October 25, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 11 . . Construction Project Begins Amid Petition Threat FROM PAGE 10 2014.” Noccolino said many of the convention center’s existing groups have inquired about utilizing the new auditorium and performing arts center in conjunction with their annual conventions and events. To name a few, the Cheer and Dance groups, Trinity Motivation, Market America, the Maryland State Firefighters Convention, the Seaside Boat Show, Star Power and the Cruisin’ events have all shown interest in booking the space. “All of these groups could really expand their events,” he said. “The possibilities are endless.” This week, crews began demolition work in the old sections of Hall C on the ground floor of the Convention Center and already a demising wall is going up on the second floor in what used to be part of Halls A and B. When complete, the floor-to-ceiling demising wall will separate the relatively new bay-front ballroom on the second floor from the construction work going on in the performing arts center. The intent is to allow crews to continually work on the massive project without and disruption to the regular day in, day out uses of the convention center and the already booked guests. “The demising wall will separate the construction areas from the existing exhibit spaces including the bay-front ballroom,” said Noccolino this week. “That’s the biggest first step. The construction plan is designed in such a way as to not interfere with any of the groups we’ve already booked for the Convention Center throughout this process.” Noccolino said he and his staff will meet each Monday with the builders, Whiting-Turner out of Baltimore, to carefully plan how to schedule work around the existing groups using the convention center. Phase I of the major convention center expansion, including the bayfront ballroom and its floor-to-ceiling windows, was completed last year. Phase II, including the 1,200-seat performing arts center complete with 800 fixed seats in two tiers and 400 more movable orchestra seats, dressing rooms, concession areas and a box office, will cost $14 million and is being funded in part by the state through the Maryland Stadium Authority at $5.7 million. The town of Ocean City is funding the remaining $8.3 million, which will be covered by a 2013 bond issue. With the funding in place and the construction starting this week, Noccolino foresees no obstacles for the project. However, a local citizens group launched a petition drive this week that if successful could stall the project. The group is looking to halt an ordinance that funds through a bond $12.4 million in capital improvements, including the performing arts center, $8.3 million; beach patrol headquarters, $2 million; effluent disinfection system, $1.3 million; new public safety building room, $630,000; and new service center building roof, $240,000. With petitioners reportedly beginning outreach efforts and a Nov. 20 deadline set to garner the required signatures to place the issue on the ballot, the city and the builder are moving ahead. Given the contractor’s track record on Phase I, which was targeted for an Oct. 10, 2012, completion date and finished precisely on Oct. 10 save for a few punch-list items, the November 2014 target date appears obtainable. “Everything is on schedule and on target,” he said. “The funding is in place and there should be no problems with the construction schedule. The one thing we don’t have to worry about this time is the weather. All of the work will be done indoors.” Salisbury 701 East Naylor Mill Road 410-677-0350 Do You Need A New Dentist? Choose one of Delmarva s most credentialed and experienced dentists! Voted Best Dentist & Best Orthodontic Practice • • • • Fellow, Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) Master, Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD) International Lecturer on Advanced Dental Techniques Former Clinical Dental Professor • Over Twenty Years Experience • State-of-the-Art Modern Facility • Less Than 2% Of Dentists Are Awarded A Masters Designation Providing everything in adult and children’s dentistry including sedation dentistry for the fearful, cosmetic dentistry, veneers, implants, oral surgery, root canals, periodontics, traditional orthodontics, Invisalign and Invisalign Teen.