Residents and business groups urge negotiation, not litigation, over Wonderland/600 Boardwalk

Public comment focused heavily on the future of the Wonderland/600 Boardwalk site. Wes Casmark, speaking for Boardwalk merchants, urged council to use the subcommittee's work as a flexible tool and to continue negotiating with Eustace Media despite online criticism. "Please continue to work together, continue to negotiate," he said, and warned that a small number of litigants do not represent the town.

Pete Madden, speaking for the Chamber of Commerce and the real-estate community, said Ocean City must find a way forward by compromise, adding, "I support the hotel at the Wonderland site. I believe it can bring a new investment, support our boardwalk and downtown businesses, create jobs, and add something valuable to Ocean City." Other commenters echoed calls for transparency about developer proposals, noting social-media rumors of a 240-room, seven-story hotel and asking council to provide higher-level positions on height, parking and entertainment at the next meeting. Several residents also said the public deserves clearer disclosure of what the developer is proposing before negotiations conclude.