Ocean City Council set to vote on Wonderland Pier property again
The Boardwalk Merchants Association says four businesses have shuttered since the Gillian's Wonderland closure.
OCEAN CITY, N.J. (WPVI) -- Ocean City Council members will vote Thursday evening on the next step for the shuttered Gillian's Wonderland Pier.
That vote on whether or not to refer the former amusement park property to the city planning board for possible rezoning, which could pave the way for a proposed luxury hotel.
On Wednesday, the developer and several local business organizations put public pressure on City Council to vote yes to move forward with development.
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"If we get a vote tomorrow, it's still going to be a long haul," said developer Eustace Mita.
"If tomorrow's a no vote, that property sits the way it is right now for the next five to ten years," said Bill McGinnity with the Ocean City Restaurant Association.
The beloved amusement park closed in 2024. Mita has proposed building a 252-room luxury hotel, which would be called "Icona in Wonderland."
READ MORE | 'It's bittersweet': Hundreds say goodbye to Gillian's Wonderland Pier on its last day
While he has said he would preserve the Ferris wheel and carousel, the plan has been met with some resistance.
"I just can't imagine all the traffic. That's what I think of first. The amount of cars. Where are they going to park?" said Lisa Nunan of Ocean City.
"I would love to see rides and Gillian pier stay the way it is," said Lee O'Leary of Margate.
But the Boardwalk Merchants Association says four businesses have shuttered since the Gillian's Wonderland closure.
"If we don't have progress and direction on how we handle that block, there will be more," said Wes Kazmarck with the Ocean City Boardwalk Merchants Association.
City Council has tabled this issue before. A yes vote would allow the city to look at potential rezoning for a hotel or a residential project.
Mita says if Thursday's vote is no, he will likely sell, and he says he has offers.
"A yes vote tomorrow means one thing. It has nothing to do with the hotel. It's let not sit here and do nothing," said Mita.
Council members Jody Levchuk and Pete Madden said Wednesday they plan to vote yes.
Councilman Keith Hartzell says he plans to vote no, saying that with the city so divided, more info needs to be gathered and hopes to reach a compromise.
