Photo: OCNJ Daily
Council says a deal on a hotel at the old Wonderland Pier site could take shape in 30 to 60 days. Here's what's settled, what's still open, and what people near 6th Street are asking.
The short version
City Council says it's making progress with developer Eustace Mita on a possible luxury hotel at the old Wonderland Pier site, 6th Street and the Boardwalk. One councilman thinks a deal could take shape in 30 to 60 days. The size, the height and the parking are still open, and Council says the public will see any agreement before a vote.
Browsing while you read? Search north end & downtown listings
Few topics get Ocean City talking like the future of Wonderland. Neighbors, clients, and the folks in line for coffee all ask me about it. Here's a calm, just-the-facts rundown of where things stand after the Oct. 8 Council meeting.
What happened this week
At Thursday night's meeting, Councilman Keith Hartzell spoke for the seven-member Council. He said he feels "very, very confident" the city and Mita will agree on a development agreement, possibly in "30 to 60 days, somewhere in there."
He also asked residents to be patient. Council wants a unanimous 7–0 vote, and getting there means working through a long list of details first. The big open items, according to Hartzell, are:
- How big the hotel will be
- How tall the building will be
- How many parking spaces will be built
Talks will resume when Mita returns from a trip to Ireland. The Press of Atlantic City reported that Council is weighing possible limits on building height and room count, and that members have sent Mita follow-up questions after he answered their first round.
How the plan has changed
Mita's first proposal was a 252-room hotel rising nine stories above the Boardwalk. The estimated cost was $150 million to $200 million. He has since said he would scale it back to about seven stories with fewer than 252 rooms. The exact room count hasn't been set.
Some background
- Mita bought the Wonderland property in 2021 for a reported $14 million. The amusement park closed for good in October 2024.
- The Boardwalk at that spot isn't zoned for a hotel. To create a legal path for one, Council designated the property an area "in need of rehabilitation."
- On Aug. 10, a coalition of community groups and residents filed a lawsuit challenging that designation. Council discussed the litigation in closed session on Oct. 8 and said it took no action.
- After a retaining wall at the back deck collapsed, the city's construction official issued a notice of unsafe structure. Mita has said the 140-foot Ferris wheel can't be saved and will need to come down. Council had turned down his offer to donate the wheel because repairs were estimated at $2 million to $3 million.
What I'm hearing from buyers and owners
I'm not taking a side on this one. Plenty of good people see it differently. Supporters hope a hotel would bring new business and visitors. Opponents worry it won't fit Ocean City's family-friendly character and could overwhelm nearby blocks.
From a real estate point of view, here's what people near 6th Street and downtown are asking me:
- "Will it change my block?" Traffic, parking and building height are exactly the items still being negotiated, so it's too early to say. Following those details is the smartest thing an owner can do right now.
- "Should I wait to buy or sell?" I wouldn't put a life decision on hold over a deal that hasn't been written yet. If you own or are shopping near the north end, we can talk through how different outcomes might affect your specific street.
- "Will we get a say?" Council President Terry Crowley Jr. and other members have repeatedly said any agreement will be made public before a vote, and that they'll seek community input. At the Oct. 8 meeting, one resident asked Council to hold a town hall before any formal vote.
What to watch next
- A draft development agreement, possibly within 30 to 60 days by Hartzell's estimate
- The final numbers on height, room count and parking
- Any public meeting or town hall on the terms
- Updates on the pending lawsuit
I'll keep posting updates as this moves forward, in plain English and without the noise.
Jim’s Take: A tip from our local expert.
Watch the three open items, which are height, room count and parking, more than the headlines. Those are the details that will shape the blocks near 6th Street. I also wouldn't put a move on hold for an agreement that hasn't been written yet. If you own or are shopping nearby, we can look at how different outcomes might affect your specific street.
Michael Bautista, "Wonderland talks continue as Ocean City weighs height, room limits," The Press of Atlantic City, Oct. 9, 2026. Read the original.
Details can change; check the source for official dates and decisions.
Homes near this story
Live searches, always current.
Thinking about the north end or downtown?
Whether you love the Boardwalk energy or just want to know how all this could affect your street, I'm happy to talk it through.
Jim Murray, REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Jersey Shore
Cell (direct) 609.382.0567
Photo: OCNJ Daily. The former Wonderland Pier facade on the Boardwalk at Sixth Street. Source. This post summarizes public information for convenience. It isn't official notice; please rely on the original source for dates, rules and decisions. Jim Murray, REALTOR® · Keller Williams Realty Jersey Shore · Each office independently owned and operated.
More Ocean City news
Ocean City · Oct. 10, 2026Slow Down in High Water: Ocean City Moves to Protect Homes From Flood Wakes 
Ocean City · Oct. 10, 2026Goodbye, Sandcastle Park. Hello, Pickleball: 34th Street's $8M Rec Complex Is Coming for Summer 2027 
Ocean City · Oct. 10, 2026Ocean City's Fall Work List: New Pumping Stations for 19th–26th, Raised West Ave. Intersections and More