Coalition Urges: No High-Rises, Comprehensive Boardwalk Review, and Negotiation — Not Capitulation
The grassroots Big Mistake coalition opposing the proposed high-rise on the Ocean City Boardwalk is calling on City Council to honor its longstanding commitments against high-rises on the Boardwalk and to take the right steps to protect Wonderland Pier’s future ahead of the City Council’s expected first vote related to the Wonderland Pier site on August 21, 2025.
The community-led coalition, which continues to grow in size and activity, is comprised of concerned residents, neighborhood associations and local groups including Ocean City 2050, Plaza Place Association, Save Wonderland, Beach Watch Condominiums, Fairness in Taxes, Concerned Citizens for Glen Cove, and Friends of OCNJ History & Culture.
The coalition is calling on City Council to do what is right for the community as a whole:
1. Council Members to keep their promises and say NO to high-rises at the Wonderland Pier. For nearly thirty years, the commercial boardwalk has respected zoning that has kept the area reserved for amusements and retail. While running for council, every current council member recognized the importance of this zoning and promised to reject any high rise proposal on the Boardwalk.
2. Before voting on rehabilitation, conduct a comprehensive review of the Boardwalk. At the request of the developer, City Council is scheduled to take its first vote on August 21, 2025, referring to the Planning Board the question as to whether the Wonderland Pier site is “in need of rehabilitation.” Before pursuing a rehabilitation designation, the city needs to show vision by first embarking on a holistic review of its boardwalk, including a review of alternatives for Wonderland. Such steps will ensure the Boardwalk’s continued viability, economic health, and family-friendly character, and do so in a manner free from conflict of interest.
3. Negotiate — don’t capitulate — with the developer. Neither the Mayor nor the Council leadership has publicly pushed back in any way on the developer, despite their promises and required duty to the residents. The rest of the Council needs to step up, side with its people, and work on their behalf.
The Vote As a Dangerous Precedent and “First Domino to Fall”.
Jim Kelly of Ocean City 2050 warned, “A vote to grant rehabilitation status to Wonderland Pier would be the first domino to fall — setting a dangerous precedent for the entire Boardwalk. We’ve been saying for some time that if Wonderland is given this designation, any other business owner along the Boardwalk could make the same claim. In five years, our family-friendly Boardwalk could be lined with high-rises, losing the charm and the very reason people love Ocean City and come year-after-year. We cannot let this vote set that precedent.”.
Kelly contrasted the Wonderland vote with Council’s August 7, 2025 action on the Seaspray Condominiums. “With Seaspray, the building was condemned, structurally unsound, and the plan was a like-for-like replacement that kept zoning intact. Wonderland is entirely different — there’s no publicly stated plan, no structural crisis, and the risk is opening the door to oversized development that would forever change the Boardwalk . So why vote for a rehabilitation designation that may be unnecessary, costly, and invite litigation? We believe it’s because they are trying to smuggle through a high-rise plan by quietly building momentum, ignoring alternatives, silencing opposition, and passing votes they say are unrelated — but the public knows otherwise.”
Public Opposition Is Overwhelming
Since May 2025, the Big Mistake coalition has expanded its reach, strengthened its message, and invested in fact-based advocacy. In spring 2025, Ocean City 2050 commissioned Rutgers-Eagleton Institute of Politics to conduct an independent, scientific survey of Ocean City residents around the Boardwalk issues. That survey found that nearly 80% oppose high-rises on the Boardwalk. The same report found that only 20% of the residents strongly support the high-rise proposal. (See www.bigmistake.org/media for more information.)
In addition, a “Save Ocean City’s Boardwalk” petition on Change.org put forward by the local group Save Wonderland to stop a proposed Redevelopment zone at Wonderland Pier and Protect the zoning of the Ocean City boardwalk currently has more than 5,200 names, highlighting widespread community sentiment against the proposed hotel.
Finally, Ocean City 2050 representatives also continued to regularly meet with numerous citizen groups, residents, vacationers, and homeowners. The feedback from that group mirrored the survey information. The large majority of residents feel that a high-rise does not belong on the Ocean City Boardwalk, that any such project will lead to more such projects, extinguishing our family friendly culture, and that the Mayor and city leadership involved in the decision appear to be working for the developer, not the citizens.
A Better Path Forward
In addition to its participation in the opposition, Ocean City 2050 has developed a concrete, financeable and sustainable alternative plan for the Wonderland site, showcased at BetterIdea.org. They unveiled the plan at a packed and highly supportive community meeting on June 21, and have raised more than half of the funds necessary to purchase the property. The proposal has been viewed online over 11,000 times. The proposal focuses on a multi-generational, family-friendly entertainment venue that is economically sustainable, and provides year-round activation, without sacrificing the scale and charm that define Ocean City. The city should give this alternative airtime, just as it has given time to the developer.
Voices from the Coalition
Bill Merritt, also of Ocean City 2050: “The city has consistently failed to lead on this issue; instead, it is being led by one developer. We are here to stop that — to drive for a more responsible and transparent government. Votes like this are what create distrust and drive a wedge between the city and its constituents. Do the right thing: keep your promises and say no to a high-rise on the boardwalk.”
Dave Breeden, Fairness in Taxes (FIT): “The focus of FIT has always been on the protection of the On Boardwalk Zone from residential encroachment along with full disclosure on any conflicts of interest between the developer and certain city officials, namely the Mayor. The family-friendly Boardwalk in Ocean City is what separates us from all other Jersey coastal communities and makes Ocean City a special place for families. The establishment of the zone has protected the Boardwalk from condominium development and the city must continue to enforce zoning that promotes family-friendly businesses.
FIT has always questioned the relationship between the Mayor and the developer considering the million-dollar mortgage that the developer holds on the Mayor’s residence. What we know about the business dealings between the Mayor and the developer is not good; what we do not know may be far worse. All must be disclosed.”
Richard Barth, Ocean City Old Home Lovers and Friends of OCNJ History & Culture: “We have seen how unchecked development has destroyed some of the historic charm of Ocean City. The Rutgers survey found that the vast majority of residents believe that the City’s housing stock is headed in the wrong direction and are concerned about the City’s
lack of commitment to historic preservation. This lack of commitment has hurt our residential areas; this high-rise proposal can be the start of the same overdevelopment of our boardwalk.”
Helen Struckman, Save Wonderland: “We believe in a future for Ocean City that is built on thoughtful growth, not overdevelopment. Our opposition is based on a deep love for our community and a desire to preserve what makes Ocean City ‘America’s Greatest Family Resort.’ The closing of the Wonderland park has already impacted the north end of the
Boardwalk with less foot traffic and store interactions. We need a real solution that helps everyone, not just one developer. Our Boardwalk is our culture; we can’t let it be destroyed by greed.”
Tony Dirado of the Plaza Place Association: “The resort is a direct assault on the historic Plaza Place neighborhood. The fact that the developer claims to be engaging with the community, yet has never even offered to meaningfully engage and compromise with the neighbors most directly impacted by this proposal, is incredibly insulting. We are fighting back, as our quiet, historic neighborhood will be forever damaged by this behemoth of a hotel. ”
Howie Atkinson of the Beach Watch Association: “This high rise resort has no place on the Ocean City Boardwalk. It is a public space, not a private enclave.”
Take Action
The future of the Boardwalk will be shaped by what happens on Thursday, August 21 — and public presence matters. City Council will hold its first vote on the Wonderland Pier “rehabilitation” designation that evening, and residents must make their voices heard.
We urge all Ocean City residents, property owners, and supporters to:
● Attend the August 21 Council meeting and stand with your neighbors in opposition to the high-rise proposal.
● Add your name to the “Save Ocean City’s Boardwalk” petition, available at https://www.change.org/p/save-ocean-city-s-boardwalk
● Contact your Council representative directly and remind them of their promises to protect the Boardwalk from oversized development. (See here for Council contact information and how to get involved.
About the Big Mistake Coalition
Big Mistake is a grassroots coalition of Ocean City comprised of concerned residents, neighborhood associations and local advocacy groups united in opposition to a proposed 252-room high-rise hotel at the former Wonderland Pier site. The coalition includes Ocean City 2050, Plaza Place Association, Save Wonderland, Beach Watch Condominiums, Fairness in Taxes, Concerned Citizens for Glen Cove, and Friends of OCNJ History & Culture, and represents a broad cross-section of residents, long-time visitors, and local stakeholders.
Together, we advocate for thoughtful, community-driven planning that protects Ocean City’s cherished character. Big Mistake champions the Better Idea—a mixed-use vision for Wonderland’s future that includes public green spaces, historic amusements, local retail, and subtle lodging—that aligns with long-standing zoning and values, supports the local
economy, and ensures the Boardwalk remains one of America’s most treasured family destinations.
Learn more at BigMistake.org.
