‘Walk Block Wins 5-1 Nod to Revamp

NORTH WILDWOOD — City Council voted 5-1 to designate that Block 291, the site between 22nd and 23rd avenues, be considered an area of redevelopment.
Councilmember Joseph Duncan cast the lone dissenting vote at the Aug. 21 meeting.
Getting council’s approval was another step in the necessary direction for WB Resorts Development LLC, the conditional redeveloper of adjacent Seaport Pier.
The developer has planned for the area, which includes the adjacent Seaport Pier, an indoor waterpark and the west side lot into a 16-story high-rise hotel.
Similar to the Seaport Pier, in order to qualify for redevelopment status, the block had to meet one of eight criteria set by the state.
Since the beachfront lot qualifies under the criteria, the city will now draft a development plan and formally name the developer. Council will be able to negotiate the final plan, which includes both the hotel and the waterpark.
City officials estimate that the final agreement wouldn’t be completed until sometime in 2008.
With its battered roof and wall and water damaged empty retail shops, Seaport Pier easily met seven of the eight criteria, set by the state that is needed for redevelopment authorization, in December 2005.
However, the designation did not seem so clear cut for the beachfront site, which includes Sorrento’s Pizza VI, Ed’s Funcade, an unfinished condominium complex and the King’s Inn Motel.
Duncan argued that he didn’t think a high-rise building on the beachfront and noted that the height disregards the needs of the residents living near the property.
The indoor waterpark and hotel is expected to cost the developer approximately $175 million. In addition to the 187-foot hotel and glass encased water park, the year-round pirate-themed entertainment, tentatively named “Captain Andy’s Indoor Waterpark Resort,” consists of a six story parking garage with 600 parking spots for guests and three restaurants with views of the beach and boardwalk.
The entrance for vehicles would be within the footprint of the building, according to the plans, to decrease traffic buildup on the street.
The water park and the hotel will be connected by an enclosed skyway above the Boardwalk, according to the developer’s proposal.
Attorney M. James Maley, representing WB Resorts, deemed the plan “Disney-esque.” He added that the goal would be to entice both business people and families.
The water park would be open to hotel guests first and then to the general public based on availability and the park’s capacity.
Maley estimated that the project would bring not only construction jobs, but would also bring 300 to 400 year-round job opportunities to the area.
WB Resorts Development, was formed in 2006 in Delaware by Andrew Weiner, managing partner of Splash Zone Waterpark and partner of Gateway 26; Brian Baratz, founding partner in the accounting firm Baratz & Associates; and Baratz’ son Daniel, director of operations and marketing at Splash Zone.