Iconic Jersey Shore Ferris Wheel Must Come Down, Developer Says

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The iconic Ferris wheel at the former Gillian's Wonderland Pier has deteriorated and must be torn down, according to developer Eustace Mita.

Mita, CEO of Icona Resorts, told Action News that the Ferris wheel cannot be disassembled and preserved due to years of corrosion from salt water conditions. The wheel will have to be cut apart with torches, according to Action News.

The Ferris wheel was planned to be part of the luxury hotel, ICONA in Wonderland, that Mita has been hoping to construct on the site.

That's not the only deteriorating part of the once-popular amusement park. Ocean City sent a notice of an unsafe structure to Mita after a concrete retaining wall caved in, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

News of the deterioration comes as local groups have filed a lawsuit seeking to turn over the property's designation as an area in need of rehabilitation.

READ MORE: Groups Sue Ocean City Over Wonderland Redevelopment Designation

The property was officially named an area in need of rehabilitation on June 25.

The lawsuit, filed by Plaza Place Civic Association, Beach Watch Motel Condominium Association, Ocean City 2050 and Fairness in Taxes, argues that the decision to name Wonderland an area in need of rehabilitation was tainted due to multiple conflicts of interest and did not satisfy the legal requirements.

"The City’s actions under review herein have severed the public’s trust in the City’s government," the lawsuit reads.

Previous Reporting

Ocean City Council To Hire Wonderland Redevelopment Attorney

Redevelopment Of Wonderland Site Continues To Be Discussed In Ocean City

Boardwalk Redevelopment Report Delayed By Ocean City Council