At its Thursday night meeting, Ocean City Council voted 5-2 to designate the former Gillian’s Wonderland Pier site as an area in need of rehabilitation, advancing the redevelopment process for the long-vacant Boardwalk property.
The designation allows city officials to begin preparing a formal redevelopment plan for the property, which has remained empty since the amusement park closed in October 2024 after nearly a century in operation.
The vote followed more than an hour of public comment from residents and business owners with differing views on the property’s future.
Before taking final action, council rejected a motion by Councilmen Sean Barnes and Keith Hartzell to delay the vote until after the newly elected council is sworn in July 1. Barnes and Hartzell, who said the incoming council should have an opportunity to weigh in, cast the only votes against the designation.
Council President Terry Crowley Jr., Vice President Pete Madden and Councilmen Dave Winslow, Jody Levchuk and Tony Polcini supported the measure, saying it gives the city greater oversight of future redevelopment and follows recommendations from the Boardwalk Subcommittee, which envisioned an upscale hotel that would fit the surrounding neighborhood.
Property owner Eustace Mita has proposed replacing the former amusement park with a 252-room luxury hotel that would incorporate amusement-themed elements into the design, a proposal that has sparked debate in the community.
Although Thursday’s action advances the redevelopment process and could ultimately allow the proposal to move forward, it does not approve construction of the hotel or any other specific project.
Before redevelopment can move forward, the city must complete a formal redevelopment plan, consider any necessary zoning changes and approve future applications.
