We interrupt our normal sending schedule to bring you this most important update.
We now know plans for the Wonderland Pier site, according to a report in the Inquirer.
Here are the details.
As expected, owner of the property and notable Shore developer Eustace Mita plans to build a 7-story hotel called “Icona in Wonderland” and will rebuild and renovate the carousel and ferris wheel, respectively.
• Plans were shared with City Council members and the Boardwalk Merchants Association
• Proposed hotel would be 7.5 stories with 252 rooms
• Ferris wheel will be reoriented to run “east-west” rather than its current position of “north-south” and will sit on the north side of the property
• Mita told the Inquirer he will spend $1.5 million to rebuild the carousel and $1 million to move, elevate, and redecorate the ferris wheel with new lights
• Mita pointed to the fact that the city hasn’t had a new hotel in 50 years, and said his resort would bring in a thousand new customers on the Boardwalk every three days in summer
• A zoning change may not be required— rather, Mita seeks to designate the area as a “redevelopment zone”, which would require City Council approval
• The plan includes 375 parking spots for guests
• Mita says he will not seek a liquor license
Mita has not formerly gone public with the plans. Councilman Jody Levchuk, who owns Jilly’s, has encouraged him to do so. Rather, it seems the plan has been shopped to local business owners and select council members.
Here are more exclusively obtained photos:
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