The popular Boardwalk needs reconstruction periodically to keep it in good shape.
The northern end of Ocean City’s Boardwalk will be getting a multimillion-dollar facelift, although one councilman is objecting to some of the materials that will be used in the project.
Voting 6-1, City Council on Friday awarded a $4.2 million contract for the Boardwalk’s reconstruction from St. Charles Place to Fifth Street.
The work will include replacement of the foundation pilings, new decking and new ramps that will improve access to the Boardwalk. City Business Administrator George Savastano said the ramps will comply with the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
New stairs and railings are also part of the project. However, the Boardwalk will not be widened.
Another facet of the Boardwalk project will include replacing the existing Atlantic City Electric lights with decorative pole lighting that will now be maintained by the city. Savastano said the Boardwalk fixtures will be similar to the decorative light poles in the downtown shopping district.
The contractor, L. Feriozzi Concrete Co., is expected to begin the work this fall and complete it by next spring, in time for the start of the tourism season. The contract was awarded by Council in a 6-1 vote.
Councilman Jody Levchuk cast the dissenting vote after raising objections about some of the materials that will be used in the Boardwalk project.
“Some of the materials I would prefer to be different,” Levchuk said.
Councilman Jody Levchuk, center, objects to some of the materials that will be used in the Boardwalk's reconstruction and voted no on the contract.During a Council discussion, Levchuk did not specify the types of materials he was concerned about in the contract. He declined to elaborate after the meeting.
“Obviously, I’m a fan of this. But I’m not a fan of some of the materials that are anticipated to be used,” he said of his support for the Boardwalk’s overall improvement.
Levchuk proposed tabling the resolution to award the contract, but did not receive the support of the other Council members.
He also indicated that he wanted to change some of the materials being used in the project. However, City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson told Levchuk that any significant change in the contract could cause it to be rebid.
Savastano cautioned about changing or delaying the contract.
“We’re on a pretty tight schedule because we want to get it done before April of next year,” Savastano said.
During the vote, Council President Terry Crowley Jr. said that a change order for the contract might possibly be considered later on to address Levchuk’s concerns.
The Boardwalk, Ocean City’s most popular man-made attraction, periodically needs reconstruction to keep it in good shape.
The shore’s whipping winds, salt water and beach sand take a toll on the Boardwalk’s wood decking and its support structure underneath.
The countless walkers, runners and bikers who traverse the boards each year inevitably add to the wear and tear.
