Could FunTown Pier Return to Seaside Heights in 2015?

FunTown Pier, Seaside Heights, NJ, was largely destroyed after 2012's Hurricane Sandy (two years ago today, to be exact) blew through town.  Then, just about one year later, a fire started under the boardwalk and burned what was left of the park, along with an additional expansive area that included 50+ businesses.

After that you'd think the park's owners would give up, but apparently not.  The park's owner, Bill Major, has plans to bring the park back as soon as next summer, depending on government approvals.
He is seeking approval to rebuild FunTown on an even bigger pier, and feature even larger rides.  He is also hoping for new regulations that would allow him to build attractions up to 300 feet tall.

At the very least the plan is to rebuild the pier as soon as possible in its original footprint, and when that is complete he wants to put in either "a log flume or a big coaster."  I know which of the two I'd pick!

Mr. Major said a lot of rides have been scoped out for the new park, such as a "gigantic" roller coaster and a 250 foot tall Ferris wheel, but he held off buying them until he knows he has permission to build them.


Between Sandy's wrath and last year's fire, there are no attractions left that were salvageable, meaning FunTown will literally be rebuilt from scratch.  Much luck to the owners in the process of rebuilding, our fingers are crossed!

FunTown Pier Owner Vows to Rebuild After Fire

FunTown Pier in happier times.

After the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy, and the recent fire that totally destroyed anything the park had left, one might think that the owners of FunTown Pier would just give up.  Not so, however, as they are planing on rebuilding even bigger and better than before.

There were a few rides left where the pier was located that survived Sandy, but the fire has totally reduced everything to ash.  You can see photos of the remains in this story.

The owner of the pier was working on rebuilding when the fire hit, seeking approvals to extend the pier by 300 feet when it was rebuilt.  Now the little that is left will have to be demolished, but that hasn't changed the mind of owners - just set them back a little bit further.

In a strange sense it almost gives them a clean slate to work with, though the cost of rebuilding has gone up no doubt.  After Sandy the plan was to reopen in 2014, but that's probably impossible at this point due to the fire.

Hopefully the area can get a break now so that plans for the rebuild can move forward.  We certainly wish them luck!