Margaritaville can’t buy city right-of-way Council votes 4-3

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(May 12, 2023) Even with plans showing a reduction in height and square footage, a proposed downtown Margaritaville resort continues to waste away after another setback this week.

At a work session Tuesday, Ocean City Council members narrowly denied a request from local attorney Hugh Cropper to set a public hearing to buy a portion of right-of-way the developers want for a 257-room, 12story hotel and conference center at the former Phillips Beach Plaza property between 13th and 14th streets.

Cropper, who has represented the developers since introduction of the project nearly two years ago, said the request was one of “literally 100” steps still needed to advance the plans.

“I am here today to request that you abandon and sell, at fair market

See REQUEST Page 4