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OCEAN CITY — Both challengers in the Ocean City mayoral election have thrown their support behind construction of a hotel at the former Wonderland Pier site on the boardwalk.
“A luxury hotel would be a great idea,” Councilman Keith Hartzell said before a large crowd April 28 at the Ocean City Tabernacle.
“To be crystal clear, we need to build a hotel. We need to work with the person who owns the property to get the best solution for what the people of this town want,” Council Vice President Pete Madden said.
While Hartzell mentioned a “boutique” hotel, he was referring to a smaller footprint off the boardwalk as opposed to the plan proposed by Eustace Mita for an eight-story hotel, which Madden supports.
Both see the concept of a hotel at the northern end of the boardwalk business district as key to drawing visitors back to that area, where Wonderland Pier was an anchor for more than 60 years until closing in October 2024. The property was used only minimally in summer 2025.
Incumbent Jay Gillian said the issue should have been resolved long ago. He said council and Mita should have gotten together to work out a compromise on the site.
“The owner, the council need to get into a room and figure it out. If they would have done that from the beginning, we would not be sitting here talking about this and it wouldn’t have divided the city so much,” he said.
Candidates also discussed their top priorities, the work of the Boardwalk Subcommittee, beach replenishment, parking, tourism, taxes, affordability, the resort’s image, BYOB and flooding.
It was a cordial affair, with handshakes and hugs at the beginning and both verbal and physical shows of support throughout the evening.
Opening statements
Gillian, who is seeking a fifth straight term, touted his experience.
“I’ve proven that I get things done,” he said. “You’ll hear a lot of ideas tonight, but leadership isn’t about talk; it’s about what you can actually accomplish. It’s about having the experience to turn plans into results. It’s about avoiding promises that sound good but don’t work and don’t deliver.”
Gillian said the island has changed for the better since he took office.
“Our work is not done, and we will continue to change. With the support of City Council, my administration has accomplished all of this with no-frill budgets, low taxes and absolute fiscal responsibility,” he said.
Hartzell, who represents the Second Ward and long served in at-large position, said he is seeking the top seat to provide for the needs and wants of the community, “ensuring that everyone, all residents, have been heard, acknowledged and acted on in ways that protect our family-friendly values and neighborhoods.”
“Our tradition and our rich culture and our history have made us one of the best places in the world to visit and to live, work and worship. And it’s because of those values that started as a Methodist retreat.”
He said his main issues, which he explained came from going door to door seven days a week, are the former Wonderland Pier site, aka 600 Boardwalk, and parking.
“Things that you told me, things that were important to you became my platform. I will be a strong leader that plans for the future and moves this city forward,” Hartzell said.
Madden, a 12-year member of the governing body who has served as president and vice president, said he would bring responsibility to the position.
“Responsibility to protect what makes this town special, responsibility to make smart decisions about our future and responsibility to put people ahead of politics every time,” he said. “I’m running for mayor because our future demands leadership that takes responsibility, thinks long-term and puts the community first.”
Madden said he believes in progress on the boardwalk — “It’s the heartbeat of Ocean City” — strengthening Asbury Avenue as a year-round economic engine and making the city affordable so seniors can remain in their homes.
“This election isn’t about the past. It’s about where Ocean City goes next,” he said.
Check back for updates at ocnjsentinel.com.
STORY by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
