Casino Connection Atlantic City

A Boon for the Boards

How 30 years of gaming has transformed Atlantic City’s most treasured landmark

by Lisa Johnson

Billions have been invested in Atlantic City since that first high roller’s toss of the dice, and Atlantic City’s famous Boardwalk is a beneficiary. In 2006, the Atlantic City Boardwalk Revitalization Project was approved as part of a $99 million bond issue from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. Redevelopment and beautification projects include:

• The $90 million renovation of Boardwalk Hall. The CRDA engaged Historic Building Architects LLC for design standards. New storefronts feature brick, stucco, cupolas and new rooflines.

• The renovation of the Brighton Park fountain.

• Renovations of the 1500 block between Kentucky and New York avenues and the 2500 block between Texas and Bellevue, along with a new band shell and stage at Kennedy Plaza.

• Construction is currently under way at the 3000 block between Chelsea and Morris avenues, the 2600 block between California and Texas avenues, and the 1400 block between New York Avenue and St. James Place. It should be completed by summer.

• The CRDA has engaged architectural and engineering firms to design new facades for the Ritz, Child’s restaurant, Jersey Joe’s Arcade, and street-ends between the 2600 and 2500 blocks of the Boardwalk at Texas Avenue. The city and merchants will include outside landscaping, lighting and seating areas.

• The CRDA will also coordinate designs for the beach side of the Boardwalk after meeting with city officials and the community.

With the tax dollars they generate for improvements, the casinos through the CRDA have provided diversified experiences for Boardwalk visitors including the Pier Shops, the House of Blues and the Tropicana Quarter and themed family venues like Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, Rain Forest and Planet Hollywood.

Smaller private investors such as Sigano’s Management Group have added restaurants and attractions alongside the casinos. The result: a broad market mix that is attracting not only visitors, but new tenants.

And with $10 billion in planned redevelopment across the city—including two new casino hotels on the Boardwalk—the historic Wooden Way is looking better and better.