Atlantic City’s City Council has adopted an ordinance to enter into a lease on Bader Field with a company that wants to construct a recreational sports complex.
Bader Field is the city’s former municipal airport and one of the largest tracts of undeveloped land in the resort.
Though the ordinance was approved unanimously, Glen Straub—owner of the closed Revel casino—objected and hinted he might sue to block the plan, the Press of Atlantic City reported.
Bader Field Sports LLC, based in Midland Park, Bergen County, plans to build athletic fields and other amenities that would bring sports tournaments to the city. The sports complex is intended to be a temporary use for the property, according to the Press.
The city’s administration is now authorized to finalize a lease for the site. A draft lease agreement has the company paying the city 10 percent of the annual gross revenue generated on the property.
Straub asked council to postpone the vote and said he wants to include the site in in his proposed $500 million Phoenix Project designed to change the city from a gambling destination to a “city of recreation.” Straub claimed he could bring in $7.5 million to $10 million per year to the property, the Press reported.
“It’s not going to get resolved just here in council,” Straub said. “You’ll spend a lot more money in litigation.”
The ordinance was also briefly delayed due to some concerns from the state over the lease terms, but officials said those issues have been solved.
