Atlantic City Charts Course for the Future

In the wake of announcements that as many as four Atlantic City casinos will be closed by September, The New York Times reports that plans are to reinvent the city. A new play, outlined by the city's mayor, Don Guardian, and Governor Chris Christie, aims to keep it as a destination while reducing its reliance on gambling income.

As the story notes, "Mr. Guardian and Gov. Chris Christie have come up with a vision for Atlantic City as a convention mecca, a college campus, a tech center, and, yes, a gambling destination, though a smaller one, with perhaps a half-dozen casinos. But the transition is not happening as fast as the wrenching resizing of the city's gambling industry."

On the upside, the story reports, "The state, the city, and the casinos count their victories in developing attractions -- new restaurants with celebrity chefs, shops, nightclubs, and beach concerts -- for tourists who may never push a button on a slot machine or bet on the roulette wheel.

"The city is now a stop on the ultramarathon circuit. Lady Gaga played a sold-out concert on the boardwalk in June. More than 130,000 visitors attended the World Championship of Sand Sculpting there last year."

Also, "The state is also providing tax breaks and gap financing for a new outdoor sports superstore, Bass Pro Shop, under construction on Atlantic Avenue, as well as a $126 million conference center at Harrah's casino."

As has become increasingly clear, the expansion of casino gambling across the Northeast has created a saturated market that is proving fatal to many venues. The challenge to Atlantic City will be to restore lost jobs and tax income as quickly as possible.

For the full Times story, go to the URL listed below.