Be optimistic.
That was the message of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small's State of the City address Thursday.
Small entered the Metropolitan Business and Citizens Association luncheon at the Golden Nugget as the "Great Day Choir" sang.
"Men, women and political opportunists lie, but the numbers and facts don't," Small said as he pulled out the latest numbers.
He talked of a debt of more than $500 million when he took office that has now decreased by more than $194 million.
That comes after a 10.2-cent tax decrease last year, and a sixth decrease in as many years set for this year, he said. The tax collection rate is at 97.45 percent.
Atlantic City's ratable base is up for the first time in a decade, he said.
The mayor highlighted several updates, including the long-awaited news that DEEM Enterprises presented the city with a commitment letter for its proposed $2.7 billion redevelopment plan for Bader Field.
That will be vetted by the city and state.
If it passes that process, the city will start working with DEEM on a redevelopment agreement.
The project could bring the city $100 million for the sale of Bader Field, and $15 million for the construction of a community recreation center in Atlantic City.
The Atlantic City Aquarium has a new reopening date.
March 24 is when the building is supposed to open.
Both the City Hall Courtyard project creating the Lt. Gov. Sheila Y. Oliver Plaza, and Pop Lloyd Stadium renovations are expected to be complete this spring.
This first of two dog parks in the city will open this spring at Altman Park.
Paving on Baltic Avenue from Maine to Missouri avenues and paving on MLK Boulevard from Mediterranean Avenue to Route 30 are both scheduled for this spring.
The next phase of Atlantic Avenue improvements, including the paving of Atlantic Avenue from Tennessee to Albany Avenues should be complete by the end of the year.
Crime is down by 8.6 percent in the last year, according to the Atlantic City Police Department.
Efforts to reduce crime include an increased police presence in high-crime areas as well as more officers patrolling the Boardwalk in the summer.
The Police Department is also committed to increasing patrols along Atlantic and Pacific avenues, and at Renaissance Plaza.
Installation is expected to be complete this year on Atlantic City’s multimillion-dollar citywide camera project.
The Atlantic City Fire Department will add two new apparatus to its fleet this year.
A new ladder and Boardwalk mini-pumper, along with eight new vehicles are coming to the Fire Department.
The Atlantic City Department of Public Works has six new Madvac vehicles serving each Atlantic City ward, plus a new sweeper, and will be upgrading its snow emergency fleet this year.
Public Works will also organize its fourth neighborhood Clean Communities program this summer.
The city officially launched its new website, a community-driven, grant-funded initiative connecting investors, visitors and residents.
The city is working with Lucky PR and Focused Studios to highlight the Small administration’s commitment to investing in the future.
The website highlights longtime residents, small-business owners and investors in hopes of helping Atlantic City’s economy grow.
The city’s Planning and Development department is starting a program to attract business growth along Atlantic Avenue while the City of Atlantic City is investing $500,000 for small and minority-owned businesses.
The Homeless Outreach team has helped more than 300 homeless individuals since last March get much needed services.
The team’s community aides sweep the Atlantic City Boardwalk and the city on a daily basis.
Atlantic City’s Community Block Grant Development Office is contributing $1.8 Million to mitigate homelessness in Atlantic City by 20 percent.
The city plans to continue its Hope Work Initiative in 2025 – a program which employs homeless individuals with the city’s Public Works Department.
BreakingAC will be reporting more details on the homeless outreach in the next days.
