24 Jul OCPD Downtown Substation Breaks Ground
OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND – July 25, 2024 – Gillis Gilkerson was honored to take part in the recent groundbreaking ceremony for the Ocean City Police Department’s new Downtown Substation, slated for construction this summer at the intersection of S. Baltimore Avenue and Somerset Street in Ocean City, MD. Mayor Rick Meehan, Chief of Police Ross Buzzuro and Ocean City Development Corporation Board President Joe Wilson highlighted the significant benefits the new facility will bring to the town, as they were joined by town officials and community stakeholders to celebrate the project’s commencement.
The OCPD Downtown Substation will feature offices, a public-facing lobby, a bicycle repair garage, storage for the bicycle unit and staff parking, as well as housing for municipal employees on the third floor. The prime location ensures that police services are more accessible to the community and staff members, improving safety and support for everyone involved.
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end”, quoted Ocean City Chief of Police Ross Buzzuro, who added, “While we close the chapter on our Worcester Street Substation, a new chapter will begin here at Somerset Street. This chapter, which is of immense importance to use and our downtown community, will bring us closer. The new substation, with its emphasis on accessibility, will be a vital tool for community engagement.”
Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) is credited with the genesis of the project. OCDC Board Member Kevin Gibbs initiated the idea for the project, and with support from the OCDC Board, the group was able to obtain grant funding for the building’s initial design efforts. OCDC will fund half of the construction debt service costs and will maintain involvement managing tenants on the third floor once the building is occupied.
Project Manager Rich Hertzog and Superintendent Jim Morris represented the Gillis Gilkerson team at the groundbreaking ceremony. The architects for the project, Becker Morgan Group joined the celebration as well as elected officials, local dignitaries, municipal representatives and Ocean City Development Corporation Board Members. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 8th, 2024, with construction commencing immediately after. The OCPD Downtown Substation is expected to be completed in Summer 2025.
About Gillis Gilkerson
As award-winning Gillis Gilkerson celebrates its 40th year in business on Delmarva, the firm has established a reputation as one of the most trusted and stable construction management, general contracting, and real estate development firms on the Peninsula. The team offers a broad and deep understanding of all commercial asset types, including medical, general office, industrial, hospitality, mercantile, restaurants, retail and more. As a collective of creative problem solvers, Gillis Gilkerson is capable of stepping beyond the call of duty of traditional contractor to assist with more in-depth development tasks, including land purchase, building program development and turnkey project and property management. The team works in conjunction with architects, government planners, engineers, surveyors, inspectors, and leasing agents to manage the process of both development and construction from concept to completion.