Planner Hired For Wonderland Property In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City Council members voted to hire an independent planner to provide expertise regarding the future of the 600 Boardwalk site, also known as the former Wonderland property.

The vote to hire Jennifer Heller of Polistina and Associates LLC was unanimous.

The decision follows a Feb. 19 meeting where the resolution was initially tabled to allow for further due diligence regarding the project scope and costs. Read more: Ocean City Council Tables Planner Contract For Wonderland Evaluation

The professional services contract is capped at $15,000, with a timeline of approximately 45 days for the planner to deliver areas of focus to the city. The planner will assist the city council and a subcommittee in evaluating potential development approaches and master plan considerations.

The planner will not make official recommendations regarding rehabilitation or redevelopment but will provide data-driven planning considerations to guide the council. Council members noted the importance of ensuring the city is procedurally compliant to avoid potential issues in court.

Council members explained that while competitive bidding is appropriate for standard goods, professional services contracts often require specific, unique experience that is not easily evaluated through a standard bid process. Officials cited state statutes as the mechanism for selecting professional services in this context.

During the meeting, officials addressed community concerns regarding the site, confirming that any future development will be expected to pay standard taxes.

Council President Terry Crowley Jr. said that a payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, agreement is not being considered for the property. He emphasized that the goal is to ensure the city makes well-informed decisions for the site.

The planner will work alongside a subcommittee that is currently preparing recommendations for the vision of the boardwalk area. The subcommittee is also tracking toward a report deadline in early May, aligning with the planner's 45-day window for evaluation.

Council members expressed that this expert resource will help provide the data necessary to formulate a long-term strategy for the property.

The final report generated by the planner will be made available to the public upon completion.