Stockton Seeking Boardwalk Coffee Shop For AC Student Building

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Stockton University is seeking a coffee shop to occupy a boardwalk-fronting retail space in its planned $100-million-dollar student-residence building in Atlantic City, according to a document published on Friday. The University’s request-for-qualifications (RFQ) is the most recent step in the realization of a total $200 million project that is set to bring massive change to the southern end of the city within a couple of years. Prospective tenants must be regional or national brands, with at least five years’ business experience, according to the document (here). The coffee shop will be permitted to sell food that requires ‘limited cooking’ – since the University will be looking for a restaurant operator to move into a larger retail space in the same building. The coffee shop is one of three total retail spaces in the residence building, which is set to become home to 533 students in August 2018.

More about: Atlantic City, acdevco, Atlantic City, devco, Stockton University, students

Comparing Rowan and Stockton Universities

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Two of South Jersey’s universities are in expansion mode and we thought it would be interesting to compare and contrast their vital statistics, side by side, using data from the state budget. You can see that enrollment is up at both universities (so are fees) and state-funded positions are also up at Rowan University. It will be interesting to see whether the chatter around Rowan’s plans to expand in Atlantic City comes to anything, since Stockton University is rolling out ever-bigger plans for the city. On the one hand, expansion could bring more jobs and investment to the area, but on the other hand these institutions don’t pay property taxes. Since we wrote about Stockton’s plans to further expand in Atlantic City, we’ve also heard more people questioning the university’s debt load and its tuition costs, so we looked at the numbers. The amount of state support that Rowan receives is much greater – my guess is that this is tied to Rowan’s medical programs, but it’s not clear. And Stockton is slightly more expensive than Rowan, by these measures.

More about: Education, debt, rowan university, state budget, Stockton University, tuition fees

Stockton In Talks For Atlantic City’s Bader Field

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Stockton University is in “preliminary talks” to develop* some or all of Atlantic City’s Bader Field, according to people with knowledge of the matter. If the university were to occupy the site, it would further extend Galloway-based Stockton’s reach in Atlantic City, where it is building a residential campus, parking garage and academic center scheduled to open in 2018. The university is considering using the Bader Field site for a marine sciences and resiliency center, one of the people said. University President Harvey Kesselman discussed the idea as part of wider plans for the university in a presentation to Stockton foundation board members last week. Kesselman has had talks with Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian about buying* some of the site, one other person said.

More about: Atlantic City, Atlantic City, Bader Field, CRDA, Stockton

#ACAnonymous: Street Art In Atlantic City

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For a guerilla artist, this one is polite and well-mannered. We received an anonymous  phone call at 9.30am on Monday from Atlantic City’s mysterious new photography phenomenon. Known only by the hashtag #ACANONYMOUS, this photographer has been stapling scenic images of the city in the place of boarded-up windows, worn-out planters and faded signs.This was our conversation:

What is the idea behind #ACANONYMOUS? This is just a way to get my own artwork out on display. It’s not necessarily in your typical way – like in a gallery or having an exhibit – but I guess, this is a public way to get the photos out in neighborhoods and reach people that wouldn’t necessarily get a chance to see the work.

More about: Voices

Worried About Health Care Repeal, Advocates Hold Vigil Outside LoBiondo HQ

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On Wednesday night, a couple of dozen people gathered outside Rep. Frank LoBiondo’s office in Mays Landing. They were there to protest the repeal of the Affordable Care Act without any replacement plan. “Prior to the Affordable Care Act, we couldn’t afford insurance,” Jenna Alcantara, a small-business owner from Mullica Township told one of the staff at LoBiondo’s office. “To have this be where it is, is very scary to somebody like me.” (You can see an interview with Alcantara in the video below).

More about: Voices

Meet The People Behind #ThisIsAC

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If you’ve spent any time on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook lately and you’re in the Atlantic City area, you’ve probably come across the bold red logo or seen the hashtag #ThisIsAC. Maybe, like us, you thought it was some marketing effort by one of our many quasi-governmental overlords in these parts. But you, like us, would be wrong. #ThisIsAC was formed by a few people who just really, really care about Atlantic City. We went to meet them.

More about: Atlantic City, Business

Atlantic City Approves New 26-Bed Drug Detox Clinic

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It’s a sign-of-the-times story. Successful local conglomerate tries to refit struggling bus parking lot as urban RV park. When that fails, it opens a drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic. In another sign of the times, the zoning board unanimously approves the renovation plan and there is no public comment. Where is this happening?

More about: Opium Wars, Atlantic City, David Goddard, detox, drug rehabilitation, Enlightened Solutions, jennifer Hansen, Ole Hansen

Trampoline Park To Open In Mays Landing This Fall

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As a recent transplant to Atlantic County with two kids in tow, it didn’t take long before I could join in with local parents, kids and – even – politicians lamenting how it can sometimes feel like there’s little to do around here when the beach isn’t an option. So imagine me, whiling away an evening reading some planning board minutes, when the name of a business looking for a resolution just jumps out at me: Trampoline Park Consulting. Oh yes, I thought. THAT would make me happier. And my kids happier.

More about: Business

Why Did The Casino Association Ask A Norcross To Lobby CRDA?

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The Casino Association of New Jersey last year hired Philip Norcross, brother of Democrat power-broker George, to lobby the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) on the topic of “economic development,” according to lobbying records. In recent years, Atlantic City casinos have received millions of dollars from CRDA for investments in their own properties, but last year, as part of the city takeover legislation, CRDA saw that chunk of its budget diverted to pay off city debt. A spokeswoman for The Casino Association of New Jersey, which includes all seven of Atlantic City’s remaining gaming properties, declined to give any details on its lobbying activity. A spokeswoman for CRDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment and Norcross did not return messages left on Friday. The lobbying records show that Norcross’ Optimus Partners also lobbied the legislature on behalf of the Casino Association on the topic of the takeover legislation.

More about: Government, Watchdog Journalism, Bart Blatstein, Casino Association of New Jersey, CRDA, Optimus Partners, Philip Norcross

Stockton Aviation Park Engineer Bumps Up Contract Cost, Again

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The engineering company responsible for the design of the new Stockton Aviation Research and Technology Park has requested more money for the job, raising the total contract cost by 9 percent. The additional costs are connected with work that was not included in the original scope of the project, according to a letter sent by AECOM, the international engineering company carrying out the work, to the Atlantic County Improvement Authority (ACIA). The ACIA approved the request last month. The new work, worth $28,031, takes the total cost of the job up to $766,421.00. A previous change order, approved by the ACIA in August, gave AECOM an additional $41,234.00.

More about: Watchdog Journalism, acia, Atlantic City International Airport, atlantic county improvement authority, egg harbor township, FAA, federal aviation administration, Maser Consulting