Ocean City Moves Forward With Redevelopment Of Wonderland Site

OCEAN CITY, NJ — A major step has been taken as Ocean City Council voted 5-2 to name the Wonderland property an area in need of rehabilitation.

This vote does not mean that construction on Eustace Mita's proposed ICONA in Wonderland will immediately begin, nor does it approve that project. Instead, it streamlines the zoning process.

The property meets the criteria to earn that designation, according to a report from professional planner Jennifer L. Heller of Polistina and Associates.

Heller was hired by City Council earlier this year to examine the property, also known as 600 Boardwalk.

Many who spoke at the nearly 3-hour meeting called for a delay on the vote, partially because the makeup of the council will change July 1 during their reorganization meeting.

"A decision of this significance and magnitude should not be made just six days before a newly elected city council is seated," said Jim Kelly, who is set to be sworn in to City Council July 1.

Boardwalk business owners have been in support of the hotel, saying it will revitalize the Boardwalk.

Councilmen Keith Hartzell and Sean Barnes were the two "no" votes, seeking more time for consideration.

But the resolution ultimately passed.

"The reason we're all in here is we want a state-of-the-art product at the end of the at the north end of the Boardwalk," said Council President Terry Crowley Jr.

Mita will still need more approvals and planning before the proposed luxury hotel can be built.