OCEAN CITY, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Business leaders in Ocean City, New Jersey have asked City Council to approve redevelopment at the former Wonderland Pier site, but community members have been outspoken in their opposition to a hotel going there.
Members of the Boardwalk Merchants Association, Restaurant Association, and the Chamber of Commerce came together to make their case at a Wednesday press conference, ahead of a Thursday council vote. They said the site is currently only permitted as an amusement park, but the amusement park is long gone.
“There have been four stores that closed already so we weren’t quick enough for them,” said one official. “If we don’t have progress and direction about how we handle that block, there will be more.”
Site owner Eustice Mita, who wants to build a 250 room hotel there, is asking council to approve the resolution.
“Let’s not sit here and do nothing. Let’s get this site into redevelopment, rehabilitation, so that we can move forward,” he said.
“Redevelopment allows the city to control the site, not the developer. That’s why, I think, we’re all sitting up here confounded as to why isn’t it a unanimous vote.”
Redevelopment has become a thorny local issue. The council meeting was moved to a larger venue as a bigger than usual crowd is expected. Those opposed to building a hotel there have said it won’t fit in with the family-friendly neighborhood.
According to business leaders, the vote isn’t even about the hotel. They just want Council to deem the site in need of redevelopment so that things can start to happen there, whatever they may be. Townhomes were also proposed by different groups of potential owners.