Save Iconic Wonderland Ferris Wheel, Ocean City Residents Say
OCEAN CITY, NJ — With Gillian’s Wonderland Pier set to close, the future of the iconic Ferris wheel is up in the air. But residents and vacationers alike are trying to change that – and not just the wheel, but perhaps the entire park.
Some voiced their feelings at a recent City Council meeting. The newly-formed non-profit Friends of OCNJ History & Culture was part of that.
Bill Merritt, one of the group’s founders, asked that council keep options open and not begin any demolition on the park while these options are being explored.
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RELATED: Readers Share Decades Of Gillian’s Wonderland Pier Memories
Merritt also called for more transparency about the future of Wonderland Pier.
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“People are largely in the dark right now, and that’s not helpful,” he said. “It breeds distrust.”
He said that council should include the public and utilize public input. “Put all the facts on the table and let the people weigh in,” Merritt said.
Local business owner Donna Saber suggested that the closure of Wonderland could negatively impact Ocean City’s economy.
“We cannot allow the symbol of Ocean City to die without fully studying the impact that demise may have on our tourism,” Saber said.
Eustace Mita, chairman and CEO of Icona Resorts, is the owner of the property. Last year, he proposed a $150 million luxury hotel behind Ocean City High School and next to Wonderland. That proposal was shot down by Mayor Jay Gillian.
It’s unclear what Mita’s plans are for Wonderland. He told other news outlets that he would take until the end of the year to think about what was best for the property and for the island.
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