The landmark attraction that towered over Ocean City's Boardwalk for decades will not be preserved as part of the property's redevelopment, according to its owner, who cites deteriorating structural conditions.
OCEAN CITY — One of Ocean City's most recognizable landmarks is facing demolition as the future of the former Gillian's Wonderland Pier property continues to take shape.
The amusement park's iconic Ferris wheel, which has towered over the Boardwalk for decades, will have to be taken down because of deteriorating structural conditions, property owner Eustace Mita told the Ocean City Sentinel.
Mita disclosed the development during a tour of the former amusement park Friday, Sept. 18, according to a report published Monday by the Sentinel.
The announcement represents a significant change from earlier redevelopment plans that contemplated preserving the Ferris wheel as part of a proposed hotel development at the former amusement park.
Mita told the Sentinel that engineers have advised him the wheel cannot safely remain standing because of its deteriorating condition. He also described structural problems involving a wall beneath the attraction.
The approximately 144-foot-tall Ferris wheel has been a prominent feature of Ocean City's Boardwalk and skyline for decades.
Mita said previous repairs to the structure, including welded components, could complicate the process of taking it apart and increase demolition costs.
He is obtaining estimates for the work, but no demolition date has been announced.
The underlying engineering reports have not been made publicly available, and the extent of the structural deterioration has not been independently verified by South Jersey NewsBeat.
Earlier Plans Included Preserving the Ferris Wheel
Wonderland Pier closed permanently in October 2024 after generations of families visited the amusement park at Sixth Street and the Boardwalk.
Mita, the owner of Icona Resorts, purchased the property in 2021 and subsequently proposed replacing the amusement park with a luxury hotel.
His original proposal included preserving several of Wonderland's signature attractions, including the Ferris wheel and historic carousel.
The Ferris wheel was envisioned as a centerpiece of the new development, allowing one of the amusement park's most recognizable features to remain part of Ocean City's Boardwalk.
However, Mita told the Sentinel that the latest structural concerns have ended his plans to preserve the wheel.
The carousel's future remains a separate question, and no final redevelopment plan for the property has been approved.
Deteriorating Conditions Raise Safety Concerns
During Friday's property tour, Mita showed the Sentinel areas of the former amusement park where concrete has cracked and a retaining wall beneath an elevated deck is deteriorating.
He said the conditions have worsened even though the amusement rides have not operated since the park closed.
Mita also told the newspaper that city inspectors had visited the property and given him two weeks to respond to concerns about its condition.
According to Mita, the Ferris wheel and the former log flume attraction will need to be demolished, although no specific timetable has been established for either structure.
The owner said he is consulting engineers and other specialists as he evaluates how to proceed.
Redevelopment Remains the Subject of a Lawsuit
The announcement comes as Ocean City continues to negotiate the future of the former Wonderland Pier property at 600 Boardwalk.
In June, City Council voted 5-2 to designate the site as an area in need of rehabilitation, a decision that opened the door to negotiations over a redevelopment plan.
The designation does not constitute approval of Mita's proposed hotel.
Four community and civic organizations subsequently filed a lawsuit challenging the city's rehabilitation designation.
The plaintiffs, including Ocean City 2050, the Plaza Place Civic Association, the Beach Watch Motel Condominium Association and Fairness in Taxes, are seeking to overturn the council's decision.
The lawsuit raises questions about the legal basis for the designation and the process used to approve it. The allegations remain contested and have not been established by a court.
The city has since retained outside legal counsel to defend its decision.
Meanwhile, negotiations over the property's future continue, with no final agreement announced.
An Ocean City Landmark Faces Its Final Days
For generations of visitors, Wonderland Pier's Ferris wheel was a familiar sight rising above the northern end of the Boardwalk.
Its possible preservation had offered a way to retain a visible piece of the former amusement park's history even as the property moved toward redevelopment.
Mita's latest announcement indicates that the wheel will not remain part of the site's future.
While the timing of its removal remains uncertain, the owner's statements mark another significant change for the former Wonderland Pier property as Ocean City continues to debate what should replace the amusement park.
The demolition announcement was first reported by David Nahan of the Ocean City Sentinel on Sept. 21, following a Sept. 18 tour of the property with owner Eustace Mita.
Original report: https://ocnjsentinel.com/ferris-wheel-to-be-demolished/
About the Author
Karen Johnson
With over 30 years of news experience in major markets like Los Angeles, Denver, and Columbus, Karen now covers our area for South Jersey NewsBeat. She also brings her articulate and conversational news delivery to WOND radio listeners every weekday. Her background includes work with the NBC Radio Network, and she thrives in fast-paced news environments.
