Ocean City Council Tables Planner Contract For Wonderland Evaluation

Council members sought more details on the planner's scope of work after public comments raised questions about the selection process.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Ocean City Council voted to table a resolution to award a professional services contract to Jennifer L. Heller of Polistina and Associates LLC, which is headed by Atlantic County Sen. Vince Polistina. The contract was intended to engage a professional planner to assist the city council in evaluating proposals regarding the 600 Boardwalk property, which is the former Wonderland site. The decision to table the resolution followed extensive discussion among council members and public comments expressing concerns about the process and transparency.

Why it matters

The 600 Boardwalk property, the former Wonderland site, is a valuable piece of real estate in Ocean City, and the city council's decision on how to evaluate proposals for its future development is an important one that impacts the community. The public comments raised questions about the selection process for the planner, and the council's decision to table the resolution suggests a desire for more transparency and clarity around the planner's scope of work.

The details

The contract was intended to engage a professional planner to assist the city council in evaluating proposals regarding the 600 Boardwalk property. Councilman David Winslow raised questions about the resolution's wording and the need for an additional planner, noting the city had recently hired a land use attorney. Councilman Sean Barnes suggested tabling the resolution to allow for further discussion and understanding of the planner's role. Resident Matthew Vichko highlighted the "nonfair and open process" for selecting the planner, noting the absence of an RFQ or RFP.

  • The Ocean City Council voted to table the resolution on February 20, 2026.

The players

Jennifer L. Heller

A professional planner who was proposed to be hired by the Ocean City Council to assist in evaluating proposals regarding the 600 Boardwalk property.

Vince Polistina

The Atlantic County Senator who is the head of Polistina and Associates LLC, the firm that Jennifer L. Heller is associated with.

David Winslow

An Ocean City Council member who raised questions about the resolution's wording and the need for an additional planner.

Terry Crowley

The Ocean City Council President who advocated for the contract, emphasizing a proactive, information-gathering approach.

Michael Allegretto

An Ocean City Council member who supported the contract, noting the new land use attorney's recommendation of the planner.

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What they’re saying

“Let's be proactive. Let's marry up the timelines here with the subcommittee, with the advice of our land use attorney, and with an independent planning report.”

— Terry Crowley, Ocean City Council President (patch.com)

“I'd be more interested what is the scope of this proposed planner's job? What are we hiring this person to do?”

— David Winslow, Ocean City Council member (patch.com)

“Let's be proactive. Let's marry up the timelines here with the subcommittee, with the advice of our land use attorney, and with an independent planning report.”

— Terry Crowley, Ocean City Council President (patch.com)

What’s next

The council's decision to table the resolution for three weeks will allow council members to gather more information and obtain a clearer understanding of the planner's scope of work and objectives for the 600 Boardwalk property.

The takeaway

The public comments and council discussion around this proposed planner contract highlight the importance of transparency and community engagement in the decision-making process for the future development of the 600 Boardwalk property. The council's decision to table the resolution suggests a desire to address these concerns and ensure a fair and open process.