Irwin ‘semi-retiring’ after building up OCDC

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Public art is a big part of OCDC’s mission as well.

While the building improvements are focused on downtown from the inlet to 17th Street, the organization’s artistic contributions are everywhere.

Irwin said the group’s first project, the white marlin sculpture at the end of the Route 50 bridge on North Division Street, was completed in 2002, and everything else took off from there. Today, art can be found at the convention center on 40th Street, an eagle sculpture sits close to the edge of the Delaware line in north Ocean City, and a dolphin statue is on display near the Route 90 bridge.

“We say we’re downtown but public art kind of goes all over,” Irwin said. “We work closely with the Art League of Ocean City too.”

Under Irwin’s purview, OCDC has also helped develop and plan multiple small employee housing projects downtown, including a proposed multi-purpose building for the Ocean City Police Department that includes storage, housing and public space.

The organization is working as well on finding a solution to parking problems across the city, with a potential plan to implement a Fee In Lieu of Parking, or FILOP, program presented at a City Council work session this week.

And it was all under Irwin’s guidance and efforts, which colleagues and officials say will be difficult to follow.

“Everybody you talk to … the biggest thing they say is, ‘You’re not going to be able to replace him. He’s hard to replace,” Mann said.

Mayor Rick Meehan, who worked closely with Irwin during his tenure, said in an email that Irwin has been “a tremendous asset” to both OCDC and the town as a whole.

“As the first, and to-date, only executive director of OCDC, he helped to build that organization by building relationships and establishing credibility within the community,” Meehan said. “He has been an outstanding spokesperson for the organization and his greatest asset has been his ability to bring people together, find common ground and make decisions and recommendations that have improved the downtown area.”

Meehan added that Irwin goes “goes above and beyond” in his position.

“He has the respect of the [mayor and City Council] and the entire Ocean City community,” Meehan said. “On top of all of that he is just a great guy.”

County Commissioner Joe Mitrecic, who also sat on the original OCDC board, said last week that he met Irwin his first night in Ocean City back in 2000.

“I think I remember him saying he was only going to be here for a couple of years … four years, and he’d only guarantee us four years and here he is, so many years later,” Mitrecic said. “He’s still active and still doing a great job and I just want to thank you personally for the Town of Ocean City and for the county for what you’ve done and how you’ve served and helped redevelop Ocean City and make it a better place. And you can always put that in your hat that you made Ocean City a better place.”

Gibbs had similar comments about Irwin’s work, which he has witnessed not only as president of the board but as a resident.

“You ride your bike or go into the town … you look a little bit and you realize the environment of the town you’re in and it’s because of this guy behind the scenes,” Gibbs said of Irwin. “We’re going to miss him.”

Irwin contended that OCDC has its “fingerprints on everything downtown,” whether it’s obvious or not.

“Anything happening downtown, including the Boardwalk, we’re involved,” he said.

And although Irwin is hanging up the hat he has worn for nearly 23 years on March 31, he is not going far.

“I live in Ocean City. I’m semi-retiring, only because if I don’t work doing something I’ll go crazy … I’ll find something, volunteer work, maybe work part-time somewhere,” Irwin said of his plans. “If I continue to work at OCDC on a part-time basis is to be determined. But I won’t be working full time.”

Gibbs also said he expects Irwin to have some kind of hand in the community after he leaves OCDC, because “you can’t take Ocean City out of his blood.”

Irwin said a new director has been chosen from another part of the region, but he did not name the individual because the details of the contract are not yet finalized. Irwin expects the new person to come on board while he’s still working so he can help with the transition.

Irwin added that OCDC has been “a great place to work” and he believes he is leaving the organization in a good place that will be easy for the new director to pick up and run with.

“I think leaving the OCDC, I think it’s in a very good position.” Irwin said. “The ultimate strength of leadership with the board, our relationship with the city and county, and financially we’re pretty good too, I think.”