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Iconic Ocean City Building Could Become New Police HQ, Mayor Says

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Iconic Ocean City Landmark Could Become New Police Headquarters, Mayor Says

The historic heart of Ocean City’s Boardwalk may soon take on a fresh, civic purpose, according to Mayor Jeff Schmid. In a recent press briefing, the mayor announced that the city is seriously considering converting a long‑vacant, iconic building into a modern police headquarters—a move that could both preserve a beloved piece of the city’s architectural heritage and address the growing needs of Ocean City’s law‑enforcement department.

The Building in Question

The building at the center of the discussion sits on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and West Avenue, a prime location that has long been a focal point of Ocean City’s tourism and community life. Constructed in 1926, the two‑story brick structure originally served as the Ocean City Library. Over the decades it housed a number of different civic functions, including a post office and a small community center, before being abandoned in 2010.

Its classic colonial‑style façade, complete with tall windows and a gently sloping roof, has earned it the nickname “the Old City Hall” among longtime residents. The building is also one of the few remaining structures that predates the post‑war expansion of the Boardwalk, making it a prized relic of the city’s early 20th‑century development.

Why a Police HQ Makes Sense

Mayor Schmid explained that the Ocean City Police Department has outgrown its current facilities. The existing police station on Atlantic Avenue, while still functional, lacks the technological infrastructure and space needed to support the department’s expanding responsibilities. The department’s Chief, Lisa Ramirez, has identified several key requirements for a new headquarters: advanced digital evidence storage, an expanded community outreach office, and a dedicated cyber‑crime unit that would require dedicated server space.

The old library building, with its wide, open rooms and sturdy construction, is an ideal candidate. Its location offers easy access to downtown businesses, the Boardwalk, and the Atlantic Ocean—critical points for rapid deployment during emergencies. Moreover, the city’s recent downtown revitalization plan includes plans for a new police station on Atlantic Avenue, but that building is slated for demolition to make way for mixed‑use development. Repurposing the library building could save the city several million dollars in construction costs, while still achieving the modern facilities the police department needs.

Preserving History While Modernizing

The mayor’s proposal emphasizes the importance of preserving Ocean City’s historic fabric. “We want to keep our Boardwalk’s character, but we also need to adapt to the 21st‑century reality of policing,” Schmid said. “This building is a national landmark and a symbol of our community’s resilience. Giving it new life as a police headquarters honors that legacy while moving us forward.”

The plan would include a façade‑restoration project, led by the Ocean City Historic Preservation Committee, to maintain the building’s original brickwork and ornamental stone detailing. The interior would be renovated in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the latest fire‑safety regulations. A dedicated community outreach wing would provide a welcoming space for residents to meet with officers, fostering transparency and trust.

Community Input and Timeline

Mayor Schmid acknowledged that any significant change to a historic building requires public input. “We’re opening the floor to the community,” he told reporters. “We want residents, business owners, historians, and law‑enforcement officials to weigh in on how best to utilize this space.”

The city council will hold a public hearing on October 12, after which a feasibility study will be commissioned. The study, led by the city’s planning and zoning department, will examine the structural integrity of the building, estimate renovation costs, and explore potential funding sources, including state historic‑preservation grants and public‑private partnerships. If the study concludes the project is viable, the city could begin the renovation process in early 2025, with the police department moving into the new headquarters by the fall of 2026.

Wider Implications for Ocean City

Beyond the practical benefits of a new police headquarters, the project could have ripple effects across Ocean City’s downtown revitalization. The repurposed building would create jobs in construction, maintenance, and law‑enforcement support. It could also serve as a catalyst for other historic‑building preservation efforts, encouraging developers to incorporate adaptive reuse into their projects.

The mayor also noted that the city is exploring additional measures to improve public safety, such as installing more surveillance cameras along the Boardwalk, enhancing community policing initiatives, and investing in cyber‑security training for officers. “This is just one piece of a larger strategy to keep our community safe and thriving,” Schmid said.

Next Steps

The Ocean City Police Department has expressed enthusiasm for the proposal, stating that a modern, well‑equipped headquarters would enhance the department’s operational efficiency and public engagement. Meanwhile, the city’s historic preservation advocates are eager to see the project bring a new chapter to a beloved landmark.

As the city moves forward, residents can expect a series of meetings and updates throughout the fall. Whether the old library building will ultimately become the new police headquarters remains to be seen, but the mayor’s vision signals a thoughtful balance between preserving Ocean City’s past and building for its future.


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[ https://patch.com/new-jersey/oceancity/iconic-ocean-city-building-could-become-new-police-hq-mayor-says ]