Atlantic City Weekly

Share this Story:

In a few words, those with the power and ability need to work extremely hard and very quickly on these 11 items.

Quickly being the key word, as Atlantic City's future depends on it.

As 39 other states now have a form of legalized gaming, including — now — all of our neighboring states, Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware, all of which are moving full-speed ahead with the intention of capturing a portion of Atlantic City's many visitors, it's vitally important to get things done now in order to strengthen and make a positive impact on what lies ahead for Atlantic City.

11. There needs to be open communication between the state, county and municipal officials — all party affiliations included — with regard to the many important projects and changes that lie ahead for New Jersey this year and beyond. Knock down the walls for the betterment of the entire region. 

10. The geographical boundaries of the proposed "Tourism District" will be developed with ample input from both the state and the city, as well as the respective residents and parties whom such boundaries would subsequently affect.  A reasonable agreement will enable this geographical item to move itself off the proverbial "punch-list" rather swiftly.

9. A definitive answer as to the fate of the Revel Entertainment project will come forth. Additionally, Atlantic City will work on new methods to aggressively encourage new properties and developers, such as the Hard Rock, to build in Atlantic City. The Pinnacle site's open. (Or is it?) So is the area of the once-discussed Barr-Bashaw project just south of the Hilton. Then there's that big Bader Field place (see No. 6).

8. The current "next" phase of The Walk — with more parking! — is completed; work on subsequent phase begins, possibly in conjunction with the proposed Arts District. Would it make financial sense to combine the two efforts?

7. Allow for a better sense of the future of the recently proposed Arts Districtwith a medical education facet, which in December 2010 the CRDA funded a study on, for Atlantic City's midtown. Additionally, officials from throughout the region from all affiliated parties should swallow their pride and partner together to formulate a game plan that can't lose. Like how they will be attracting artists, musicians, gallery and coffee shop owners, for this intended "Bohemian"-like neighborhood? With assistance from an assortment of consultants and competent organizations (possibly some from New York and other cities), devise a specific plan for getting the Arts District off the ground by 2013. Providing affordable living space — such as giant New York-style lofts — would be ideal and is a key part of this becoming successful. As is the education part. Cities with an abundance of culture and art to offer are not only enticing for visitors, but depend on a substantial student population.

6. Continue to focus on the value, and potential spark to future building in Atlantic City, of Bader Field. A few years ago, it was the most expensive piece of land for sale in the entire universe. What's it worth now?

5. Live music. Keep the best acts in the world coming. Thanks to all of the casino properties in town and regional promoters, Atlantic City continues to be one of the hottest spots for live-music and top-tier concerts in the entire country. The Borgata starting off the year with Carrie Underwood on January 1. Good example. Keep it goin' throughout the year to bring in a more diverse demographic to town. Dovetail eventually with city's Arts District. For example, the "local" bands that play the Arts District's many  coffee shops, galleries and bars frequently will be among the top bands in the region and could often be used by touring musicians playing a night in  town as a headliner at one of the casinos. Local acts borne from said Arts District should get chances to open for headliners at the casinos too.

4. A summer concert series featuring headliner Gil Scott-Heron for his first-ever live Atlantic City appearance (Scott-Heron's company Bru-Haha Music and the mayor's office will attempt to make this happen, the mayor has assured me), as well as other national acts. One day or every week, as long as it happens this summer of 2011. Also, encourage more local bars to pay local musicians to play there. Like they used to. Like it's supposed to be. Like what's done in places from New Orleans to Norway. So different localized scenes develop. So that, like all other destination cities around the planet, there is a local music scene that feeds the city its energy and whose members, by performing locally, help give the city's marketing team at the ACCVA or the region's South Jersey Cultural Alliance, another angle to market the city from.

3. For every police officer devoted to protect and serve the proposed "Tourism District," there should be at least one more officer assigned to do the same in both the city's most violent neighborhoods and its safest. To curb crime, make city residents feel safer and encourage neighborhoods to blossom with the types of things that most destination cities have an abundance of throughout their respective boundaries: coffee shops, boutique stores, bars and restaurants, live music venues, book shops, record stores, niche eateries, local museums, etc.  Along with this; a resolution to end the violence and killings throughout the resort and neighboring towns.

2. Sell Dante Hall: For several years up until about 2009, this gem on Atlantic City's Mississippi Avenue offered a delightful array of alternative entertainment than what is usually offered inside a casino showroom. Dance performances, theater productions, children's programs, nationally touring acts in many adult-oriented genres as well as regional jazz, blues and folk musicians were all what made up the tapestry of Dante Hall during its prime in the 2000s. Stockton College is reportedly working on a deal to buy the property. Good start. According to a source that wishes to remain anonymous, Stockton "will take a leadership role in the development of the proposed “Arts District” along Mississippi Avenue in Atlantic City." See, it's all coming together.

1. The 'Boardwalk Empire' Strikes Back  -  Not only will the sophomore season of this nationally-hailed HBO drama based on Atlantic City in the early 1920s uncover and entice with new and unexpected twists and turns with relation to the city's (and the country's) history, but it will be even better than the first season. And, by the time of the Season Two premiere parties (and related events), there will be  a renewed interest in developing new projects in the city, which will help the resort experience the best summer it has had in years, thanks to a national promotional campaign enticing new visitors from within the nation's vast and diverse pool, with Boardwalk Empire as the hook. Organize and strategize with related tours, events, live-entertainment from the period, every-day deals and specials throughout the city. Create a Boardwalk Empire Committee tasked with coming up with creative, inexpensive and efficient ways to market the town as "Atlantic City: The City Behind America's Most Popular TV Show." I'll be first to sign up.
   
Along with the multiple success stories that are bound for the upcoming year — the rebirth of Resorts, the state-city Tourism District project, the returning visitors to Atlantic City who have gotten tired of the simply-slots casinos and racinos in neighboring states — these 11 aforementioned items can only make the East Coast's entertainment mecca even greater.