Ferris Wheel Demolition Announced

Owner Eustace Mita says the Ferris wheel and part of Wonderland Pier must be torn down for safety reasons.

“The notice applies only to a cinder-block wall below one of the decks toward the rear of the property and not to the entire property or the building that people see from the Boardwalk.”

Property Safety Issues

A concrete retaining wall caved in and the foundation is cracking 30 feet from the Ferris wheel.

Demolition Plan Details

Mita's consultants advise demolishing the back two-thirds of the property, including the Ferris wheel.

“You can't even unscrew it to bring it down. It's going to have to be cut down with torches because of the way the repairs were made.”

Structural Challenges

The 144-foot Ferris wheel has been welded into place, preventing disassembly and reconstruction.

Historical Context

The Ferris wheel operated until 2024 when Wonderland Pier closed, after Mayor Gillian sold it to Mita in 2021.

Legal Challenge

Ocean City 2050 filed a lawsuit challenging the city's rehabilitation designation for the property.

“Whether that was just sales with no truth behind it or something that happened, safety comes first now, right?”

Financial History

Mita reported $3-5 million in repairs needed for the pier, with a 2022 incident resulting in a worker's death.

Rehabilitation Designation

City Council designated the property for rehabilitation in June, overriding zoning restrictions to allow hotel negotiations.

Timeline for Demolition

Mita has not provided a timeline for the Ferris wheel demolition or the unsafe property section.

Lawsuit Strategy

The lawsuit seeks to void the rehabilitation designation, claiming Ocean City restricted public participation in land use decisions.

“The deterioration in that asset is on Mita's watch, and you know, frankly, his watch began in 2021 when he bought Wonderland.”

Potential Public Space

Demolition could create temporary public space with sand for the interim period while redevelopment is decided.

“In some ways, creating an open lot with sand for the time being, it's not the worst result.”

Future Development

Mita plans a seven-story hotel with 252 rooms, but the Ferris wheel and carousel were part of the original vision.

Conflict of Interest

Mita and Mayor Gillian had a financial conflict of interest, as Gillian filed for bankruptcy months after re-election.

Public Response

Ocean City 2050 argues that letting the property deteriorate may have been Mita's strategy to drive urgency for redevelopment.

“Wonderland is dead. They killed it, right? So if it's dead, let's bury it.”