Blatstein’s PierAC, Norcross & CRDA, Opioid Antidote – Monday’s Roundup

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In another revealing look at how the state uses casino taxes (and debt financing backed by those taxes), Amy Rosenberg reports for The Philadelphia Inquirer on an insurance contract that the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority awarded to George Norcross’ Conner Strong & Buckelew, in spite of paperwork irregularities. CRDA, which has seen a chunk of its funding diverted to shore up Atlantic City’s budget, supported its selection of the Norcross firm. For more, read our reporting on CRDA’s decision to award thousands in back pay to board members, the Authority’s pay raises to a third of its staff after it cut more than a dozen jobs, and the impending state audit that has taken longer-than-expected.

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PierAC – Probably Not Coming in July

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There’s a sign on the locked gate of Garden Pier at the far end of Atlantic City’s Boardwalk. It reads “PierAC – coming July 2017”. The pier’s landscaping is unkempt. Nothing seems to be going on in the way of development.
Property records show Bart Blatstein borrowed millions of dollars backed by his Atlantic City properties at the start of last year. The developer’s purchases since then have not been costly, which would suggest he has money to spend on building and renovation. But Blatstein has been keeping quiet about his plans.

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Double Dutch

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There were more than a hundred people gathered in Brown Park on Saturday for a double dutch competition. While kids swarmed the park’s brand-new play equipment, their parents gathered around swishing jump ropes. More than the official ribbon-cutting two weeks ago, this event marked the rebirth of a park that had become synonymous with so many of Atlantic City’s problems.

After a $1.5 million renovation, the park reopened last month and it is now being used by families. Many of the parents in the park on Saturday never played there themselves – Brown Park had that kind of a reputation for over three decades. “We’re 35 years old – no one ever played in Brown’s Park, because of the infestation of drugs and alcohol and violence,” said Indra Owens, co-founder of a girls’ mentoring group called Princess Inc. When Owens and her Princess Inc co-founder Automne Bennett learned the park was being renovated, they got together with managers of the nearby housing developments.

More about: Atlantic City, Voices

Rebel Rebel, AC Guide – Friday’s Roundup

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Rebel Rebel
I know the Revel is now Ten, but I still come over all Bowie when I start writing about it. Anyway, in no big news to anyone, Glen Straub won’t be opening the former casino anytime soon, The Press of Atlantic City reports. Other investors are still interested in buying the property, the article says. Read Route 40’s Bill Sprouse on the last time Revel wasn’t opening in June (2016). AC Guide
Looking for the definitive non-casino guide to Atlantic City?

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Looking For Something To Do This Weekend?

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It’s going to be a beautiful weekend (sunny, 80-83 F) and there’s a lot going on. In Atlantic City you can kick off with a full moonrise climb at the Absecon Lighthouse tonight before heading over to Gardner’s Basin to support the AC Arts Foundation with a strawberry-moon cruise, then tomorrow morning watch the round-the-island paddle race (it kicks off at 8 am on Saturday from the marina outside Golden Nugget), watch or take part in the double dutch skipping event at Brown’s park in Atlantic City on Saturday,

Downbeach, Ventnor is hosting a food truck festival on ski beach all weekend, then Porchfest will kick off from 1 pm on Sunday, followed up by Funk Daddy playing the beach concert on Newport Ave. In Linwood, there will be music at the farmer’s market on Saturday and over in the Pines, there’s a Blueberry-themed art contest at Whitesbog (kids enter free) all weekend and on Sunday (also at Whitesbog) you can enjoy a lunchtime music jam. Over in Hammonton on Saturday there is another food truck festival from 4.30 pm. All that and more on our Route 40 Events page. Want to send us an event?

More about: Exploring South Jersey

Tidal Flooding, Prescription Drug Monitoring – Thursday’s Roundup

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Tidal flooding in the South Jersey area is set to be slightly worse than usual this year, due to rising sea levels and a potential El Nino pattern, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports, citing a new federal report. Areas further inland and Philadelphia are also seeing more flood days each year, the report shows. Models show that an El Nino effect is expected to develop this year, between now and April 2018, and that would compound tidal flooding in coastal areas.

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Local Campaign Finance, Beach-Tag Vending Machines – Wednesday’s Roundup

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Local Campaign Finance
The Atlantic City fight for mail-in ballots turned out to be the make-or-break in yesterday’s mayoral primary. Council President Marty Small won at the polls, but lost to Frank Gilliam when the mail-in ballots were counted, the Press of Atlantic City’s John DeRosier reported. That difference comes down to money and out-of-town contacts. Gilliam had raised a whopping $87,105 ahead of the election, according to his most recent campaign finance filing. More than double the $36,673 Small raised over the same period.

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Longport Installs Beach Tag Vending Machine

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Longport, Absecon Island’s hinterland of smoke-free beaches and elevated mansions, now has a beach-tag vending machine. “This is a new concept for the Borough so please have patience (as) we learn how to operate and maintain this machine,” read a message posted to the Borough’s website on Tuesday. The machine is located in the police department foyer and available 24 hours. If you’re considering buying a Longport beach tag, you should probably get down there to check it out quick since tag prices are soon going up. Regular seasonal tags are available for purchase at $15 through June 16. Then the price will go up to $30.

More about: Exploring South Jersey, beach tag vending machine, beach tags, downbeach, longport beach, margate, Ventnor

Elections, Atlantic Coast Drilling, Club Wa – Tuesday’s Roundup

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Elections
Atlantic County has some interesting primary elections today and The Press of Atlantic City’s John DeRosier has the rundown on the last few weeks of campaigning in the Democratic primary for mayor of Atlantic City, and the Democratic primary for a spot on the party ticket for New Jersey Assembly (District 2). Then, of course, there’s the race for governor (NJSpotlight has all the details on that race you ever needed to know). We’ll be covering the results as they come in on our homepage and Twitter. Atlantic Coast Drilling
President Trump yesterday opened the door to possible drilling off the Atlantic Coast, by five permits to allow companies to conduct seismic surveys with air guns, a technology used to explore for oil and gas, NJSpotlight reports. Conservationists have long fought drilling off the Atlantic Coast, which they say would harm marine wildlife.

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