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Editor's Note: How would you re-develop Atlantic City's Bader Field? Casinos, condos, recreation, marinas or...? You've got ideas; share them! Describe it, sketch it or photoshop it for our audience. Use story commenting, below, to describe your ideas or email your concepts to michael.clark@pressofac.com

ATLANTIC CITY - Slowly, but surely, Mayor Lorenzo Langford is letting people inside his head.

The mayor met with top members of his staff and administration Wednesday and revealed his plans for Bader Field, a 143-acre city-owned parcel that has gonefrom a property destined for a bidding war into a vacant airport attracting zero interest.

The city placed the site on the market in October, but failed twice to draw offers in a public bidding process. On Tuesday, the city closed the process without any bids, with most officials citing the sagging economy and credit markets.

Enter Langford, who has been fighting to play a more active role in controlling Bader Field. But few know where the mayor is coming from.

He told The Press of Atlantic City in May that he has had talks with two interested developers, but he has refused to discuss their identities. The most he will say is they have some connection with casino gaming.

Kevin Hall, a Langford spokesman, said the mayor discussed his proposal Wednesday with him, Business Administrator Michael Scott, City Solicitor Robert Tarver, two other Langford staffers and someone in the city's Health and Human Services Department. Hall said Langford held the meeting to assign certain tasks to everyone involved in preparation for a meeting with City Council President William Marsh on Monday.

"It's very exciting," Hall said.

Marsh has been separated from City Hall for months since he checked into the hospital with colitis. He has since been released from the hospital, and Hall said he is due back at work Monday. Marsh did not return a call seeking comment.

Upon meeting with Marsh, a longtime friend of Langford's, Hall predicted the mayor would expand his discussions to other City Council members and their Bader Field Committee. He said he expects that to come in the days after Monday's meeting. Then, just maybe, the public will learn his plans, Hall said.

City Council ultimately controls the sale or lease of resort land. However, any Bader Field offer approved by council must also be finalized by the state's Local Finance Board, an unusual requirement enforced by legislation sponsored by state Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, the city's former mayor.

E-mail Michael Clark:

Michael.Clark@pressofac.com

12 comments:

• bbrudon (1) posts 9:42 pm

  I realize that A.C. is not actually family friendly but....having grown up in A.C. and now having a family of my own(although not currently living in A.C.), I still dare to hope that there may be something for kids(other than activities that only a select few, chosen groups can benefit from) to do in the city. So how about trying to make the site look appealing to a business that will fit in with the current family friendly businesses in that area(Flyers skate zone and the ball field, which needs some help). How about an indoor/outdoor venue such as waterpark,paintball,lazer tag, kayak /canoe/paddleboat rentals, go carts, climbing walls, mini golf, arcades etc. The AC boardwalk is a far cry from a family friendly resort. People from all over the Atlantic County area would come for this kind of family activity. But of course the city will not make this property affordable enough to appeal to a family based venue. Only casinos will do for "The Playground of the World".

• Mr_609 (43) posts 10:45 am

  I have an idea... How about a Jr. High! Or a Supermarket that doesn't charge you twice the price as the stores offshore!

• Republican4Mayor (212) posts 5:54 pm

  Are you aware that Ed Klein of Klein Construction and Dennis Levinson our County Executive (whom are BOTH registered Republicans) are supporting our Democratic Mayor For Reelection in November? If is smells like fish, IT IS FISH!!!!

• Jamesy (80) posts 5:52 pm

  Colitis and City Council...confirms the fact they are all full of $#^%.

• Murphy10 (20) posts 11:36 am

  I sincerely hope that when this process begins, the State Attorney or the US Attorney's Office monitors each and every facet of the process....because WE all know Langford and his cronies will have their collective hands out hoping to get rich - YET - again on the backs of taxpayers. The prior posting has it right...is the best and brightest the city has to offer? No wonder Atlantic City is like a third world country.

• executioner1 (304) posts 9:49 am

  Sounds like section 8 housing and a 7 eleven to me.Nice supermarket and movie theaters in A.C.. There are none.The boardwalk is a joke and the crime is ridiculous. Do they even have a police force? Why would any future investment come to this ghetto? The A.C. politicians are bush league at best and bring zero to the table.

• executioner1 (304) posts 9:49 am

  Sounds like section 8 housing and a 7 eleven to me.Nice supermarket and movie theaters in A.C.. There are none.The boardwalk is a joke and the crime is ridiculous. Do they even have a police force? Why would any future investment come to this ghetto? The A.C. politicians are bush league at best and bring zero to the table.

• dave202 (80) posts 8:46 am

  Part and parcel of Langford's plan is a way to get around the approval of the state legislature, I assume. No one in Trenton will let him piss this site away, so there's going to be some shenanigans that will technically allow him to develop it without the OK of the legislature.

• Chumley (165) posts 8:23 am

  The big Langford secret. O Boy! I can't wait to hear what it is. It's gotta be good. Hmmm, is it Low Income Housing ? Is it a Golf Course ? Is it bigger than a bread box ?

• beHonest (37) posts 8:05 am

  "I am only going to run one more term." So I can fleece the city of its last gem and get a mutli-million dollar no show job with those, who I am helping steal Bader Field. Know you know why there are thank you's on my posters.

• BernieSchwartz (645) posts 7:44 am

  I'm glad AC has it's best and brightest on the case. What a sad joke. When is the City going to do something to stop the current slide of this once great city? The city workers appear complacent, maybe because they still draw paychecks??

• KURTZ4Mayor (145) posts 6:46 am

  Unless you plan to develop the site by November 3, please do not make ANY plans (soon to be) FORMER Mayor (again).

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