Boardwalk an “Area in Need of Rehabilitation.” We strongly encourage you to attend and have your voice heard, if you’re able.
Here’s Why This Matters…
The Boardwalk Subcommittee just completed months of work and recommended a path forward using the City's normal planning and zoning tools. A rehabilitation designation before talks, before market studies, at this stage benefits no one—except the developer.
Everyone agrees that progress is needed at 600 Boardwalk. The logical next step is negotiation. In fact, it is the fastest path forward. Granting the developer a rehabilitation status — something he wants dearly —before those discussions occur gives away leverage the City may need to secure the best possible outcome for the community.
That negotiation can take place alongside the City undertaking the other studies recommended by the Subcommittee, including a market study. Done in parallel, this ensures that the agreed project not only has the support of the city, its residents and the developer, but also is consistent with our market needs.
A rehabilitation designation shifts the process away from the path recommended by the Subcommittee and into a redevelopment framework with fewer safeguards, less transparency, and less public involvement.
There Is a Better Path Forward
For the past year, the City has been engaged in a Master Plan process to determine the future of the Boardwalk and the former Wonderland site. That process is open. It is fact-driven. It includes public input. It provides transparency and protection for the community. And it has prepared the City for the negotiation with the developer. Let’s not squander this opportunity by giving him a gift before we know what we are getting in return.
Whether you support a hotel, oppose a hotel, or simply believe residents deserve a voice in decisions that will shape Ocean City’s future, you should be concerned about abandoning that process.
Please Attend Thursday’s Council Meeting
TELL CITY COUNCIL TO VOTE “NO” ON REHAB.
THURSDAY JUNE 25, 6PM
OCEAN CITY MUSIC PIER
Tell Council
Respect the work of the Boardwalk Subcommittee
Keep the public involved
Negotiate first
Don't give away the City's leverage
Follow the process that residents were promised
The future of the Boardwalk will shape Ocean City for generations.
If you believe those decisions should be made openly, transparently, and with meaningful public participation, now is the time to speak up.
If you cannot attend in person, please contact your Council representative using the information here.
We hope to see you Thursday.
