OCEAN CITY — A Thursday night City Council meeting has been moved from City Hall to the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall in the Ocean City Free Public Library at 1735 Simpson Ave.
Mayor Jay Gillian sent a notice of the change Thursday afternoon.
Council President Terry Crowley Jr. said the change was made for safety, and that a large crowd was expected. He said the fire marshal and fire chief were concerned.
Gillian said he talked with Crowley and they decided the move was the best option.
The city expects more comments on the future of the site of the former Wonderland amusement park at Sixth Street.
In August, as council was set to vote on whether to forward a question about whether the former Wonderland site should be reviewed by the Planning Board as a potential area in need of rehabilitation, interested residents overflowed the City Hall meeting room, spilling out into the hallway and clamoring for a spot in the packed room.
Upon investigation, Ocean City has decided not to move forward on a $12.6 million purchase of 801 Asbury Ave. as a new police station.
Council did not relocate that meeting, and proceeded as planned.
The library lecture hall is a larger room, and is routinely used for concerts, talks and local meetings.
There is nothing on the council agenda related to the Wonderland site for the Thursday meeting, but at the previous council meeting in September, Council member Pete Madden sought a new vote on the issue.
That vote was not on the agenda, and many opponents of a previous plan for a 252-room hotel at the Boardwalk site were incensed by the move, which was ultimately rejected by council members.
Bill Merritt, a vocal opponent of the development plans for the site, said local merchant organizations plan to have speakers at the council meeting. He said the opposition groups will have a response.
Contact Bill Barlow:
609-272-7290
bbarlow@pressofac.com
X @jerseynews_bill
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