OCEAN CITY – A number of local groups have coalesced to give added visibility to their opposition to a proposed hotel resort on the site of the now closed Wonderland amusement park at Sixth Street and the boardwalk.
Calling the plan “The Big Mistake” on social media, the coalition argues that the project would “permanently change what makes Ocean City special.”
Among the groups that have launched “The Big Mistake” campaign are Ocean City 2050, Save Wonderland, Plaza Place, Friends of OCNJ History and Culture, and Citizens of Glen Cove.
News of late seemed to favor the development of an ICONA resort complex at the site. Business groups, most recently the Chamber of Commerce, have expressed support for the proposal, some with conditions.
Eustace Mita, ICONA’s chief executive officer, has been pitching his plan for a $150 million resort hotel complex since 2022, first in Cape May and then in Ocean City. The closing of the amusement pier gave new life to his proposal since Mita owns the land the pier operated on.
He still needs significant support from the city on zoning issues, including his desire to have the area designated as in need of redevelopment.
Mita plans a meeting with the City Council in July to present his proposal and ask the city to support it.
But a website, the bigmistake, urges residents opposed to the plan to get involved, saying, “We still have time to stop it, and together, we can protect Ocean City’s boardwalk.” The opposition groups argue that community-centered options exist for use of the Wonderland site, options that “can enhance our economy and keep N.J.’s Ocean City family-friendly – without sacrificing the unique character that has made our town a beloved destination for generations.”
Mita maintains that Ocean City is in need of hotel rooms and that they would boost the economy along the boardwalk. He says that few other developers would consider such an investment in Ocean City, and that it will take a decade for the project to make a profit.
Even if he is successful in his meeting with the City Council, his proposal will need Planning Board review and certain state approvals.
Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
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