> At a Glance
> – Ocean City planners will vote Jan. 7 on whether the closed Wonderland Pier site needs rehabilitation
> – The decision could unlock a 252-room hotel proposal for the boardwalk location
> – The site has been zoned only for amusement park use since 1929
> – Why it matters: The outcome will shape the future of Ocean City’s boardwalk and set precedent for redevelopment
Ocean City’s planning board meets Wednesday night to decide whether the shuttered Gillian’s Wonderland Pier-a boardwalk fixture since 1929-can be redeveloped into something entirely different.
The Proposal
Developer Eustace Mita, whose ICONA Resorts operates upscale hotels in Avalon, Cape May and Diamond Beach, wants to build a 252-room hotel on the site. The pier closed Oct. 13, 2024, after owner Jay Gillian said the 94-year family business was “no longer good business.”
The property is currently zoned exclusively for amusement park use. Mita told News Of Philadelphia:
> “It’s literally zoned one thing: Amusement park, which is never going to happen.”
What’s at Stake
The planning board must first determine if the site qualifies as “an area in need of rehabilitation.” This designation would allow zoning changes necessary for the hotel project.
Wes Kazmarck, president of the Ocean City Boardwalk Merchants Association, calls Wednesday’s vote:
> “A make-or-break decision for the defunct Wonderland Pier that could ultimately have broader impacts on the future of the boardwalk.”
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1929 | Gillian’s Wonderland Pier opens |
| Oct. 13, 2024 | Pier closes after 95 years |
| Jan. 7, 2025 | Planning board votes on rehabilitation status |
Key Takeaways
- The Jan. 7 vote determines if the site can be rezoned from amusement-only use
- A 252-room hotel proposal hinges on the rehabilitation designation
- The decision affects the entire boardwalk’s future development pattern
- ICONA Resorts already operates multiple luxury properties in the region
Wednesday’s vote represents a pivotal moment for Ocean City’s most famous attraction and could reshape the boardwalk’s economic landscape for decades.
