Atlantic City eying more land for Gardner's Basin project

ATLANTIC CITY - City officials are trying to acquire a parcel of land that they say will make the Gardner's Basin expansion more attractive to developers.

Before putting out requests for proposals (RFPs) for the redevelopment of the basin, in the Northeast Inlet, to become more like Baltimore's Inner Harbor with retail and restaurants, the city wants to acquire Caspian Point - a 9.8-acre parcel, also known as the Kushner project, across New Hampshire Avenue.

"The mayor and City Council concluded that acquiring the Caspian Point piece of property before putting out an RFP makes sense, as it will allow a future developer to increase the size and scope of the project," Elizabeth Terenik, director of city planning and development, said this week. "For now, the Historic Gardner's Basin Foundation," which manages Gardner's Basin, "is looking to improve the operation and increase activities at the site."

Terenik said there was no timetable for the city to secure Caspian Point. But things are moving swiftly on the other piece of the project.

The Army Corps of Engineers soon will begin construction of a seawall to extend the Boardwalk to Gardner's Basin for the first time since a hurricane in 1944 damaged that section.

Jim Rutala of Rutala Associates L.L.C. of Linwood, which acts as consultant to the city on all grant-related projects, said a notice to proceed was issued last week by the corps to begin work on a $32 million first phase of the $50 million project.

Rutala said the corps recently awarded the contract for the work to J. Fletcher Creamer of Hackensack.

"The project is to extend the Boardwalk from Revel to Gardner's Basin, from Oriental to Melrose Avenues," Rutala said. Creamer is "doing their due diligence right now, including construction requirements. They will be starting soon and will work continuously to completion."

Terenik said completion for the Boardwalk expansion is targeted for late June 2016.

"Gardner's Basin has so much to offer regarding its location and scenic views," Mayor Don Guardian said. "We are making every effort to maximize its potential. This location is one of the most beautiful gems of Atlantic City."

The city owns the 22-acre Gardner's Basin. Eight acres are currently used by tenants. In an interview in February, Guardian said his vision was to add more shops and restaurants, expand the aquarium and amphitheater, and add a fishermen's park with shaded areas, to make it more of an all-day or all-weekend venue.

He also wants to lease or sell the remaining 14 acres to generate additional revenue for his cash-strapped city. Four casinos closed last year, drastically cutting into property-tax revenue.

Guardian said Gardner's Basin had the potential to mirror the Inner Harbor because both are similar in size, close to water, and walkable, with several hotels nearby.

At a hearing in Council chambers in March, a few hundred attendees saw a PowerPoint presentation by the city's consultant - Maser Consulting P.A. of Red Bank - on the redevelopment of both Gardner's Basin and Bader Field, another underutilized piece of land where the city wants more revenue and more visitation.

Among those at the hearing who offered suggestions for the basin was Stephen Molliver, 50, a strategic business planner based in Galloway Township.

Molliver said a water-taxi service or shuttle that started from Gardner's Basin and extended to other parts of the city would give existing and coming attractions more exposure to tourists.

"I still believe it's what Gardner's Basin needs," Molliver said Tuesday. "There are all kinds of opportunities. If Gardner's Basin is a hub or access point, it allows access to the casinos in the marina, or to other nearby attractions, such as the Edwin Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Galloway, or the Marine Mammal Stranding Center and Museum in Brigantine.

"You could also do a nature cruise or a shopping crawl," he said, "using access from Gardner's Basin to the new Playground" - an entertainment-dining-shopping complex on the Boardwalk being redeveloped by Bart Blatstein - "or the outlet shops at the Walk."

Councilman George Tibbitt said he was open to all ideas for making Gardner's Basin a success. The nine-member Council is considered the redevelopment entity of Atlantic City that is responsible for the development of all city-owned land.

"Gardner's Basin is one of the city's crown jewels," he said Tuesday night. "It's a very quiet, well-kept area.

"The city is looking to develop it as part of the future of Atlantic City. It has great potential for responsible development."