Ocean City To Review New Plans For Arcade Destroyed By Fire

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The Ocean City Planning Board is set to review an application from Playland’s Castaway Cove next week, more than 10 months after a fire destroyed the building’s arcade, offices and the famous pirate ship on the roof.

Investigators ruled the Jan. 30 fire accidental and said it originated from an electrical source near the front of the building.

Over the summer, crews built a concrete deck and ramp that connected the Boardwalk to the amusement park. Since the rides were mostly untouched by the fire, the amusement park was able to reopen for Memorial Day weekend. But its building could not be completed, Playland Vice President Brian Hartley said.

In September, construction crews started to rebuild the arcade after the Boardwalk crowds dwindled down. The foundation for a new building has been laid, but more progress is pending planning board approval.

According to the submitted plans, the layout will be similar to the former building. The first floor area will contain the arcade and food service with a Dairy Queen and a restaurant.

The second floor would be expanded for the building’s offices, bathrooms and storage, and reconfigured to maintain a 10-foot setback from the boardwalk.

The planning board meets Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Howard Stainton Senior Center (1735 Simpson Ave).

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