ATLANTIC CITY OFFICIALS SEEK CITIZENS HELP

On Tuesday afternoon at the Uptown School Complex in Atlantic City, a Town Hall was held with the purpose of asking residents what their ideas are to revitalize this resort town. 

Mayor Frank Gilliam Jr., along with other city officials have opened these spaces for conversation across many areas in Atlantic City to give residents a chance to pitch their ideas. 

Inside the gymnasium, multiple tables were placed with the purpose of opening the conversation of various topics such as economic development, local government, public safety, land use, affordable housing and others. 

Before the groups were dispersed into the tables, Gilliam briefly addressed the public. He spoke of up and coming projects that will soon be erected in different areas in the city. Some of those initiatives include more bike lanes, LED lights and “blue boxes” that will be able to communicate directly with the ACPD in case of emergency throughout different areas on Pacific Ave. 

Gilliam also mentioned how the CRDA has given over $1 million for demolition purposes outside the tourism districts as well as $1.8 million for revitalizing the Atlantic City Aquarium. 

Applause rose throughout the gymnasium after these announcements were made, however, not everyone was satisfied with these projects. 

Resident, Michelle Griffin, expressed her displeasure about where the Mayor’s focus is. “I don’t understand how they [city officials] come to these meetings and discus roughly 10 things that they have spent millions of dollars on; and yet they haven’t mentioned anything about the youth.” 

“You can’t build a future unless you support the youth.” said Griffin “We live surrounded by bodies of water and yet almost 80% of these kids don’t even know how to swim. There hasn’t been lessons in schools for years.”  

In terms of the escalating property taxes in Atlantic City and its effect on the rent market; the topic of affordable off-campus housing for Stockton students was asked to Mayor Frank Gilliam Jr.   

“I think that the best way we can address that is making sure the city itself has properties in our own caucus, we can lend ourselves to those students” said Gilliam. “We want to make sure we have the development that allows us to basically lower our taxes.” 

Earlier in the summer, Vans Warped Tour brought thousands of people to the beaches of the shore town for a whole weekend as part of the Atlantic City Summer Beach Concert series. We asked the Mayor how events like these bring in generous amounts of revenue and if it were possible to set aside part of that income for tax relief purposes. 

“That is always an option...” said Gilliam “entities that come into the city that are benefactors of Atlantic City should come in and cut a check to help us with some of our tax woes.”

However, Gilliam mentioned how the city is currently not generating enough revenue to support these initiatives, but he claims it is amongst his agenda.