WILDWOOD – A Pacific Avenue building got new signs and windows recently, but it’s still not ready to be opened for those looking for a walk down boardwalk lane.
The former Woolworth building’s new signs call out its name, “Randyland,” after its owner who continues to dream of opening an arcade museum or fun house.
Randy Senna, 56, who bought the building in the late 1990s, dreams of “recreating the lights, smells and experiences of the boardwalk” which he remembers from his childhood.
He’s been collecting boardwalk memorabilia from all over the state for 40 years, but so far, has only been able to store the items in the Pacific Avenue building because of various zoning issues.
“People look through the windows and see all the artifacts,” he said, “and wonder why we’re not open. I’m not against zoning laws if they make sense, but when the city selectively decides what type of business it likes or doesn’t, and selectively enforces the laws, and then there is a problem.”
Senna has had a long, contentious relationship with the City of Wildwood. He explained some lawsuits he filed over the years as part of his effort to open the building, along with claims of harassment and retaliation he suffered. He believes he is often portrayed as the “bad guy” when all he wants to do is “promote tourism to the downtown Wildwood area.”
Citing requirements under the city’s zoning ordinances, the building is located in a tourist-entertainment zone; Senna said that if the business is classified as a “museum, a sprinkler system is required. If the business is classified under amusements and is considered an arcade, then a sprinkler system is not required.
“Why can’t the city say it’s a non-conforming use of the property and not required?” he asked. “They (zoning regulations) are guidelines, not etched in stone. A sprinkler system would cost over $100,000, and if it ever went off, it would ruin everything.”
Novelty, tourist, specialty and seashore-related retail activities, cultural or popular museums and active or passive recreation facilities are allowed in the tourist-entertainment zones, according to the city’s zoning ordinances posted online.
City’s View
Repeated efforts to reach the city’s Planning/Zoning Officer were unsuccessful.
According to Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr., the city “Would be more than happy for the building to operate as a museum. I think the idea of a museum with all those great boardwalk games would be a huge draw for the city. I’d be the first one in line, in fact.
“But we have rules that we must follow from the state and Construction Office,” he continued. “I’d love to be able to bend the rules, but we can’t. That building was built in 1949 or 1950, and the electrical wiring is old, for example.
“To be able to support all the electronics of the gadgetry, that system has to be upgraded. Installation of things like the sprinkler system or a fire suppression system is expensive, and that’s the issue. To open up that building would take a lot of money.”
Unacceptable Alternatives
Senna, who claims he lives “like a church mouse,” said he purchased much of the equipment “when someone was going out of business, so the equipment was not as valuable at the time. Or I got equipment in lieu of being paid. Over the years, I’ve been an arcade mechanic fixing machines for income as well.
“If I were a good business manager, I’d take all the items, sell them and retire,” he said.
He owns a retro-arcade on the Boardwalk. “Things could end that way, but I don’t want to see that happen. This is a way to preserve those old-time memories for me and thousands of other people. I’d love to be able to re-create that experience for people today.”
Downtown Wildwood
John Donio, president of the Pacific Avenue Downtown Special Improvement District, congratulated Senna recently on Facebook, saying “On behalf of downtown Wildwood, we appreciate your work on beautifying your incredible building.”
Donio, who is president of the Daytona Motor Inn, said he’s spoken with Senna over the years about his dream. “It seems like Randyland is something near and dear to his heart,” Donio said. “It’s a chance for him to leave his legacy on the city.
“Anything like this would be a great thing for the downtown district,” he added, “but I’m told there are a number of safety issues with the building. There may be some funding available to help; I’m happy to help Randy in general.”
Donio believes the idea of an “amusement, arcade or museum absolutely fits in with the rich history of Wildwood. I don’t see the revitalization of downtown without an arts component, and this would be a perfect fit,” he noted. “I was thrilled to see the work done on the facade, and understand Randy paid for that himself.”
Not the Enemy
“I’m not Public Enemy Number One,” Senna noted. “I would love to be able to open my building and improve the area. I’m trying to do something good for the city by having a retro-arcade, which would bring in family-oriented clientele. How many more empty buildings do we need? Randyland could look as nice inside as it does from the outside.
“I’d love to be able to open my building and improve the area,” he added, “but right now, I can’t.”
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.
