Everywhere I go people are asking me about Atlantic City. "Are the stories true?" The funny thing is...the farther I am from Atlantic City the worst the stories retold to me seem to be.
Now I am not burying my head in the sand....AC is not the AC it was when I graduated high school.
However AC is still the east coast's playground if not the world's. This article will focus on what's still great and how we can maximize what we have to our best and future interests.
5 REASONS WHY ATLANTIC CITY IS STILL HERE! AND SHOULD NOT GO ANY WHERE!
5. We Still Have Great Casinos That We Love and Love AC Back!
Properties like Resorts are still investing heavily in their gaming and resort business.
In the case of Resorts and Harrah's they have also spent millions on developing CONVENTION business!
In the case of The Borgata and Tropicana...these properties are spending millions to enhance their already thriving night life business!
4.We've Got Space Ready To Do Business Already!
Dear AC politicians and people in power!
I have 3 words for YOU!
DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT
We have prime properties. Beach front properties that are already, ready, already!
Get on the phone. Get from behind your desks. Visit some great home offices for major companies and come home with some deals and some jobs and some revenues and some new HAPPY tax payers!
While you are doing that! Have your reps go seek out small businesses that need some space and opportunity! Atlantic Ave is a mess and with few exceptions a down right embarrassment!
I am not against stores selling incenses and phones (I do business with them myself.)
However residents 30 and over will remember when Atlantic Avenue had stores that were classy and important! Bring back shoes stores, and men and women's clothiers to Atlantic Avenue!
It can be done...but it will require heavy lifting. Making deals, tax breaks, better lighting, cleaner streets. However it can be done. And it's better than just saying..."But Look At The Walk."
3.We Got The Beaches
People still come here during the summer time and sometimes through out the year...just to enjoy this scene right here. Water and sand and cool breezes. We have beaches that are great for families, beach bars for adults and lonely stretches of shore where you can sit on your own and think.
2. The Boardwalk....
When the boardwalk was fun...there was no other feeling like it.
This is where I will be brutally honest!
With assets like the boardwalk....greed comes into play with what is plaguing AC!
I know the boardwalk at one time was prime real estate and in my mind will always be.
However, the owners there do not need be priced out. And the cost of operating should not be so ludicrous that KFC, and other family friendly businesses and restaurants can't afford to be on the boardwalk.
I am not saying give the boardwalk away...I am saying make doing business on the boardwalk competitive.
As a single man I still shop at a couple of cool boardwalk stores...but they are still in business despite AC red tape, taxes and greed. Keep in mind the towns' business goes as the weather goes and parking in AC is a joke...(only Philly's is worse.)
1. Reason AC is Still Great.....OUR PEOPLE!!!
Atlantic City's key WEALTH has always been the people. Whether born here, moved here or moved a town or two over, AC still has wonderful people that make it great!
WE have to do a much better job of helping them HELP our Community.
I could not name them all but for right now let's give thanks to a few people.
Coach Eugene Allen-As head coach of The ACHS Viking Boys Basket Ball team, Allen has changed the culture. The culture had always been about winning ON THE COURT. Today thanks to Allen that culture of WINNING extends to the class room , college and life! His former players are now coming back to help AC youth!
Marc Berman-Radio Personality Marc Berman is one that migrated to our area and has not stop talking to anyone who will listen about our city. Even if you don't listen, Berman will talk about the great places to eat , stay and play here in AC anyway!
Anne Rosenberg-Mrs.Rosenberg has been investing her time into the arts community here in AC for decades.
Ralph Hunter-The curator of The Black History Museum at The Noyes Arts Garage has been teaching the world about the lives and importance of people of color. Today his space in AC boasts exhibits that rival those found at NY's Schomburg.
I could go on all day.
Atlantic City is still here. AC is not going anywhere!
What kind of Atlantic City we will have in the next 10 years is still not clear!
Whether people will do the work to enhance what is here...or whether it will continue to stumble in to the middle part of this century...is a call I cannot make yet.
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