Dear Friends and Supporters,As we shared earlier this week, Plaza Place Civic Association, Beach Watch Motel Condominium Association, Fairness in Taxes (FIT), and Ocean City 2050 filed suit in Superior Court in the County of Cape May against the City of Ocean City and City Council, seeking to void the Council’s June 25, 2026, designation of the former Gillian’s Wonderland Pier property (600 Boardwalk) as an “Area in Need of Rehabilitation.” We appreciate the engagement and discussion around the lawsuit since it was announced. We’re glad that the conversation on social media has largely been civil and thoughtful, and we welcome the questions being raised. We’d like to take a moment to highlight our Frequently Asked Questions and address some of the comments we’ve often seen come up. First and foremost, this lawsuit is not about stopping development at Wonderland. It is about protecting the rights of Ocean City residents and challenging a process we believe is unlawfully compromised by significant conflicts of interest, insufficient independent analysis, and the removal of important public protections. Residents should not have to choose between redevelopment and good government. Ocean City deserves both. We've also heard questions about what happens next. The good news is that progress can and should continue while the lawsuit moves forward. The developer can submit his promised downsized hotel proposal. The City can negotiate with him. And the City can and should move forward with the market studies, traffic analysis, environmental and CAFRA review, and other work recommended by the Boardwalk Subcommittee. None of these crucial steps are prevented by this lawsuit. We also appreciate the comments we have received about the depth of our investigation, its clarity, and the care and thought that went into the complaint. We understand the gravity of this issue, and we spent considerable time gathering documents, information, and researching the law. And keep in mind: the complaint is just the first part of a legal process. It lays out the legal basis and claims for the case. We will have additional opportunity to supplement the evidence as we learn more. Another question that has been raised is whether the lawsuit will impose costs on the city, which taxpayers would need to ultimately pay. If the City chooses to stand by its unlawful actions, then yes, it will. But think about it this way: What if the City routinely stripped away residents’ rights? How will that affect our quality of life? If residents cannot challenge the City because it will cost the City money, then it could never be sued, and could operate with impunity. That’s not right. In truth, the City brought this lawsuit on itself by failing to do what it said it would do – conduct a Master Plan review to assess and update the Boardwalk zoning as needed. They instead bent to the developer and chose a path that they knew would lead to litigation. This is part of a pattern of the City choosing the costlier and longer option preferred by the developer rather than the faster, easier, and more transparent path. Finally, some have asked why residents should care if they don't live near Wonderland or if they are in support of a hotel there. First, the future of our family-friendly Boardwalk hangs in the balance; this impacts everyone who loves Ocean City. And second, everyone should care because the rights and protections at stake belong to everyone. If government can weaken important planning protections and diminish the public's voice for one project, it can do so elsewhere in Ocean City. The decision to file did not happen in a vacuum, but rather in part because of a troubling pattern we’ve seen over many years and many projects of the City weakening public protections beyond just Wonderland. We encourage you to read the full FAQ HERE, share it with your friends and neighbors, and continue asking questions. Thank you for your continued support,
Sincerely, Jack Gutenkunst
Plaza Place Civic Association Howie Atkinson
Beach Watch Motel Condominium Association Dave Breeden
Fairness in Taxes Bill Merritt
Ocean City 2050
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