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ATLANTIC CITY — Mayor Lorenzo Langford identified 12 priorities necessary for the city to remain competitive as a top tourist and gaming destination Tuesday at a rare meeting of city stakeholders.

Langford organized the summit of casino executives, public officials and neighborhood representatives as Atlantic City tries to emerge from an economic slump amid increased competition from other states that have broken the resort’s regional monopoly on casino gaming.

The mayor would not discuss his goals after the hour-long meeting Tuesday, but The Press of Atlantic City obtained a list the mayor distributed to those in attendance. The priorities ranged from broad resort problems such as crime, unemployment and blight to specific initiatives such as synchronizing traffic signals and demolishing abandoned city buildings.

Langford said he also solicited ideas for other priorities and concerns from each person in attendance and sought feedback on how to narrow them down to a few attainable goals.

“I probably spoke more than anyone, but I did a lot of listening, too,” the mayor said in an interview after the meeting in his conference room at City Hall.

But the meeting’s primary accomplishment, Langford said, was a unanimous conclusion: “Yes, we should work together; yes, we are going to work together.”

The high-profile summit scheduled earlier this month was the first of what could become a bi-weekly event, with the next tentatively scheduled for Dec. 8 at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

Those in attendance Tuesday — including Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce President Joseph Kelly, Casino Control Commission Chairwoman Linda M. Kassekert and the heads of several operating and potential city casinos — are expected to return to next month’s meeting with a concise list of priorities, a list requested by Langford as a “homework assignment.”

Before the meeting ended, Langford asked each stakeholder present whether there was anyone missing from the group that should be at the next meeting. Langford said there were suggestions, but only specified one. He said a representative of Gov.-elect Chris Christie will be invited to the next meeting.

The city administration organized Tuesday’s summit after Kevin DeSanctis, CEO and president of Revel Entertainment Group, issued a near-ultimatum that cooperation among the city’s stakeholders must start now to save the city and its faltering economy.

The incoming Revel Entertainment is working to secure $1 billion in financing to complete its $2 billion megaresort, which is scheduled to open in 2011. The company is building only the exterior of the casino hotel as it looks to stretch out the cash it has on hand. Interior work will resume once the rest of the funding is in place.

Meanwhile, the rest of the city’s casino industry has already suffered a 13.5 percent decline this year and the city is facing a 2010 deficit of at least $25 million.

DeSanctis emerged from Tuesday’s meeting pleased and said the cooperation among the group was promising.

“They all see that Atlantic City has to move in a forward motion,” he said.

Mark Giannantonio, president of Tropicana Casino and Resort, said the summit could be a watershed event as Atlantic City seeks to rebuild its economy and recover from a three-year slump in the gaming industry.

“I certainly feel that with our gaming market suffering a bit, I’ve never seen this level or spirit of cooperation,” he said. “I truly believe it could be a defining moment for the city and the people who work in the city.”

“The bottom line is, we’re going to be a better city as a result of it, no question,” he said. “In my mind, the last thing we can do is nothing.”

Representatives of the state Legislature — state Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, and Assemblymen Vince Polistina and John Amodeo, both R-Atlantic — said their focus is to draft legislation to attract capital to the city.

Polistina said he wants to target the portions of casino revenue that go to the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. The state agency redistributes that money to improve Atlantic City and other projects that qualify throughout the state. The assemblyman said the CRDA law needs to be rewritten to ensure that money stays in Atlantic City, which is a goal of the new Christie administration as well.

Giannantonio said Atlantic City remains the nation’s second-largest casino market and is strategically located within a three-hour drive of 30 million to 40 million people in the heavily populated Northeast. However, the city is feeling pressure from rival slot parlors in surrounding states.

“Part of the problem is, we went from being a monopoly to not enjoying a monopoly,” Giannantonio said. “We need to get people more familiar with the Atlantic City brand and give them more reasons to come down here. We have a beautiful beach and our Boardwalk should be one of the greatest destinations on the Eastern Seaboard, but right now it isn’t.”

Staff writer Donald Wittkowski contributed to this report.

Contact Michael Clark:

609-272-7204

Michael.Clark@pressofac.com

23 comments:

• THATSINSANE (238) posts 2:47 pm

  WOW! I agree with "ACNEEDSCHANGE" about 99%. Where I disagree with him/her is where they "can take that crap" to. I suggest they "take that crap" to LINWOOD, NORTHFIELD and ABSECON. Pleasantville already has more than it's fair share of it.

• therooster (3) posts 1:32 pm

  Why wasn't the SID invited? They are the only ones who keep the city clean, mow the parks and keep them green, fix up building storefronts and provide a security presence on the Boardwalk. Goes to show how much Langford dislikes the SID or just doesn't care at all. Sure let's invite someone from Christie's team, but leave out the SID? Give me a break. If the City did a quarter of the work that the SID does AC would look a whole lot better in a hurry.

• BernieSchwartz (645) posts 8:36 pm

  Tick..tick..tick.. The rot still persists and expands.

• southjersey (240) posts 7:57 pm

  Bobstake Nope they dpnt need to hire more people, they need to make the lazy cell phone talking always eating coffee drinking ones DO THEIR JOB. THEY ARE FOR THE MOST PART: THE LAZIEST FOLKS I HAVE EVER SEEN. Watch them and you will see exactly what I mean.

• Bobstake (246) posts 6:36 pm

  Langford is grand standing. He is a fraud. He could simply start the process by hiring more Police & Public Works people, and getting them on the streets & boardwalk. This will clean up the City in more ways than one. He needs to stop paying people to play politics with him. Make the Police more visible and put the k-9 units back on the streets. Make things easier for the Casinos to operate, and get out of the way!

• acneedschange (3) posts 3:27 pm

  I've followed the boards for some time, and only recently decided to start posting. I bought a second home 4 years ago, and the value has fallen in half as the city has fallen downhill. Three generations of my family have spent significant time in the city, and here are some points to consider: 1. This mayor has no right to give anyone a "homeowrk assignment." He's clearly in the tank for his friends and to fatten his bank account. 2. The casinos should ante up so to speak, and spend the money necessary to fund either the police, or ample private security to clean up their footprint, which I see as the boards, and at least three blocks deep off the boardwalks. 3. Folks like spiritual awakening are the reason the city has been perpetually screwed. In stead of acknowledging real issues, they spin arguments back into their own religious beliefs, and allow the weak minded to accept less as long as "god is in the room." I'm sure you are a kind caring person, and your beliefs help strengthen you. Unfortunately, people who speak in the name of god usually are cloaking selfish interests, and it gets in the way of the greater good. 4. The city only has 40,000 residents, but has an enormous base of revenue based off the entertainment industry. Sorry, but all the public assistance stuff needs to go, and anyone who is getting a government handout or public housing should be drug tested immediately. No clinics, free or otherwise, should be allowed in AC proper. Take it to the suburbs. 5. A real plan to clean the city needs to be enacted fast. Whether by eminent domain, or by code, or whatever, the sleeze needs to go. Make everything need to conform to a certain aesthetic. The mindset should be a family and their children should feel safe walking the streets day or night. This also means a constant patrol and police presense. Most important....I don't think the city government, now, or ever, will be capable as curretnly constructed to make this happen. The state needs to step in, put in someone credible, not just a crony, who could step in and make things happen. Langford will never go against his constituents. The council is filled with felons and cheats. The folks who elected them cant go against them out of either fear, ignorance, or the basic necessity for the jobs and other extras having their friends in office provides. You know what...take that crap to Pleasantville or somewhere else. If this doesn't change, the casinos will leave...and go somewhere that citizens live year round. If PA legalizes table games, the Philadelphia Waterfront is highly likely to be a hotspot year round. If liberty island (next to the statue of liberty) is opened, there goes the New Yorkers. Change has to happen today, or it will be too late. Instant action Mr. Christie!!!!

• BernieSchwartz (645) posts 2:56 pm

  It'sbeen one day since the summitt. Notice anything different? Me either. You must physically do something to change, talking never cleaned up an eyesore (and we have plenty of them). They only people at the meeting without money on their minds is the neighborhood assocoation reps., the rest are in it for themselves, they've proven this over thirty years. It doesn't take a genious to fix the City, just someone who is honest. Bad idea #12,034- Holocaust memorial on Boardwalk.

• acchelsea (0) posts 2:48 pm

  It looks like the Mayor and Councilman Marsh are asking Mr. DeSanctis for a loan to pay back the taxpayers of AC!

• scorpio08401 (57) posts 1:31 pm

  B4Real....you mentioned "follow the master plan." What a novel idea! Oh, by the way, which of the last 7 master plans would you like to follow?

• B4real (371) posts 1:01 pm

  If I were Mayor I'd fire everyone in City Hall and outsource Everything to competent companies through competitive bidding. I'd also knock down all the housing projects, do away with section 8, close down the free needle giveaway, close down the rescue mission, run out the bums, winos, drug dealers, drug users, ugly hookers, get rid of the cats using the beach as a litter box, deport all illegal aliens, have code enforcement stop illegal house conversions, drug test everyone on welfare and in city hall, send any kids not getting at least a C average to bootcamp. Plant grass on all the vacant lots. Have cops walking the streets. Renegotiate all these golden contracts within city hall. Stop the lawsuits. Follow the Master Plan. If the demographics of the city stay the same, A.C. has a dark future.

• Barry McSame (136) posts 12:48 pm

  Then Speedy says, "Yo, Kev, how bout ya get da mayor and me some tix to the Radio City Christmas Show? Hmmm? Six would be great, and maybe a town car to take us there? The ladies would looooove that, kno watum sayin? Heh heh. Hmm?" The mulitifarious mayor pipes up, chin in hand, almost mumbling, like a black Ed Sullivan emceeing, "We'd sure expedite those hi-priority items ya mentioned, y'know?" His eyes scan the room as he talks sideways to the coarsened casino suit. "That mass of unpulchritudinous flesh, Armstrong, well, we gotta get out from under, know what ahm sayin'? Me and Barry O we tight, thass jes' 'tween you n me and the councilman here. Barry's wife and I were in the same sorority at Rutgers, we go way back. And she no ho, no way!" He stepped back as if he'd said something portentous, with a presumed intimacy the suit found off-putting, but Kev was too flummoxed to come out from behind his tight grin. Which one's wearing the wire, he wondered? Best to assume they each are, possibly for different agencies, and unbeknownst to each other, most likely. "First one who rolls, he's the winner," they each knew from their jailed homies. Speedy picked up the slack, "Soon we'll have a new councilman and we can give Revel the attention it deserves. Everyone's on noard. You jes gotta keep up your end with me and da mayor, know watum sayin'? Thass all. We tight then."

• kin2love (118) posts 12:02 pm

  There is no point arguing with someone like Nunya. People who generalize, stereotype, and make such irrational statements(implying that someone is a couch potato based SOLEY on their opinion sadly reflects that your thought process is irrational and low-grade)will NEVER understand the compassionate side of life. People like Nunya, who do not have the itelligence to verify facts BEFORE making a statement, are lost in their own world. It's quite hilarious, Nunya screams "I'm a TAXPAYER!"...all the while entertaining us with his silly, juvenile comments....FOR FREE! Ironic dont ya think????

• Nunya- (155) posts 9:34 am

  Spirit, Oppostion can also derail any progress, just because YOU want something for nothing. Are you a taxpayer, or are you just like Speedy. I pray also, right now I'm praying that you get off the couch, get a JOB, and stop holding AC hostage to YOUR peoples greed. gimme gimme gimme minez. for real for real

• weisenthal (293) posts 9:22 am

  Cristie ought to send the Attorney General. I see a couple of crooks in the picture with DeSanctis. Start the program against blight by arresting them.

• spritual awakening (8) posts 9:14 am

  No plan is going to work without God in it. Sometimes in this world we look at what will benefit the agenda instead what will work for everyone. As leaders we have to remember who place us in the position (which is God) and we will have to answer him one day. Any plan to exclude anyone because of any status whether it is personal or not is wrong. Stakeholders include private citizens and residents some people may forget and personally desire to exclude that ofcourse. Sometimes we do not like opposition because we desire to have things our own way. Opposition brings us a balance... and it should be welcomed. However, please pray and put God first in this.

• spritual awakening (8) posts 9:14 am

  No plan is going to work without God in it. Sometimes in this world we look at what will benefit the agenda instead what will work for everyone. As leaders we have to remember who place us in the position (which is God) and we will have to answer him one day. Any plan to exclude anyone because of any status whether it is personal or not is wrong. Stakeholders include private citizens and residents some people may forget and personally desire to exclude that ofcourse. Sometimes we do not like opposition because we desire to have things our own way. Opposition brings us a balance... and it should be welcomed. However, please pray and put God first in this.

• Lestat (41) posts 9:05 am

  All these rocket scientists rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic? Safety is a prime issue and was the chief of police invited? Opps... that's right Langford hates cops.."The Press" is the prime mover in the area news media..was the editor publisher invited for his thoughts for action? Nope. Frank Formica the Atlantic City success story and the next political heavy hitter? Nope...and on and on...Some and I emphisize only some of the same hacks and posers are on Langfords A list are part of the problem not the solution. Only DeSanctis and his concepts may be the answer but will the city politics screw that up too? The track record isn't a good one now is it....

• PWOOD (1) posts 8:44 am

  Now that all the money and fortune is gone from the "Good Times", there is concern? Where are all the promises of a beautiful, safe Atlantic City we were all promised many years ago when gaming was first introduced? Sorry, but it is probably too late to attract all the people you lost and who will now game at the reservations and all the new casino venues popping up all over the surrounding areas.

• suave64 (51) posts 8:22 am

  They should not get respect. Unions are a parasite on all business and exist to collect dues to perperate their existence. One look at the American auto industry in depth should answer that question now and in the future. They have outlived their reasons for being and its time they fade into the woodwork. When they sold out future membership a a few contracts ago in lowering their hourly pay scale, that was the beginning of the end. And tell me, what does the term, "Buy American" really mean anymore? If you bought a Chrysler product this year, it was most probably made in Canada or south of the border. If you bought a Toyota, Honda, or Hyundai, it was probably made by Americans in Kentucky, Ohio or Alabama, all non-union car manufacturers in the south. Wake up citizens, we don't need unions!

• beHonest (37) posts 8:19 am

  Yes, can't comment on the 12 things because he will not be doing any of them. Liek fire corrupt friends and family, stop creating unnecessary positions for friends and family, stop giving self and friends and family hundreds of thousands in tax money not entiled to. Where was the talent leaders who showed good new initatives for the city and choose to run against you they don't count because of langfraud's ego!!! Langfraud is full of summit!

• executioner1 (307) posts 8:03 am

  31 years late. Moron.

• WIZARD (24) posts 5:23 am

  Amazing, again Labor is not invited to the table, maybe one day AC will realize that it takes more than their money and ideas to get things done. this whole deal is a slap in the face to all Labor involved in the Casino industry.... Will they ever get respect......

• scorpio08401 (57) posts 11:15 pm

  Mayor Langford you are right on target! If ALL organizations in the city actually worked WITH each other rather than AGAINST each other there is no limit to what can be accomplished. It is time to check everyone's ego at the door and solve the city's problems with programs of inclusion rather than exclusion. A partnership of public and private organizations is the only way to succeed. Let's try to forget race vs. race, ward vs. ward, casinos vs. non-casino, and public vs. private. UNITY is the key. Let's re-focus all the negative energy and attacking each other to POSITIVE energy. Let's see how long we can keep the positive energy flowing. Stay on track and God bless Atlantic City. Happy Thanksgiving.

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