Atlantic City authorities have not given up on their attempts to utilize the shuttered casino properties. The former Atlantic Club Casino Hotel has just received the approval of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority for two projects aimed at bringing its old glory back.
According to the released information, the former casino is to undergo a considerable transformation. It is to be turned into a family-oriented entertainment complex featuring a spacious waterpark as well as 800 hotel rooms.
As for the second project, it was proposed by AC Devco, a non-profit organization devoted to improving the struggling economy of the city. The proposal includes an establishment of “corporate offices and potential academic use”. These are to be located in a close proximity to Albany Avenue.
The Mayor of Atlantic City, Don Guardian, commented on the matter but could not say for certain if Stockton University officials would be willing to have their college campus on the site. University spokesperson was not immediately reached for details as well.
It is a well-known fact that the opening of a satellite campus in the city has been among university’s top priorities for quite some time. Stockton acquired the former Showboat casino under the leadership of its former president, but it does not seem like it will get a chance to transform the former casino into a college campus in the foreseeable future.
The vice chairman of Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Robert Mulcahy III, was reached for a comment and said that the approval of the projects for Atlantic Club conversion was the first attempt for economy revitalization that can actually be effective. According to the initial plan, the project for the recreation of Atlantic Club is to be completed no later than the beginning of 2017.
Atlantic Club was among the casinos that closed doors for visitors due to the intensified competition and weak revenues. Another three casinos had the same fate, which had a devastating effect on Atlantic City’s economy. More or less effective actions have been taken towards economy diversification.
Authorities have finally settled down around the idea of focusing on providing non-gambling facilities and utilizing the former casino sites. The aforementioned entertainment complex is a part of the solution. However, the remaining shuttered casinos are yet to be given the nod to become non-gambling properties generating decent revenues.
