Taxpayer group passes resolution supporting traffic study, alternative
OCEAN CITY — Taxpayer watchdog group Fairness In Taxes has come out in opposition to a high-rise hotel on the Ocean City Boardwalk.
At its Aug. 3 meeting, the Fairness in Taxes (FIT) board of directors approved a resolution with four objectives: protecting the integrity of the On Boardwalk zone (which doesn’t allow high-rise hotels), seeking entertainment alternatives for the former Wonderland Pier amusement park site, preparing a comprehensive traffic study on neighboring roads and “full disclosure of any and all business and financial relationships between city officials and Eustace Mita and any of his business entities.”
Developer Eustace Mita owns Achristavest Fine Home Builders and Icona Resorts, which has a number of high-end hotels in Cape May, Wildwood Crest, Stone Harbor and Avalon. He purchased the Wonderland Pier site in early 2021 to save the amusement park from foreclosure during the COVID-19 pandemic, then leased it back to owner Jay Gillian, who closed the park permanently in October 2025.
Mita has proposed a 252-room, eight-story hotel and retail complex at the site. He made a number of public presentations about his plan for the $135 million to $150 million project, but has not submitted a formal proposal to Ocean City.
On Thursday, Aug. 21, Ocean City Council is scheduled to vote on a resolution to forward the 600 Boardwalk property to the Planning Board for its recommendation whether to designate the property as “an area in need of rehabilitation.”
Although the rides at the amusement park have been closed since last fall, Mita refurbished and reopened the former Wonderland building that fronts on the boardwalk with a pizza shop, arcade and bike rental business.
The resolution states FIT’s mission includes monitoring municipal polices, evaluating effects on taxpayers and educating the public of “consequences” of actions by the mayor, administration, City Council and public boards and commissions.
It goes on to state the project would aggravate parking in the neighborhood by Ocean City High School, that the On Boardwalk zone established in 1998 was meant to prevent residential-related development on the boardwalk between Sixth and 14th streets and promote entertainment there, and that Mita wants the site designated as a redevelopment zone.
A redevelopment zone designation, FIT states, would set a negative precedent other boardwalk businesses could use.
In a press release related to the vote, FIT President Dave Breeden said the On Boardwalk zone “has been one of the wisest protections in Ocean City’s history. If Wonderland is granted redevelopment status, it will open the floodgates for other boardwalk property owners to pursue hotels and condominiums, threatening the very character of America’s Greatest Family Resort.”
On supporting alternatives, it suggested developing a small project with a variety of options such as lower-cost rides for children, digital entertainment for teens and adults, food and dining, space for live public performances with low-rise lodging blending with the neighborhood.
On that front, FIT’s resolution mirrors “A Better Idea,” the Wonderland Commons proposal pitched by Friends of OCNJ History & Culture and related advocacy group Ocean City 2050. Both groups oppose Mita’s plan. (More information at oceancity2050.org.)
On the potential conflicts of interest, FIT cited business ties to Gillian, including “a million-dollar mortgage on the mayor’s condominium and significant political contributions from Mita, his associates and employees to local campaigns.”.
According to the state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) website, from January 2021 through the end of 2024, Mita made $31,500 in political donations, including $4,000 to Pete Madden, who was Ocean City Council president; $10,000 to the New Jersey Republican State Committee; $12,500 to the Cape May County Regular Republican Organization; $1,000 to former Senate President Stephen Sweeney; and $4,000 to Stone Harbor Mayor Timothy Carney.
In addition, he donated to state Sen. Michael Testa — $3,000 in 2023, $2,500 in 2024 and another $2,500 in 2025.
Mita’s donations came from addresses including Wesley Avenue in Ocean City, Chester and Media, Pa., and Wildwood. In all, Mita was listed either as a business owner or administrator with his employer listed as Icona Resorts, Achristavest, Mita Management or Icona Management LLC.
“Wonderland was a beloved part of our community, and while we can’t bring it back, we can decide what replaces it,” Breeden said in the release. “The city must negotiate from a position of strength, not reward neglect with special zoning privileges.
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
