OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City Council is set to vote on the hiring of an attorney for matters regarding the redevelopment of the former Gillian's Wonderland Pier property at their Sept. 10 meeting.
On the agenda for Thursday's meeting is a resolution to award M. James Maley Jr. a contract to serve as special legal counsel for Wonderland's redevelopment.
Maley's firm, Maley Givens, has served as Special Redevelopment Counsel to two different counties and multiple municipalities, according to the agenda packet.
He will be paid $245 an hour, according to the agenda packet.
His hiring comes shortly after a lawsuit was filed against Ocean City, challenging the redevelopment designation of the former Wonderland property.
The lawsuit, filed by Plaza Place Civic Association, Beach Watch Motel Condominium Association, Ocean City 2050 and Fairness in Taxes, argues that the decision to name Wonderland an area in need of rehabilitation was tainted due to multiple conflicts of interest and did not satisfy the legal requirements.
READ MORE: Groups Sue Ocean City Over Wonderland Redevelopment Designation
The property was officially named an area in need of rehabilitation on June 25.
That designation was sought as local developer Eustace Mita hopes to build a 252-room luxury hotel on the property called ICONA in Wonderland.
City Council last month voted to delay adopting a report that outlines the next steps of redeveloping the Boardwalk, including Wonderland. Read more: Boardwalk Redevelopment Report Delayed By Ocean City Council
Thursday's agenda shows that report will be up for adoption again.
The meeting is set for 6 p.m. Sept. 10 in Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall located at 861 Asbury Ave.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Ocean City Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.