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Thursday, August 10, 2017

Ocean City Wins Court Case Over Boardwalk Building


OCEAN CITY — An historic Ocean City property near the Inlet could soon be coming down after a Worcester County Circuit Court judge last month opined it was encroaching on the town’s property on the east side of the Boardwalk.

The iconic building on the east side of the Boardwalk at South Division Street has been home to different businesses and enterprises since at least 1910 and for the last several decades has been home to a Dumser’s Dairyland ice cream parlor. It is one of just a couple of buildings that sit on the east side of the Boardwalk.

The ownership of the land on which the historic building sits was called into question last year after a 50-year agreement reached between the heirs of the original owner, Nathan Rapoport, and the town of Ocean City in 1966 expired. The building is owned by Nathans Associates, which includes the heirs of Nathan Rapoport, and has been leased to Dumsers for several decades.

In 1966, Nathans reached an agreement with the town to tear down the existing structure and erect a new larger building with a commercial interest, now Dumsers, on the Boardwalk level with living quarters above on a second level. When the 1966 agreement expired last year, the Town of Ocean City asserted its ownership rights of the property and requested Nathans Associates vacate the premises. Nathans Associates then filed suit in Worcester County Circuit Court asserting the Town of Ocean City had essentially abandoned its ownership of the parcel by allowing the structure on the site for over a century.

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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice story Shawn (Dispatch) but its missing one thing...OC wants to expand east on the south end of the inlet - HENCE the true reason for your story. Not that Nathans went to court and lost.

Come on, the way you make it sound is that the little guy (50 years having that place AND an agreement with the City to pay their fair share) is the one losing out here. FIFTY years....

City FAIL could accommodate the client, but fat chance that'll happen!

Anonymous said...

Small company loses against government...no surprise there.

Anonymous said...

More good old boy politics going on ,
Just like the CAFO story in da Bury
Same stuff different place on the shore

Anonymous said...

Don't touch Dumser's!

Anonymous said...

Get it designated as a historical building

Anonymous said...

Don't you touch my Dumser's! Best landmark in OC, and yes, make it Historic forever!

Anonymous said...

It qualifies! https://mht.maryland.gov/research_designation.shtml

Anonymous said...

Why does the Historic Society get involved? That structure is OC. OC bullies want it for themselves or one of the good ole boys. Pathetic. Another reason I do not go near OC. All about money.

Anonymous said...

They should put a jail there for all the thugs.

Anonymous said...

I don't see where it's been in anyone's way after all these years. Sorta a landmark now.