The Walk
Occupancy at Atlantic City’s The Walk outlet center has fallen to its lowest level under current ownership by Tanger Outlets, amid a wider rash of retail closures and a locally still-slow economy. Tanger’s Chief Executive last week said he hopes the Atlantic City store vacancies will soon be filled – read more via Route 40.
Dunes
Margate and the Army Corps of Engineers were in court yesterday to testify on the ponding effect created by new dunes constructed earlier this year, reported Amy Rosenberg for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The lawyer for the Army Corps said he would “ask for suggestions” when the judge questioned him as to what could be done now to improve the problem. Margate officials – including members of the beach patrol – testified that the water accumulating between the dunes and the bulkhead was three feet deep in places and a public safety hazard since it was out of sight of lifeguards. Judge Renee Marie Bumb did not say when she would issue an opinion. The temporary stoppage of the dune construction work ends on Friday.
Beer Garden
Remember earlier this summer when everyone was excited about the new beer garden that was going to be built on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City? Well, it’s been kind of quiet since the plans were approved in May, but on Wednesday we found workers at the site. Read more via Route 40.
In the rest of the morning’s headlines, Atlantic City Council last night pulled its vote on appointing a redeveloper to Gardner’s Basin after members of the public and some councilmen raised concerns, read this feature on Atlantic City’s policing success, Gov. Christie signed a package of four bills that will help towns and counties protect farmland, and read (and watch) the story of the South Jersey sites that were once the last line of defense against a Soviet missile attack. All that and more below:
Atlantic City Beach Replenishment Begins–The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started replenishing the beaches in the resort this week, but local business owners say the timing could have been better. “The beach needed it desperately, but do it at a date or time that is the off-season,” said Nicholas Dounoulis, owner of the Bungalow Restaurant, Lounge and Beach Bar. Press of Atlantic City
Atlantic City Headed in Right Direction, AGA President Says–The resort is heading in the right directions, as companies line up to invest millions of dollars in the city, said Geoff Freeman, president and chief executive officer of the American Gaming Association. The opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City next summer, the proposed joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment Corp, and the possible reopening of the former Revel, now known as TEN, are all signs the resort’s gaming industry is recovering after three years when five casinos closed and the gaming industry lost about 10,000 jobs. Press of Atlantic City
Rainy Summer Weather Impacts South Jersey Produce–It’s been a particularly rainy summer, especially these last couple of weeks. But how has the extra water been affecting South Jersey farms? www.snjtoday.com
A New Gallery Brings International Art to South Jersey–Avra Art Gallery is holding their grand opening Saturday, August 12th, in Margate. The new gallery will open with an international fine art exhibition that owner Marc Franks says brings the artwork of far off lands, like Greece and Albania, here to South Jersey. www.snjtoday.com
NJ’s Farmland Preservation Initiatives Get Much-Needed Funding–New Jersey’s farmland preservation program is getting a much-needed financial boost with the signing into law of a four-bill package to invest in retaining agricultural land. Gov. Chris Christie signed the package on Monday that invests $65.3 million into preserving farmland by allocating money to municipalities, counties, the state, and nonprofit groups to permanently set aside agricultural property. www.njspotlight.com