As Atlantic City tries to expand its non-casino attractions and diversify its appeal to tourists, some moves are underway which could lead to new amusements on the Boardwalk and substantially change the party atmosphere on the famous boards.
First, Atlantic City’s Council is considering a new policy that would allow Boardwalk strollers to carry open containers of alcoholic beverages. Supporters hope to emulate policies in other tourist areas—such a New Orleans’ Bourbon Street—by allowing bars and restaurants to sell signature drinks that can be carried onto the Boardwalk.
According to the Press of Atlantic City, visitors over 21 would be allowed to carry one alcoholic drink in an open plastic container in the Boardwalk tourist area. The drink must be purchased from a licensed beverage establishment adjacent to the Boardwalk and the container must bear the name or logo of that business, according to the ordinance.
The move was tabled at a council meeting last week, however, as City Council President Marty Small said beach-block businesses not on the Boardwalk want to comment on the policy, which could be expanded to cover all of the city’s tourist district.
“We got phone calls from several businesses that just wanted to be on the same page,” Small said according to the Press. “They wanted to be a part of the process, and we’ll invite them to a committee meeting soon to discuss this matter and then hopefully vote it out with everyone on the same page.”
Council also voted to name Philadelphia developer Bart Blatstein—owner of the closed Showboat casino—conditional developer of 3 city-owned acres between Showboat and the former Revel casino.
The measure allows Mayor Don Guardian’s administration permission to negotiate with Blatstein’s Tower Investments to sell the land, which was once a public-access volleyball court, according to the Press.
Blatstein has proposed a $40 million “multi-use event center” that will be part of Showboat. Officials said Blatstein has offered $1.9 million for the property, although Tower and the city can now negotiate a different price, according to the Press.
The site has gained the interest of other developers, including develop Glenn Straub’s Polo North Country Club Inc., which owns the former Revel site.
City officials, however, said Blatstein’s plan best fits with the city’s master plan to become a diverse destination resort, the Press said.
The resolution, however, does not commit the city to a sale to Blatstein.
Also, plans for a 350-Polercoaster and amusement complex on the Atlantic City Boardwalk have received environmental permits.
The Polercoaster is the main attraction in a proposed 110,000-square-foot amusement complex proposed on about one acre bounded by the Boardwalk, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Mount Vernon and Kentucky avenues.
A Coastal Area Facilities Review Act permit was issued in April, according to the Press.
Under the permit, the complex may include—a 2,000-square-foot car-drop ride; 4,300-square-foot rooftop surf club and wave pool; 1,000-square-foot air chamber/indoor skydiving ride; 1,800-square-foot “ninja climbing course”; 300-square-foot laser maze; 4,300-square-foot “Unicoaster ride”; 2,300-square-foot Cloudcoaster zipline ride; 1,000 square feet of retail space and 10,000 square feet of dining space
The CAFRA permit “is a critical permit for moving the project forward,” said attorney Nick Talvacchia, of Cooper Levenson, which represents New York-based developer ACB Ownership.
ACB has a pending application for tax incentives through the state Economic Redevelopment & Growth Program — another component critical to completing the Polercoaster, Talvacchia told the paper.
