Seeking Solutions With Suzanne

In the 1960’s, Atlantic City was going through a major lull in tourism. But the advent of legalized gambling in 1976 breathed new life into an otherwise dying town.
The construction of The Borgata began in 2000 and took three years to complete.
The Atlantic City Museum, founded in 1884, was established to “encourage the acquisition, preservation, and appreciation of Atlantic City history through museum exhibits, educational outreach and various programs.”

Check out the future of Atlantic City for yourself, and visit the Borgata Hotel’s official website.
Atlantic City Online is a “reference for visitors and locals featuring events, weather, casino information, history, lodging, and more.”
The Atlantic City Historical Museum is “committed to preserving the rich history of this one-of-a-kind seaside resort.” Visit its website to learn more about the current exhibits.

Atlantic City: The Rebirth

at 11:55AM, 1:55PM, and 3:55PM

While today’s Atlantic City is the weekend hot spot for a new generation of twenty-somethings, it is a very different place than the abandoned vacation destination it had become a mere 40 years ago. What happened to the big-band bustle of this infamous town, and can it ever be the same as it was? Suzanne visited this ocean-side getaway to find out for herself.

The End of an Era

The 1960’s were an extremely tough period for this once-thriving shore resort. With more and more people opting to hop on a flight to more “exotic” locales, or jump into the swimming pools in their own backyards…tourism hit an all time low in Atlantic City.
Likewise, the urban areas of the town were neglected, and where luxurious hotels once stood was now nothing more than dilapidated housing projects. The domino effect only worsened. With a lack of tourism, those employed in the nightclubs and hotels were left without jobs.

Illegal gambling had been taking place in the backrooms of hotpots like the 500 Club for decades. Would the introduction of legalized gambling be the shot in the arm this forgotten town needed? In 1974, the first introduction of legal gambling failed to ignite a spark in Atlantic City. But the second attempt in 1976 was an entirely different story! The Casino Gambling Referendum breathed new life into Atlantic City. Betty D’Andrea, Pit Manager for Resorts International, recalls people standing in line waiting to get into the casinos, and the excessive cash flow being more than the management could handle at times. The introduction of new entertainment and showgirls added a Las Vegas-style glamour to the casinos. With the construction of new casinos, hotels and restaurants, thousands of new jobs became available.

The Effects of The Tourism Boom

Although casino money has helped to renovate the Boardwalk and construct more than 1200 houses and apartments throughout the city, many critics have argued that too much money goes right back into the casinos and not into the revitalization of the surrounding areas. Casino development has, in itself, exacerbated the problem to an extent. According to a 1999 “National Planning Conference” website, the construction of casinos and increase in tourism has inflated property values and in turn, property taxes. Some low-income homeowners have not been able to afford this increase in property taxes, and have pushed out of their housing.

The Future Of Atlantic City

In 2003, The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa was the first new casino to be opened in Atlantic City in thirteen years. With its 43 stories, impressive blown-glass light fixtures and top-of-the-line technological advances, the Borgata has attracted a fresh influx of younger visitors. Bob Boughner, CEO of the Borgata predicts a rebirth and expansion of Atlantic City in the years to come. And with the Atlantic City of today being almost unrecognizable compared to the Atlantic City of 40 years ago, the town is well on its way.