Ocean City Council Blocks Wonderland Pier Hotel Plan; ICONA to Sell

Ocean City Council Blocks Wonderland Pier Hotel Plan; ICONA to Sell

The Ocean City Council’s vote on Thursday night marked the climax of weeks of debate, community meetings, and developer pitches over the fate of the former Gillian’s Wonderland Pier.

In the end, the council voted six to one against a proposal that could have paved the way for redevelopment, leaving the future of the pier uncertain.

For weeks, the project had stirred strong feelings across the community. Public forums drew passionate crowds, with residents and advocacy groups voicing concerns that a large-scale hotel and resort would undermine the boardwalk’s family-friendly character.

Many feared that the pier’s history of small businesses, low-rise architecture, and classic amusements would be overshadowed by an eight-story, 252-room resort.

The developer, ICONA Resorts, had envisioned a luxury hotel with boardwalk-level retail and a design meant to complement existing surroundings. They also promised to preserve signature attractions like the Ferris wheel and carousel.

Supporters argued the project would bring economic benefits by boosting year-round tourism and increasing city revenue. But critics countered that even with these concessions, the project risked erasing the nostalgia that makes Ocean City unique.

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At the center of the vote was a resolution asking the Planning Board whether to designate the Wonderland site at 600 Boardwalk as an “Area in Need of Rehabilitation.” This designation would not have altered zoning or automatically approved development.

Instead, it would have acknowledged the property’s deteriorating condition and created a framework for future proposals.

Proponents called it a first step toward revitalization; opponents feared it was a back door to large-scale development.

As the council meeting approached, the divide sharpened. Residents packed the chamber, some endorsing the resort as a sign of progress, while others raised alarms about traffic, infrastructure, and the long-term impact on Ocean City’s identity.

Alternatives were also floated, including a boutique hotel paired with public space and entertainment, a middle ground meant to encourage growth without overwhelming the boardwalk’s spirit.

In the end, the council sided with preservation. The six-to-one vote blocked the rehabilitation designation, effectively halting ICONA’s hotel plans.

Shortly after, developer Eustace Mita announced he would put the property up for sale. Speaking to 6ABC, he said, “I feel terrible for Ocean City because they just missed the opportunity of a lifetime. Rather than putting Wonderland into a redevelopment zone, they elected to kick the can down the road and wait until the master plan revamps a few years from now. I don’t have five years to wait, so we’re out. We’re putting it up for sale.”

With ICONA stepping away, the future of Wonderland Pier is once again in limbo. For many, the decision represents more than a zoning dispute—it’s about defining what Ocean City should be in the decades ahead.

Once the centerpiece of family vacations for nearly a century, the pier’s next chapter will depend on whether future proposals can balance redevelopment with the legacy of a cherished landmark.

The Wildwood Video Archive visited Wonderland Pier one last time prior to their closing last year. You can watch that video below (and please do consider subscribing).