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A.C. mayor: Summer full of fun, and save Stockton project

ATLANTIC CITY - Amid the tumult of layoffs, a busy Mayor Don Guardian declared a summer of entertainment, then vowed to try to save Stockton University's "island campus" project.

After declaring his beleaguered but resilient Boardwalk town the "entertainment capital of the Jersey Shore," Mayor Don Guardian said he was convening a meeting Friday to try to coax a settlement in the Stockton standoff.
After declaring his beleaguered but resilient Boardwalk town the "entertainment capital of the Jersey Shore," Mayor Don Guardian said he was convening a meeting Friday to try to coax a settlement in the Stockton standoff.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer

ATLANTIC CITY - Amid the tumult of layoffs, a busy Mayor Don Guardian declared a summer of entertainment, then vowed to try to save Stockton University's "island campus" project.

Guardian laid out an impressive to-do list for the season during a conference call with reporters Tuesday.

After declaring his beleaguered but resilient Boardwalk town the "entertainment capital of the Jersey Shore," Guardian said he was convening a meeting Friday to try to coax a settlement in the Stockton standoff.

Beyond that, he is overseeing 200 layoffs, mostly in the Fire and Recreation Departments, in an effort to plug a $100 million budget gap and persuade the state to ante up helpful legislation and aid.

Guardian said the meeting would include himself, Council President Frank Gilliam, and representatives of Trump Entertainment, former Showboat owner Caesars, and Glenn Straub, the new owner of the former Revel casino hotel nearby, who has signed an agreement to buy the Showboat property from Stockton, in part to siphon off power.

Stockton paid $18 million to purchase the former Showboat for the much-desired island campus, but ran into legal problems, followed by the departure of its president, Herman J. Saatkamp Jr.

Trump Entertainment, bankrupt owner of the Trump Taj Mahal, controlled by billionaire investor Carl Icahn, wants to enforce a 1988 covenant barring anything but a casino at Showboat.

Stockton, a publicly supported school, has also entered into a proposed $26 million sale of the property to Straub. Legislators have questioned if the Stockton transactions needed approval from the state comptroller.

Guardian said the city would bring everyone "around the table . . . to see if this project can be saved," either at Showboat or elsewhere in Atlantic City. "The city doesn't grow without the university," he said.

The City Council has twice tabled a vote to establish a university district around the Showboat, rezoning the property to prohibit its use as a casino. City officials have said they believe that action would trump any attempt by Trump Entertainment to enforce the covenant. Without a settlement, the city could open itself up to a legal challenge.

Amid the tumult, Guardian remained upbeat about his town's potential for a successful summer.

"We're simply worth the trip," Guardian said, citing 1,000 DJ sets planned, 84 headliners, live music, beach concerts, celebrity sightings, an air show, a seafood festival, increased hotel occupancy, fireworks, sporting events, an electronic dance music festival, plus "day life, nightlife, beach-bum life, people watching, free beaches."

"We are declaring Atlantic City the entertainment capital of the Jersey Shore," Guardian said. "We think we're the only ones with this claim."

Asked about touting entertainment for visitors while proposing significant cuts to the two departments, Guardian said the layoffs would not affect safety or other crowd issues this summer.

He said the city had hired 60 Class 2 police officers to augment its force, which has been outfitted with body cameras and other technology that has led to a "decrease in every measurable crime in Atlantic City."

"We couldn't be more proud of our police officers," he said. He said there were no arrests during last summer's two beach concerts, each of which attracted 60,000 people.

As for the Recreation Department, where the city has proposed laying off 42 of 50 employees, Guardian said the layoffs would not affect summer camps or other programs for the city's youth. He said that the same number of city youths would be hired to work in the camps and that partnerships would continue successful programs such as the Atlantic City Dolphins football and cheerleading programs and Art Dorrington hockey.

He said layoffs targeted part-time workers with full benefits, including Recreation Department employees who were paid with benefits to "watch the boilers" in five schools open after school hours.

Jeff Guaracino, executive director of the Atlantic City Alliance, a marketing group that has been targeted by lawmakers in legislation redirecting funds, said his organization had suspended DO AC advertising but was still promoting the city with social and other media.

"We're going to get through," he said. Last summer drew large crowds on the beach, Boardwalk, and hotels, but also had crushing coverage of three closings: Showboat, Revel, and Trump Plaza.

Guardian also highlighted casino projects such as Tropicana's $50 million renovation, which will feature a light-and-sound show on its Boardwalk facade; Borgata's new Festival Park, a 5,000-person outdoor music venue that will debut June 13 with the Hooters, G. Love, and Southside Johnny; and the Claridge's renovation, which features the island's largest art gallery and a new LGBT club, Club 11.

The city will again host two beach concerts, with acts to be announced. The beach concerts will feature free and paid tickets. Last year's concerts were free, though VIP tickets were given out for areas closest to the stage.

Guardian said the city was continuing to market itself to LGBT travelers and would again host SandBlast, a festival aimed at that demographic, from July 17 to 20. Smaller concert series will be held on the Boardwalk, and new music venues are planned for the Playground, the project at the Pier at Caesars by Bart Blatstein.

Ever the pitchman for his city, Guardian touted iconic neighborhood joints such as the White House Sub Shop, Tony's Baltimore Grille, the Wonder Bar, A.C. Bar & Grill, and the Irish Pub, as well as newer places such as Perfectly Innocent Amusement Co., Back Bay Ale House, the Iron Room, Bungalow's, Vagabond Tap Room, Tony Baloney's, Wingcrafters, and the Ducktown Tavern.

There will be two days of fireworks over the Fourth of July weekend. Guardian also cited improved Boardwalk lighting, free charging stations, and WiFi.

"We're ready to welcome the masses," he said.