The Alternative Press

The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) Board today took action on key initiatives to bring a new Atlantic City forward. 

The Board approved a $6.1 million loan for the Steel Pier revitalization project. Steel Pier's owners plan to renovate and expand the historic attraction over three years to include new rides, midway and food court, add a restaurant/nightclub and turn it into a non-casino attraction that will be open nearly year-round. In addition, the Board voted to take initial steps to advance five new projects related to the Tourism District Master Plan which was approved earlier this month.

"This is a momentous day for Atlantic City," said CRDA Board Chairman James B. Kehoe. "Together, these initiatives will have a significant, positive impact on Atlantic City's future. We're honored to be part of this process and excited to be able to quickly begin to implement the Master Plan."

The projects include:

• A project to transform Michigan Avenue and Pacific Avenue into active, pedestrian oriented streets with restaurants, bars, bistros and nightclubs.
• The Inlet Beach Park Project, which would build on existing attractions such as Revel and Absecon Lighthouse and transform the Inlet district into a mixed-used area with open park spaces and education, research, retail and entertainment spaces.
• The Atlantic Avenue Façade Project, which aims to create a "Main Street" environment along Atlantic Avenue through renovation of storefronts, improved signage and graphics, traffic control improvements, and repurposing of upper level space for residential use, among other initiatives.
• The Flex Fields project  to create sport-oriented turf fields and landscaped sculpture gardens where no activity currently exists on the beach blocks from Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard to North Carolina Avenue.  This project would also provide activities such as sport tournaments throughout the year.
• The Boardwalk Innovation Pavilion concept, which would place corporate-sponsored, glass pavilions at specific locations along the Boardwalk to create additional interest. The Board also acted upon approvals to make Atlantic City cleaner.  The Board approved contracts to purchase trucks, a beach rake and over 900 new trash receptacles and recycling containers.  The receptacles and new recycling collection system will help attain the new clean City goals as well as save money through recycling.

"The CRDA and City as a whole have a lot to be proud of today," said John Palmieri, CRDA Executive Director.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents BARNUM BASH^SM introduces the Ringling Bros.^® Ringlettes, who are the stylish hosts of the swankiest circus party in town. The Ringlettes are ready to invite Children of All Ages in on the hippest circus spectacular that The Greatest Show On Earth^® has ever produced and is coming April 19-April 22, 2012 to Boardwalk  Hall in Atlantic City. Tickets are now on sale

The fun begins as soon as the audience enters Ringling Bros. Presents BARNUM BASH with a rockin’ Pre-show party happening directly on the arena floor. Party goers can learn fresh dance moves from Ringling Bros. clown DJ Dean, style in glitzy costumes, learn balancing and juggling skills, meet and take photos with circus stars, and even step behind the curtain for an exclusive backstage experience which includes an up-close look at the most exotic animal menagerie only at BARNUM BASH.

Ringling Bros. Presents BARNUM BASH has assembled the most amazing international acts including the Mighty Dmytrio, Motorcycle Mania, Epic Asian Elephants, Wheel of Steel, and Hand Balancers. All are tricked-out for the circus party and ready to perform wild feats of wonders and strength, to contemporary pop music and in 21^st century Barnum style. Everyone who is anyone is invited to the party, except Anton, a loveable, goofy hipster clown, who just wants to be part of the fun. Ringling Bros. Presents BARNUM BASH is all the rage with outlandish thrills, hilarious high-jinks and majestic animals, but can Anton, with his non-stop laughable antics, persuade us all that there’s not just one right way to party!?! 

The action at Ringling Bros. Presents BARNUM BASH begins an hour before show time at the Pre-show Party – FREE to all ticket holders.  One Ring. A Thousand Memorable Moments. Don’t miss this opportunity to get closer than ever to The Greatest Show On Earth! Get your tickets today!

Tickets range from $20-$80. A special $12 opening night offer is also available for the Thursday, April 19 performance at 7 p.m. To save 20% on non-VIP seats, customers can purchase tickets online with use of the customer code BHALL until Thursday, February 9. For more information, visit www.Ringling.com or visit us on Facebook.

All seats are reserved, and tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 800-736-1420 or at ticketmaster.com and at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office. For group rates and information, call 609-348-7023.

Once again, New Jersey residents and beach lovers everywhere will be asked to vote for their favorite beach in the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium (NJMSC), New Jersey Sea Grant and the Richard Stockton College Coastal Research Center’s 5^th Annual NJ Top Ten Beaches Poll.

Polling kicks off Tuesday, February 21 at noon at www.njtoptenbeaches.org. 

The Wildwoods’ beaches were voted best in New Jersey in the 2011 Top Ten NJ Beaches survey.  In addition to the #1 beaches ranking for the state of New Jersey, the Wildwoods were also named ‘Best Beach for Family Vacations,’ ‘Best Beach for Day Trips’ and ‘Best Beach for Ecotourism’. 

Poll participants are asked to choose their top beach destination in a variety of categories. New to the survey this year, voters will also be invited to take part in an additional simple, single-question poll that asks them to select which of the topics listed in the poll they believe will have the biggest impact on the future of coastal New Jersey. Also new is the opportunity to enter a special drawing for one of four Jersey Coast Prize Packages that celebrate New Jersey’s beaches and other area attractions.”. 

The Wildwoods have won the survey three times since the survey started in 2008.

“Voting begins on Tuesday, February 21, so we’re asking all of our loyal fans to vote for The Wildwoods’ FREE beaches,” explained John Siciliano, Greater Wildwood Tourism Improvement Development Authority executive director.  “Our beaches are the pride of The Wildwoods and we’re confident that 2012 will be another winning year.”

The Wildwoods’ beaches serve as the backdrop for spectacular events throughout the year including the Wildwoods International Kite Festival, the National Marbles Tournament, Monster Truck Races & Motocross Races on the Beach, Beach Soccer & Beach Lacrosse Tournaments, and many more.

In addition to its award-winning beaches, the Wildwoods are also home to a nationally-recognized Boardwalk – complete with amusement piers, water parks and arcades. The five-mile island also offers an abundant array of fishing and water-related recreational activities, golfing, shops, restaurants, ‘50s era “Doo-Wop” architectural tours and over 180 festivals and events throughout the year.