Overview: What Ocean City is proposing

Ocean City is advancing a plan to acquire the landmark Crown Bank Building at 801 Asbury Avenue and convert the upper floors into a new police headquarters. The City Council introduced a $12.6 million bond ordinance on first reading on September 25, signaling a pivot away from renovating the existing public safety building. Officials said the purchase could close by November 15, a date tied to avoiding an estimated $400,000 state realty transfer tax. Primary keyword: Ocean City police headquarters.

Local businesses on the ground floor—known collectively as the Shoppes at Asbury—have raised concerns about disruption and potential displacement. One shop owner described the stakes plainly: she could be left with “substantial inventory, with no place to sell it.” City representatives indicated they want to preserve retail at street level even if the department relocates upstairs. A final vote with public hearing is scheduled for October 9.

Why this building and why now

The Crown Bank Building sits in the heart of the central business district on Asbury Avenue, just a few blocks from 8th Street and the boardwalk corridor. Its location places officers closer to downtown activity while keeping quick access to arterial routes like 9th Street and West Avenue. From a facilities standpoint, adapting an existing downtown property may deliver a faster timeline than ground-up construction, especially if core structural systems meet public safety requirements.

The first-reading approval signals political momentum behind the plan. It also gives the city a defined timeframe: moving to close before mid-November keeps transaction costs lower, which matters for long-term budgeting.

What the ordinance covers (and what it doesn’t)

Bond ordinances authorize borrowing for capital projects; they do not finalize architectural designs or floor plans. Residents should expect additional steps—space programming, design, permitting, and build-out—to follow if the purchase is approved on second reading. Questions like public parking impacts, construction phasing, and ground-floor lease terms would be addressed during those later phases.

• Address: 801 Asbury Avenue (Crown Bank Building)

• Amount authorized on first reading: $12.6 million

• Process milestone: First reading completed September 25

• Next milestone: Final vote and public hearing on October 9

• Targeted closing: On or before November 15 (to avoid a state tax hit)
  

Local voice

“Substantial inventory, with no place to sell it.” — Ground-floor shop owner, public comment cited in local reporting

According to the City Solicitor, the city’s intent is to retain retail on the ground floor while repurposing the upper levels for the police department.

What this could mean for downtown businesses

Any construction downtown brings temporary inconvenience, but the city’s stated goal of keeping storefronts active matters for merchants along Asbury Avenue and nearby cross streets like 8th Street. If the plan proceeds, look for a phasing approach that sequences interior work to minimize street-level disruption and preserves foot traffic during peak seasons.

Real estate perspective: public facilities and property values

Public-safety investments can stabilize service delivery and, over time, reinforce buyer confidence—especially for second-homeowners who want predictable response times and a strong downtown presence. That said, near-term retail tenancy and construction logistics will be the practical focus for neighbors on Asbury and adjacent blocks.

As a local agent, I’ve seen downtown improvements—when managed with merchants in mind—help keep the core lively outside peak months. For Ocean City homeowners, a modernized police HQ in the business district can be a long-run quality-of-life signal.

“We’re seeing sustained demand for Margate bayfronts, especially among buyers who want both views and rental potential,” said Mike Sutley, Team Leader at Lexy Realty Group. (Evergreen positioning on demand dynamics, included here as a comparable market signal for shore-town buyer behavior.)

How the next steps typically unfold

If council approves the purchase on October 9, expect a due diligence period (title, environmental review, structural and systems assessment). Design decisions—such as secure access, holding areas, evidence storage, and traffic flow within the building—come next. Given the location near 8th Street and Asbury, any exterior changes would likely be designed to maintain the corridor’s pedestrian-friendly character.

Micro-FAQ

• Will ground-floor stores close? City representatives have said they want to retain retail at street level. Lease specifics would come later in the process.

• When would construction start? Timing depends on closing, design, and permitting. Residents should expect more detail after the October 9 vote.

• Where is the building exactly? 801 Asbury Avenue, a few blocks inland from the boardwalk near the 9th Street Bridge corridor.
  
  

Sources: City of Ocean City; Ocean City Patch.