‘Do Or Die’ For Atlantic City

This time of year always sparks reviews, previews, hopes, and expectations.  Atlantic City is one issue that will be under a very watchful eye in 2012.Atlantic City has been a hot button topic for some time now, as numbers and morale continue to sink and leave parties involved throwing their hands up in wonder of what to do next.

Governor Christie has made revitalizing the resort a priority, as he has pumped state money and resources into the area to improve safety, appearance, infrastructure, and marketing.

Up to this point, Atlantic City has been kind of given a pass on beginning to show results.  We have been sold on the dream and prospects of a dawning day.  That perception has bought time to put these new programs and initiatives into effect.

The reality is, though, every month revenues continue to slide, while crime and unemployment numbers are not improving.

Granted, some things need time to take hold, but there is a coming point where results are going to be needed.

David Matthau wrote today about a new website set up by the CRDA to help get feedback on ways to improve the area.

The studies are all of a part of a forthcoming Master Plan for the Tourism District that is slated to be in place by the beginning of February. From what I can gather, the goal is to hit the ground running this winter into spring leading up to the much-anticipated opening of the Revel Casino sometime in May.

The name, Revel, has been talked about as the holy grail and savior for this city, but it remains to be seen the impact the super-resort will have on Atlantic City.

It is January 4th, and these are only the first of many pieces written on the fate of Atlantic City.

For those who have read my stuff before, it is no secret that I am a big sports fan.  The Atlantic City situation has a lot of parallels to the New York Knicks for me.  For years, the Knicks cleared salary cap room and dealt with under performing with the promise of a day ahead with star players and championships.

Well, this year, after many years of getting a pass, the Knicks are expected to perform, much like Atlantic City will soon be asked to do.

As a life-time New Jerseyan, I would love to see AC transform into a Vegas-type destination right here in the Garden State.  I will admit I was down on the prospects of that, but the Governor and the CRDA have at least convinced me that there is a plan in place.

Now it becomes a matter of whether they can create that product that will draw not only keep state residents from traveling to places like Vegas, and enticing out of staters away from their own batch of resorts and casinos.

2012 will set the pace for Atlantic City's future.  It is surely a high stakes time for a high stakes town.