The plans for a family friendly waterpark on the Atlantic City boardwalk moved one step further this week. A public hearing was announced for July 2 concerning Endeavor Property Group plans for partial demolition and re-development of the former Atlantic Club Casino into a family resort hybrid on southern tip of the Boardwalk. ( See Announcement Below )
‘I support the waterpark plan. There’s still a void in the Atlantic City market for family entertainment’ said Frank Formica.
The Atlantic County Freeholder and a local business owner; Formica called into the Mark Berman WOND 1400am radio show on Saturday afternoon, June 27.
Formica continued: There are 1,000 plans with good intent. Only those with follow thru can succeed
Bart Blatstein’s re-development of The Playground was mentioned as a prime example of ‘follow-thru’. ‘More competition creates more of a market’ says Formica.
Atlantic City Waterpark Plan Goes to Next Step
A few examples of family friendly, non-gaming attractions in Atlantic City:
- Boardwalk Hall Light Show
- Live music at Kennedy Plaza
- Maroon 5 beach concert
- Go Karts at Central Pier
- Steel Pier amusements & observation wheel
- Mini-Golf at Kennedy Plaza
While AC has made significant strides in its diversification, some notable issues still exist that have slowed the re-invention of AC into a family friendly resort.
- Perception of rampant crime, even though facts show otherwise
- Bally’s Beach Bar with x rated lyrics blaring from speakers
- Ambassadors are not enough to ‘police’ the boardwalk.
- Random thugs approaching visitors with scams
- No centralized information & news authority
- Need for higher visibility of police / security presence
- Boardwalk LED screens not used as originally intended
- Beach & ocean views blocked by over-grown dunes
- Caesars charging $40 to park, creating ill-will
- Allowing a Casino to chase away Stockton College
- Casinos and harmful deed restrictions / heavy handed influence
- ACR Energy Partners ability to stall Revel re-development