ICONA Resorts to Pitch Ocean City Plan Again

ICONA Resorts to Pitch Ocean City Plan Again

The discussion surrounding ICONA Resorts’ proposal to transform Wonderland Pier into a new resort is intensifying, with another public meeting scheduled to address community concerns.

Last week, ICONA Resorts CEO Eustace Mita presented his vision to a packed house.

Approximately 100 attendees engaged in a spirited debate, raising critical questions about the project’s potential impact on Ocean City.

Topics such as alcohol policies, traffic management, and parking availability dominated the discussion.

Mita acknowledged the unexpectedly high turnout at the initial meeting, noting that the venue could not accommodate everyone. To address this, the next meeting will take place at the Ocean City Tabernacle, located at 550 Wesley Avenue.

With a seating capacity of up to 1,000 people, the new venue ensures more residents and stakeholders can attend and share their views.

These town halls are part of a broader effort to promote transparency and community involvement in the decision-making process regarding the future of the Wonderland site.

ICONA Resorts aims to build consensus and address concerns as they move forward with their proposal.

In its current form, the resort—tentatively named ICONA in Wonderland—would stand 7½ stories tall and feature 252 rooms.

Mita has proposed incorporating certain elements of the amusement park into the resort’s design, including the preservation and restoration of the historic carousel, the 140-foot-tall Ferris wheel, and the iconic wet boat ride.

During the meeting, Mita explained that he does not plan to apply for a liquor license. Instead, he envisions handling alcohol service similarly to how The Flanders Hotel, a nearby establishment, operates—by partnering with an outside company to manage weddings and private events.

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For parking, the plans include elevating the resort to create space on the ground floor for 375 parking spots. This is a significant improvement, as the current site lacks dedicated parking.

However, the biggest concern raised during the meeting was the potential increase in traffic. Many residents fear that the surrounding streets will be unable to handle the increased flow caused by the resort.

Mita and his team have yet to provide a definitive solution to this issue, which is expected to be a key topic at the next meeting.

The upcoming meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday at 5 p.m., and residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the project and voice their opinions.

What do you think should replace Wonderland Pier? As it stands, all of the rides, except those slated for preservation, are currently for sale.