It seems like a longshot, but developer Glenn Straub says he can get Atlantic City’s former Revel Casino at least partially open by June 15.
Straub told the local Press of Atlantic City that he wants to get 40 percent of the property up and running for the summer.
The paper noted, however, that Straub would have to secure a host of municipal and state permits as well as being fully licensed by state gaming regulators in a very short time to make the self-imposed deadline. He would also need to sign contracts with companies that ran the property’s restaurants, shops and nightclubs.
Straub told the paper that he is close to finalizing a deal with a hotel and casino operator that already has an Atlantic City presence and licensed employees and executives. He did not name the two companies he is considering, however.
He also said he feels he doesn’t need to be licensed by state gaming regulators since he will simply be the landlord to the named casino operator. A spokesman for the state Division of Gaming Enforcement acknowledged that the division is working with Straub’s Polo North Country Club Inc.—the official entity that owns the property—on licensing, but would not comment on an ongoing investigation.
Still, any company would have to hire staff, receive licensing and begin marketing the property—a process likely to take longer than a month.
Polo North is also installing a large rope course trail at the site. Straub told the Press said his contract with Ropes Courses Inc. of Allegan, Michigan, requires the two-level, 35-foot-high Skytrail to be built and all staff trained by June 15.
Straub was engaged in a lengthy battle to take over the property from bankruptcy, which also included a protracted battle with the casino’s energy supplier. But all those matters have been settled, he said.
“We have been running for the last 2½ months—everything is up and running—the energy plant, water and everything,” said Straub.
