Amusement Park

Amusement park proposed for landfill site in Sea Isle City
By BRIAN IANIERI Staff Writer, (609) 463-6713
Published: Thursday, January 26, 2006
Press of Atlantic City
Updated: Thursday, January 26, 2006

— The company that owns the Steel Pier in Atlantic City is considering opening an amusement park on a former landfill in the northern end of Sea Isle City.

Mayor Leonard Desiderio said Atlantic Pier Amusements approached the city with plans for an amusement park on a chunk of city-owned land on Landis Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets.

The concept is still in an early stage, Desiderio said.

Building there would require several state environmental approvals, as well as the support of residents and the three-member City Commission, he said.

“I told them (the company) an amusement park would help with tourism and would be a welcome business to any tourism community,” Desiderio said. “Of course, we have to go according to what the public has to say, and especially the public in the north end, and what they're thinking (about) entertainment in this area.”

About six years ago, the city lost a popular summer recreation spot for families.

Fun City was a small amusement park that operated near 32nd Street and the beach for nearly 30 years, but it was sold to make room for duplexes, taking with it its Tilt-A-Whirl, Merry-Go-Round and Scrambler. It also took away one more family attraction from the resort town.

Desiderio said the city is preparing a list of possible uses for the former landfill. What the city doesn't want there, Desiderio said, are houses.

Desiderio said he supports keeping city ownership of the land and perhaps leasing it long term. That way, down the line, the property cannot be sold to build more condominiums or duplexes.

Carmen La Rosa, an architect for the amusement company, said the site is about 14 acres, about half of which is buildable.

“The main thing is to go to the state and see what we can get approvals to build over a landfill,” he said.

La Rosa said the amusement park would include a roller coaster, Ferris wheel, other rides and the potential for a water park.

There isn't much available land is Sea Isle City, especially for an amusement park, so the former landfill seemed a good site, Desiderio said.

Over the years, people have proposed using the area as a golf course, but it wasn't large enough, Desiderio said.