Atlantic City Weekly

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Remake the City, Not the Image” was the headline of an editorial in a recent edition of the Asbury Park Press. The following is the editorial, which I believe should be read by the people in our area to see what a major newspaper in the state has to say about Atlantic City:

“Atlantic City’s 11 casinos, smarting from their worst year in three decades, want to pour $20 million — a portion of it funded by taxpayers if they have their way — into a major promotional push. Before it changes perception it must change the reality. Atlantic City’s chief draw remains the casinos, largely islands unto themselves in the city with great untapped potential for more, but a victim of weak, corrupt local government, lack of imagination and failure to understand the need to transform the city itself, not just Pacific [Avenue] and the Marina District.

“In most people’s minds quite accurately, Atlantic City has one main attraction — casinos, and the restaurants and nightlife associated with them. Its five-year-old slogan, “Always Turned On” is squarely pitched at one segment of adults, rather than families, automatically excluding the majority demographic. It’s narrow target group has been further winnowed by increasingly strong competition for the gaming dollar from racinos in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

“As with other businesses facing reduced market share, Atlantic City needs to offer new products that will attract new customers. As we have pointed out before in addition to its casinos, Atlantic City has two unique strengths — its seaside location and its world-famous [B]oardwalk. It has failed to capitalize on either. The city’s retail shopping is hardly a draw. The family entertainment offerings are paltry. Many neighborhoods adjacent to the casinos remain uninviting at best. And the beach, largely hidden from view on Pacific Avenue by the casinos and on the “[B]oardwalk by huge dunes, are virtually inaccessible to non-casino visitors. ‘This is a town that has been on cruise control for 25 years,’ Larry Mullen, [former] president and chief operating officer of the Borgata, warned two years ago. ‘The biggest challenge now facing Atlantic City is itself.’ Meeting that challenge will become even more daunting if Atlantic City doesn’t reconnect with the sea and the [B]oardwalk and remake itself as a destination attractive to families as well as the singles, high rollers and busloads of slot-minded day-trippers.”

The most important correction to be made in the Asbury Park Press editorial is the claim that a portion of the $20 million being requested will be funded by state taxpayers. That is entirely untrue. The $20 million requested by the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority (ACCVA) and the Atlantic City Casino Association is to come from a variety of sources. Atlantic City’s Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall are no longer in control of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA). These two Atlantic City properties are now under jurisdiction of the ACCVA. There are some funds in the NJSEA account that will eventually be turned over to the ACCVA that could be used for this purpose. They’re also making inquiries into the possibility of marketing funds from the South Jersey Transportation Authority and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. The $20 million might be made available over a three-year period, which would certainly enhance the current funds being used for marketing Atlantic City.

This is the second editorial in a state newspaper, the local daily being the first, to comment about the dunes that are blocking the view of those on the Boardwalk of the beach and ocean. The battle to lower the dunes is continuing. We are looking forward to the promise of Sen. Jim Whelen, who publicly stated that the commissioner of the Environmental Protection Agency would come to Atlantic City to meet with us or send one of his senior representatives to discuss this issue.

I also take issue with the editorial on the subject of the city’s retail shopping. Obviously, the editorial writer has not recently visited Atlantic City’s shopping areas, such as The Walk, a retail outlet shopping center about to go into its third expansion program in October, The Pier Shops at Caesars, which offers some the most exclusive brand names in the retail marketplace, and the Tropicana’s Quarter, which always seems to have throngs of people visiting its many stores and restaurants. As to our family entertainment being paltry, that is true, but that is by choice. Atlantic City no longer has rooming houses or low-cost motel units where families used to stay. One of the only places offering families entertainment is the Steel Pier, which is only open for five months. However, quality restaurants in Atlantic City will equal those of any city in the nation.

Thanks to the Asbury Park Press for their concern about Atlantic City’s welfare. Their editorial writer’s comments about its future needs are appreciated.

Don Marrandino Returns

Don Marrandino, a born and bred localite, will be returning to Atlantic City to assume the position of one of Harrah’s Entertainment’s top executive officers of their East Coast casino properties. The vacancy for his new position comes from the announced retirement of Carlos Tolosa, president of Harrah’s Entertainment’s eastern region. Tolosa joined Harrah’s 39 years ago when they were known as the Holiday Inn. Tolosa came to the United States from Chile and lived the American dream by becoming one of Harrah’s Entertainment’s most highly regarded executives. Marrandino, who turned 50 last Saturday, worked for several casino companies in Vegas. Over the past few years, he has been the COO of five of Harrah’s Las Vegas casinos. Welcome home, Don.

Pinky’s Corner airs Monday through Friday from 4 to 6pm on News Talk WOND-AM 1400. His TV show, WMGM Presents Pinky, airs Saturday at 7:30pm on TV40. Pinky’s e-mail address is: pinky@acweekly.com.