Funtown Pier Owner Seeks Approval For Bigger Rides In Seaside Park

(Before Hurricane Sandy and a fire destroyed Funtown Pier, the tallest ride Bill Major had was the Tower of Fear, which he placed in Seaside Heights when Seaside Park turned him down. He says he needs bigger thrill rides to make rebuilding economically viable. 2010 photo of Funtown Pier, viewed from the south. Credit: Karen Wall)

The owner of Funtown Pier in Seaside Park is asking the borough’s Planning Board to grant him approval for taller amusement rides, which he says he needs to be able to rebuild the pier, according to an Asbury Park Press report.

Bill Major, the pier owner, presented preliminary plans at an informal presentation during the Planning Board meeting Tuesday night. Major, who said he has been part of the boardwalk since 1980, said it will cost $20 million to rebuild.

The pier, which had more than 30 rides before Superstorm Sandy struck in October 2012, lost several rides in the storm. The remainder -- along with the pier -- were destroyed in the September 2013 blaze that claimed eight blocks of boardwalk and dozens of businesses.

Stephan R. Leone, Major’s lawyer, said the business is seeking planners’ support of a proposed ordinance that would allow Funtown Amusements to install six to 10 thrill rides between 200 and 300 feet high on the rebuilt pier, according to the Asbury Park Press. Among the new rides mentioned were a zip line with two towers that would allow riders to view the rides and the ocean, a Sky Coaster that is 195 feet tall, and other high rides like the Space Shot and Turbo Force, in addition to 25 kiddie rides.

Seaside Park has an ordinance that limits the height of rides to 50 feet, planning board member Charles Appleby told the Press. And the borough rejected a request years ago by Major to install the Tower of Fear; he instead leased boardwalk space in Seaside Heights to install the ride, the report said.

Some residents are against the proposal, saying they don’t favor being bombarded by the sounds of screaming riders and loud rides. Business owners say they need the influx of families that the amusement pier draws.

“We are a resort town. We all bought in a resort town,” said Cheryl Raley, the owner of the Charlroy Motel, whose grandfather built the motel in 1948. “I need those rides for visitors.”

Resident Pat DeGutis said she prefers to hear the birds in her yard to the screams of riders. “And the Himalaya ride operator liked to turn the volume of the music up as high as it could go,” she said.

The planning board is expected to schedule another session to listen to residents who want to weigh in on the boardwalk amusement pier plans, before it makes a recommendation to the Borough Council.