JANUARY 22, 2026
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BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
Tyson parcel images show design ideas Developer Palmer Gillis seeks planning commission reaction before proceeding By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 22, 2026) An idea of how the redeveloped Tyson Food property on Old Ocean City Boulevard might look was shown to Berlin Planning Commission members last Wednesday in a preliminary step by the developers. Palmer Gillis of Coastal Ventures Properties (CVP), joined by his development team, appeared before the commission to get their reaction to his concept before he moves on to formal presentations. “I think this is an opportunity that
PHOTO COURTESY PAMELA GREEN
BERLIN AWARD The winner of this year’s Berlin Award was Charles Townsend, who has been a member of the Berlin Fire Company for 55 years. Townsend was celebrated at the annual Berlin Chamber of Commerce banquet and introduced by last year’s winner, Melissa Reid. Pictured, from left, are Reid, Townsend, Past President Garrett Neville, Carol Rose representing Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, and Berlin Council members Dean Burrell, Steve Green, Jack Orris and Jay Knerr.
OP budget shows higher fees Just proposal at this stage, but inflation, public safety drive increase in expenses By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 22, 2026) Ocean Pines Association officials outlined proposed membership fee increases at a Jan. 15 budget town hall meeting and said
much of the adjustment was due to rising utility costs and public safety expenses. Citing inflation and increases in county utility rates as major drivers in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, OPA Director of Finance Steve Phillips walked attendees through the membership dues portion of the recommended budget. He said total membership revenue
is projected at approximately $1.56 million, up from $1.438 million the previous year. “We did have some inflationary increases across the board,” Phillips said. Under the proposal, swim memberships would increase by 5%, while racquet sports fees would rise by $5 to $10 depending on the category. See OPA Page 10
“To put it in kind of blunt terms, ‘a hell yes, a hell no,’ or somewhere in between.’ — Palmer Gillis we would like to give commission members, early in the game, to provide comments,” Gillis said. “To put it in kind of blunt terms, ‘a hell yes, a hell no,’ or somewhere in between.” The roughly 9.35-acre site, known as parcel 57 at Heron Park, contains two remaining industrial buildings from the former Tyson Foods operation. Gillis said those buildings are structurally strong and would be reused rather than demolished, with renovations designed to reflect Berlin’s architectural character. Under the concept, the rear building would likely be converted into medical or healthcare-related offices, See REDEVELOPMENT Page 3
SAME GREAT OWNER, SAME AMAZING STAFF Serving the Community for over a Decade
GARDNER PT of Ocean Pines 11204 Racetrack Rd, Suite 101 • Ocean Pines, MD, 21811 410-208-1525
GARDNER PT of West Ocean City 12472 Sea Oaks Ln, Unit 1 • Berlin, MD 21811 410-747-3522