In wake of chamber’s conditional support of plan, they’re ramping up efforts, joining together
OCEAN CITY — With the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce throwing its conditional support behind Eustace Mita’s plans for a boardwalk hotel, citizen groups have ramped up marshaling their forces in opposition.
Multiple groups have been forming since last August when owner Jay Gillian announced that his Wonderland Pier amusement park would close for good in October 2025.
Wonderland Pier had been hanging on financially since the pandemic when in early 2021 Mita saved it from bank foreclosure and purchased the property.
Mita is known for his Icona Resorts — high-end hotels in Cape May, Wildwood Crest, Avalon and Stone Harbor — and his Achristavest Fine Home Builders.
Groups quickly began taking shape, including Save Wonderland and Friends of OCNJ History & Culture, in response to fears Mita would propose a hotel on the site of the iconic amusement park that was at Sixth Street and Boardwalk for almost 60 years.
Those fears were realized last fall when Mita began holding a series of public presentations on a proposal to build a seven-story, 252-room hotel, Icona at Wonderland, with about a dozen storefronts. He said he planned to incorporate a few rides — the big (Ferris) wheel, carousel and jet boats.
High-rise hotels are not a permitted use on the boardwalk but Mita suggested going through a speedier blighted property process of a site in need of redevelopment to gain approval to build his hotel. Representatives of the citizen groups have spoken out against that plan at multiple City Council meetings.
During one of his presentations, Mita said if he could not build his hotel, on which he would spent up to $150 million, he would be willing to sell the property to recoup his investment — for about $30 million.
Mita’s plans have met with a mixed reaction, especially negative from neighbors who don’t want to be in the shadow of a big hotel with the related traffic, and some positive. The chamber’s announcement — the first of support from a major organization — came some two weeks ago. The chamber said its board met with Mita and has given its backing— with conditions.
That drew immediate response from citizen groups.
On Monday, a coalition sent out a lengthy news release with quotes from multiple organizations.
Saying it represents thousands of residents and vacationers, the coalition argues the project “threatens the historic character, zoning integrity, and family-friendly culture that define Ocean City.”
They advocate for a transparent and fact-driven process for alternatives to the hotel project that respect the resort’s history and culture. They also argue for consensus.
“It’s important to recognize just how many Ocean City residents and organizations are firmly against the idea of a high-rise hotel on our historic boardwalk,” wrote Jim Kelly, a local resident and founder of community-led advocacy group Ocean City 2050. “While the developer Eustace Mita claims to have received endorsements from a few merchant associations, he offered these groups a false binary choice: his hotel or nothing. We submit that there are better alternatives that should be explored, which would more successfully serve our community and still be highly profitable. Even groups that Mita claims have ‘endorsed’ his resort have concerns.”
“Changing this zoning risks the remainder of the boardwalk following suit, and we could lose a huge part of the charm and draw that makes our city so special. The redevelopment of Wonderland should be shaped by a process that is respectful, inclusive and rooted in the values that make this town special,” according to Bill Merritt, president of Friends of OCNJ History & Culture.
Helen Struckmann, of the grassroots organization Save Wonderland, added, “The fight to save Wonderland isn’t just about one property — it’s about preserving Ocean City’s soul. Our group, which has more than 1,700 followers, stands against any project that sets a precedent that could open the boardwalk to low-, mid- and high-rise condo developments and change the identity of the island. This hotel proposal could easily be the Trojan horse that replaces our family-focused attractions with high-priced condos. With the changing landscape, we could no longer legitimately hold the title ‘America’s Greatest Family Resort.’”
The coalition noted a recent community petition focused on protecting the zoning of the boardwalk, for example, currently has more than 4,500 signatures and is growing every day, and that the hotel would be adjacent to historic neighborhoods.
“The residents of Plaza Place Civic Association are resolute in opposition to this resort hotel proposal on the boardwalk, which is adjacent to our Ocean City recognized historic neighborhood,” said Anthony Dirado, chairman of the Plaza Place Civic Association.
Howie Atkinson of the Beach Watch Association, representing another group of affected neighbors, also objects:
“The Wonderland property is not ‘blighted’ or ‘in need of rehabilitation.’ It is in need of a project that is in keeping with the history, culture, charm and zoning of our beloved Ocean City. It is not in need of a project that will start the demise of the boardwalk and the family-friendly atmosphere that Ocean City offers its residents and guests.”
Others quoted in the release are Richard Barth of the Ocean City Old Home Lovers Group, who said it has more than 9,000 members, and Bob Hellyer, a spokesperson for the Glen Cove Concerned Citizens.
“Our group exists to celebrate the irreplaceable charm of Ocean City’s historic homes,” Barth said. “The project as proposed will not only negatively impact the boardwalk but will have an adverse impact on the neighboring historic communities. With a positive dialogue, we can do better as a community.”
“A zoning decision has already threatened the solitude and safety of our private lagoon. We don’t need more bad decisions destroying other parts of the town,” Hellyer said.
The coalition listed the community groups and their membership:
— Ocean City Old Home Lovers Group (9,000+ members)
— Save Wonderland (1700+ followers)
— Friends of OCNJ History & Culture (600+ followers)
— Ocean City 2050 (500+ followers)
— Plaza Place Civic Association (40+ members)
— Beach Watch Association (40+ members)
— Glen Cove Concerned Citizens (20+ resident members)
A number of these groups are also part of the recent initiative launched at the website BigMistake.org, which details their opposition.
Overall, the coalition said it is asking Ocean City Council and Mita to listen to them and “pursue a vision that reflects the values, history and priorities of the people who love and live in Ocean City. This request is in line with the requirements issued by the Chamber of Commerce, which said its approval was ‘contingent upon several key recommendations aimed at ensuring alignment with the character and values of the community.’”
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff