An effort to redevelop a dormant Jersey Shore theme park that closed nearly one year ago saw a sudden resurgence of interest last week when the Ocean City council, for a second time, considered a resolution that designated the property as an area in need of rehabilitation.
Approving the resolution would have given its owner a second chance to demolish Wonderland Pier, on the Ocean City boardwalk near Sixth Street, and replace the partially shuttered amusement park, known for its sky-high ferris wheel, with a multi-story hotel.
However, the owner Eustice Mita now plans to sell the property for about $25 million after the city council in August first voted against the resolution, 6-1. The businessman has received two offers, including one from the Norcross family, he said.
The resolution was added to Thursday’s city council meeting, which drew a strong response during its public comment portion. After a lengthy debate, the council voted 5-1 to table the motion, leaving it unclear if the governing body would reconsider it.
Council Vice President Peter Madden, who was the proposal’s only supporter in August, sought a new vote on Thursday. Mita did not immediately return a request by NJ Advance Media for comment on the second vote.
Had the resolution passed, the city’s planning board would have examined whether the property met the criteria for a development designation. Afterward, a master plan would be formed, allowing the city council greater influence in determining suggested uses for the property.
Theme park attractions are one of the permitted uses at the property under local zoning laws, Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson said.
“If a new project is going to depart significantly from the permitted uses in zoning, this is one tool to help the city council and the governing body participate in shaping what that project will look like,” McCrosson said. The solicitor said the council isn’t obligated to endorse a single project.
A debate during the resolution’s hearing prompted responses from council members and the public. The council members recalled an earlier hearing in August, where the proposal garnered criticism and approval from residents and merchants. Mita appeared at the meeting, attempting to sell his vision again before the vote.
“I want more time on it,” said Councilman Keith Hartzel, whose ward includes the Wonderland property.
Councilman Sean Burns echoed his colleague, saying a second attempt at the resolution felt abrupt. He added that, as public servants, approving the proposal would go against the strong public opinion opposing a redevelopment zone.
“This room was full of people who were concerned about this process,” Burns said. “It’s critical we make the right decision right now. I’m not opposed to changing zoning if we look at it thoroughly.
Minutes after the local officials bantered about the resolution, several meeting attendees urged the council not to pass the resolution. Several felt blindsided by the matter being taken up again without further notice.
One of them, Bill Merritt, who leads the Friends of OCNJ History & Culture and has been a frequent critic of development, told the council that a change of mind from August would erode public trust.
Merritt is among advocates calling for the theme park to be preserved after it closed last October. The park was a family relic of Mayor Jay Gillian, who owned the park after it was founded by his father. Mita helped spare the property from closing earlier by purchasing it after about $8 million was owed on it.
“We had a miserable summer here; sides came out, people were angry,” Merritt said. “It’s all going to come back. This is the wrong process; this is a sneak attack.”