Council upholds Caroline St. beach equip. franchise award

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(Feb. 3, 2023) Ocean City officials may have set a new precedent for issuing beach equipment franchise licenses that are not bid before the proposal deadline.

But in the meantime, the de facto bidder for the contract at Caroline Street has been officially awarded the contract for the minimal required price.

At a work session Tuesday, City

Council members voted to solidify a previous approval that granted the contract for the downtown parcel to Drew Haugh. Haugh said he was interested in acquiring the contract after the formal bid process for the south end parcels closed in December. No bids were submitted for Caroline Street, and Haugh took over the contract for $500. Staff had initially recommended that the parcel be bid again now because another franchise operator ex-

STRAY FOX WATERFRONT LOT with a private boat pier offering stunning waterviews and access to well-kept community with oversized lots and low fees.Close to Ocean City, Assateague Island, Historic Berlin, and many more attractions! Ready for you to build the home you've always wanted!

Sinepuxent, and Chincoteague Bays!

A sign for Caroline Street is shown on the Boardwalk near the beach downtown. City Council members voted this week to solidify a previously approved equipment franchise agreement for the area to a bidder who took over the contract after the formal bid process ended in December.