Nine months after signing landmark legislation at the site of an unfinished casino, Governor Chris Christie offered a progress report on the revitalization of Atlantic City.

At a press event in Atlantic City on Tuesday, Christie said he was “fairly happy” with the progress so far.

“I think we’re on the right path, but I’m certainly not ready to take a victory lap yet,” Christie said.

The sweeping legislation was designed to steer Atlantic City toward economic growth and prosperity. It was signed at the site of the Revel casino resort, which upon completion, would be the biggest property of its kind in the city.

Following the enactment of the law, the state would establish a Tourism District, streamline regulation of the casino industry, and invest in the Revel project, among other measures.

The Governor said there are a few benchmarks to be looked at when gauging the progress of Atlantic City’s revitalization.

“Benchmark number one is for the perception of AC to be both cleaner and safer, first and foremost,” Christie explained.

He said he believes the most progress has been made in that area.


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“I hear, already, from people locally that they do feel it’s safer in the Tourism District region now, and that it’s cleaner and more attractive,” Christie said.

Other benchmarks, according to Christie – making sure people don’t feel as though their tax money is being wasted, creating a greater ability to market Atlantic City attractions, and attracting new businesses.

As per the legislation, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority dollars would no longer be distributed throughout the state; they would be used for Atlantic City projects alone.

Christie said the state stepped in because there was no alternative.

He continued, “The alternatives to this were to allow Atlantic City to crumble. I wasn’t going to do that.”

The Governor said the state aims to make Atlantic City a nimble, aggressive competitor in the vacation, tourism and gaming marketplaces.

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