Ocean City officials have voted to rezone a former iconic amusement park, paving the way for its potential redevelopment into a luxury hotel. The park, Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, was a Jersey Shore landmark that entertained families for decades before closing in October 2024 due to financial pressures.

History of the Park

Gillian’s Fun Deck was founded by David Gillian around 1930, and Roy Gillian began operating it as Gillian’s Wonderland Pier in 1965. The park became known for its carousel, monorail, and 144-foot Giant Wheel. However, it faced disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and Superstorm Sandy, which contributed to its financial woes.

Ocean City mayor and former Wonderland Pier owner Jay Gillian stated, ‘I tried my best to sustain Wonderland for as long as possible, through increasingly difficult challenges each year. It’s been my life, my legacy and my family. But it’s no longer a viable business.’

Redevelopment Plans

Icona Resorts owner Eustace Mita acquired the property in 2021 and proposed building a 252-room hotel on the site. The city council’s 5-2 vote to rezone the site as ‘in need of rehabilitation’ allows the city to begin the redevelopment process. However, the vote does not approve the construction of the hotel itself.

Some residents support the hotel, arguing it will bring more visitors to the city, while others express concern that the development would alter the boardwalk’s character. Community advocacy group Ocean City 2050 criticized the vote, calling it a ‘strategic blunder’ that favors the developer over residents. The group plans to join other groups in filing a lawsuit against the city, challenging the rehabilitation designation.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.