Ocean City Police Department Celebrates Downtown Substation Ribbon Cutting

OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND – July 15, 2025 –

Gillis Gilkerson was honored to take part in the recent ribbon cutting ceremony for the Ocean City Police Department’s new Downtown Substation, that now stands at the intersection of S. Baltimore Avenue and Somerset Street in Ocean City, MD.

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan and Chief of Police Raymond Austin joined Town officials and Ocean City Development Corporation board members and staff to mark the milestone, alongside Gillis Gilkerson Project Manager Rich Hertzog, Superintendent Jim Morris and Project Executive Dwight Miller. Yellow police caution tape was used in lieu of a traditional ribbon.

The OCPD Downtown Substation is a three-story building in a prime location that ensures that police services are more accessible to the community. Each floor serves a unique purpose, with the ground floor offering a public-facing lobby, an interview room, break room and a bicycle repair garage with storage available for the bicycle unit. The second floor has workspace for Ocean City Police Department’s Police force and Public Safety Officers. The third floor is dedicated to creating seasonal housing for municipal employees and seasonal Public Safety Officers, easing the burden of finding affordable living arrangements and managing commutes during peak season.

Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) Board Member Kevin Gibbs is credited with initiating the idea for the project and was honored at the ceremony by being asked to cut the ceremonial police tape first. Ocean City Development Corporation worked alongside the Town of Ocean City to see the project through, assisting the efforts by obtaining grant funds for the building’s initial design and funding a portion of the construction debt service costs. OCDC will maintain involvement managing tenants on the third floor once the building is occupied.

“This new substation represents more than just bricks and mortar,” said Austin. “It symbolizes our ongoing commitment to providing responsive, community-focused policing for everyone who lives in, works in and visits Ocean City.”

Construction of the substation took into account the Somerset Street Shuttle Stop that serves as a major hub for public transit and area shuttles. Vending machines, public restrooms and a large awning covering benches were included on the Somerset Street side to create a welcoming drop-off point for visitors. The building’s exterior maintains a coastal aesthetic, complete with an eye-catching tower and architectural details in line with downtown design standards, that mirror many other OCDC related projects. The OCPD Downtown Substation was completed in Summer 2025 and will be fully furnished and ready for use by Fall 2025.