'It's Over': Wonderland Luxury Hotel Fails Critical Ocean City Council Vote

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The luxury hotel proposed for Gillian's Wonderland Pier seemingly won't be moving forward after it failed to pass a critical City Council vote Thursday night.

"It's over," ICONA CEO and developer Eustace Mita told reporters following the nearly three-hour meeting, where dozens spoke on the controversial project.

Mita said he would immediately put the property up for sale and stop his attempts to build a hotel in Ocean City, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

The purpose of the emotionally charged and contentious meeting was for City Council to vote on a resolution to ask the Planning Board for its recommendation as to whether to designate the former Wonderland Pier property at 600 Boardwalk as an "Area in Need of Rehabilitation."

It would not have approved the project; it merely would have been the first step in the process for its eventual approval.

Mayor Jay Gillian pled at the beginning of the meeting for people to be respectful.

"I just ask everybody to be a little kind and considerate," Gillian said. But when Mita spoke, he was interrupted with shouts and jeers.

Mita said that the hotel's opponents had "fear-mongered and bullied people," spreading misinformation about the project.

City Council ultimately voted down the resolution 6-1, with only Vice President Pete Madden in support.

Some Council members said that a holistic review of the master plan and Boardwalk zone is needed. Others proposed that the hotel be put on a nonbinding referendum in the May municipal election.

Either way, they agreed further review is needed before a decision is made.

"While a comprehensive master plan review takes a lot of time, taking a global look at the boardwalk, not just a singular property, I think will be in the best interest of the community as a whole," said Councilman Dave Winslow.

Previous Reporting

• Wonderland Site's Future Up For Vote At Ocean City Council Meeting
• Proposed Ocean City Luxury Hotel Launches Petition For Support
• More Than Half In Ocean City Oppose Wonderland Luxury Hotel, New Poll Says
• 'A Better Idea': See Alternative Proposal For Wonderland In Ocean City
• These Ocean City Groups Are Speaking Out Against Wonderland Luxury Hotel
• New Advocacy Group Announces Plans For Ocean City's Future