Following a failed redevelopment zone vote on Thursday night, the owner of the closed Wonderland Pier on the Ocean City boardwalk revealed plans to sell the site, raising doubts about its future.
The Ocean City Council voted 6-1 against a resolution to declare the abandoned theme park a site in need of renovation following hours of passionate comments. The vote put an end to a brief hotel construction endeavor.
The owner of the property, Eustice Mita, who is in charge of the ICONA Resort firm, would have had a simpler road if the resolution had been approved. Mita declared plans to construct an eight-story hotel there last fall.
It was his second presentation for a hotel on the renowned boardwalk in the last five years. About two years ago, his initial bid, which focused on a plot of land next to Wonderland Pier, was rejected.
Both support and opposition have been expressed for the concept. Advocates have recognized the financial advantages of expanding hotel space. Their counterparts feel that a second amusement park is necessary in the area and have expressed concern that a hotel would inadvertently result in overdevelopment along the boardwalk.
Following the vote, Mita, who spoke during Thursday’s meeting and was occasionally interrupted by audience jeers and yelling, informed reporters that the council’s decision put a stop to his idea.
After the meeting, Mitat informed reporters, “It’s over.” In terms of ICONA, that will be the end of it. We will immediately put it up for sale.
A $25 million asking price was proposed by the businessman, according to The Press of Atlantic City.
NJ Advance Media was unable to get in touch with Mita for comment on Friday.
The Ocean City Planning Board would have been tasked with determining whether the theme park qualifies as a redevelopment zone if the resolution had been adopted by the city council. An outline of potential uses for the site may then have been created using a master plan.
Mita’s idea, ICONA at Wonderland, called for a resort-hotel that might cost up to $155 million and included features from the well-liked amusement park, such its Ferris wheel, which he planned to make functional.
He has maintained that Ocean City lacks hotel rooms. He has claimed that the community has not seen a new hotel for decades.
Mita opened parts of the theme park this summer despite itclosing last October, amid financial hardships, after about 94 years of operation. When a bankruptcy court sought to collect roughly $8 million in debt, the owner saved Wonderland from closing.
For Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian, the park was a family legacy.
The initiative attracted a sizable crowd and elicited strong reactions from locals. More than a dozen individuals explained to council members why they ought to give a hotel more serious thought, one by one.
Moments before hearing the first remarks, City Council President Terry Crowley called for the audience to be cordial amongst each other; however, shouting still erupted at points.
Council members discussed the plan in jest before deciding, realizing that the theme park’s destiny might have a significant effect on the community.
We need something down there, and since I adore that boardwalk, I believe Mr. Mita is the one to execute it. said Tony Polcini, a councilman.
Several of them proposed reexamining the city’s master plan during their discussion. Many proposed putting the redevelopment of the land up for a vote by the public.
“We need to look at the entire boardwalk to make sure that we’re doing what’s right for the city,” Crowley said, implying that more input is required going forward. “I think it’s a well-thought-out process.”
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