May 2014

The Claridge Hotel, Atlantic City’s original “Skyscraper by the Sea”, officially reopened its doors over the Memorial

Day weekend during a soft opening of the 500-room hotel, which drew plenty of guests thanks in part to the

gorgeous holiday weather.

Standing 370 feet tall and 24 stories high, the Claridge has been repurposed as a 500-room hotel that is positioned to

grab leisure and group travelers, convention business and families. In the coming weeks, new Italian and steak

restaurants, a full coffee bar, art gallery and Discover Museum outlet will be phased in and opened. Recently, the

500-seat, cabaret-style Celebrity Theatre opened inside the Claridge and will feature nightly entertainment. The

theater will primarily feature the Edwards Twins, but other acts, including performances of the Atlantic City Ballet, a

tribute to Whitney Houston featuring gospel singers from New York and New Jersey, and a performance of "The Color

Purple" have been booked.

TJM Atlantic City, LLC officially took the reins of the Claridge, which was owned and operated by Bally’s until last year,

in February. A full grand opening is planned for July.

Claridge Hotel Reopening Kicks Off Memorial Day Holiday Weekend in Atlantic City

The CRDA Board approved several projects during its monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 20, that

will add new residential housing units and bring more entertainment to the city this summer, thus

enhancing the experience for both residents and visitors alike.

During the meeting, $5 million funding was approved for Procida Realty and Construction

Company’s Eastwind II Housing Development Project. Fifty seven semi-detached modular, energy-

efficient homes will be constructed on four CRDA-donated lots bounded by Baltic, Mediterranean,

New Jersey and Connecticut avenues, with 38 units selling at market rate and 19 units slated for

affordable housing selling at $150,000 to $160,000. The CRDA funding will provide $1.5 million

toward infrastructure costs and $3.5 million to make up the difference in the agreed-on reduced

per-unit sale price designed to make the purchase more affordable for residents. Ground breaking

is expected to take place in June with a completion date 18-34 months later.

The CRDA also approved an amendment to its agreements for 89 rental units at Procida’s Con-

necticut Crescent and Carolina Crescent properties. The action permits Procida and its partner,

CIS, it to proceed with construction on land previously deeded to them by the CRDA. Procida did not seek CRDA funding for these units.

“Construction projects such as these are critical to helping add much-needed updated housing stock to our neighborhoods,” said CRDA Executive Director

John Palmieri. “These new housing units will hopefully assist residents in realizing the dream of owning a home and will create new tax ratables.”

The developments are part of an ongoing plan to redevelop Atlantic City’s Inlet, as called for in the Tourism District Master Plan. The CRDA has been

purchasing lots throughout the area to assemble parcels that offer the opportunity for construction

of new homes that meet today’s standards. “A strong housing stock is essential to a strong commu-

nity, committed workforce and viable economy,” Palmieri noted.

In other action, the Board approved a $151,000 fund reservation for the CRDA Summer Concert

Series, consisting of nine concerts on the beach and at Kennedy Plaza. Eight of the concerts will be

held in August and one will be in September, with well-known artists to be announced. The

producer, Carmen Marotta of Tony Mart LLC, anticipates attendance of several hundred people for

each concert, with some drawing several thousand.

“This is special funding beyond our typical entertainment grant program,” said Palmieri. “Combined

with the Chicken Bone Beach Jazz series, the Atlantic City Free Public Library’s International Nights,

movies on the beach and other events supported by CRDA, plus the entertainment sponsored

throughout the summer by the Atlantic City Alliance (ACA), our visitors and residents can enjoy free

entertainment on the beach and Boardwalk every night of the week this July and August.”

Continued on Page 3

CRDA Board Approves Measures Benefitting Residents and Visitor Experience

(Above) - Rendering of the Procida Eastwind II Housing

Development Project.

(Above) - Free concert series on the Boardwalk at

Kennedy Plaza.

The 17th Annual Atlantic City Host Awards once again recognized the area’s best in the service and

hospitality industry on May 7 at Historic Boardwalk Hall in the Adrian Phillips Ballroom.

The Host Awards are presented each year during National Travel and Tourism Week and salute and

encourage customer service by employees in the tourism, hospitality and retail industries who

contribute to Atlantic City’s success as a friendly, world-class destination.

Anthony Catanoso, owner and operator of Steel Pier, was honored with the Spirit of Hospitality Award,

which is given to an outstanding individual or individuals who made a significant long-term contribu-

tion to the region’s hospitality and travel industry.

Here are the 2014 award recipients:

Best Sever, Fine Dining Restaurant not owned by Casino, Anna Smith, Gallagher’s Steakhouse

Best Server Casual Dining not owned by Casino, Jordan Koff, Distrito Cantina, Garces Group

Best Server, Fine Dining Casino Restaurant, Jason Valentino, Caesars

Best Server, Casual Dining Casino Restaurant, Marjorie Epps, Caesars

Best Server, Banquet/ Catering, Greg Hall, Tropicana Casino & Resort

Best Food and Beverage Support, Johnson Bozil, Bally’s

Best Bartender, Deborah Criqui, Harrah’s Resort

Best Host/ Hostess, Sandra Rojas de Ospina, Showboat

Best Visitor Information Personnel (Thomas G. Henning Award), Frank Becktel, Jitney Association

Best Retail Sales, Lynn Stadtmueller, Bally’s

Best Valet, Ivan Kartselski, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa/The Water Club

Best Door Person, Vincent “Vinnie” Pace, Showboat

Best Bell Person, Robert Bitzberger, Caesars

Best Room Service Personnel, Brian Govan, Tropicana Casino & Resort

Best Butler, Timothy J. Greenwood, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa/The Water Club

Best Room Attendant/ Housekeeper, Maria Valle, Caesars

Best Food Production Personnel, Mary Bennett, Marriott Vacation Club-Fairway Villas

Best Concierge/ Guest Services, Keely Halka, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa/The Water Club

Best Heart/ Back of the House, Antonio Maldonado, Tropicana Casino & Resort

Best Reservationist, Krystle Bendijo, Marriott Vacation Club - Fairway Villas

Best Security Personnel, Jason Tibbrine, Bally’s

Best Casino Games Personnel (Ray Kot Award), Shannon Goode, Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort

Best Casino Support Personnel, James Albert, Tropicana Casino & Resort

Best Public Area Personnel, Mukeshbhai Patel, Harrah’s

Best Cashier, Mary Daleo, Showboat

Best Cocktail Server, Janet Hendrix, Bally’s

Best Spa Attendant, Christine Callahan, Caesars.

2014 Scholarship Awards from the ACCVA Foundation and the Greater Atlantic City Concierge Association:

$1,000 Scholarships

Jennie Ciabatoni of Woodbine, NJ, Richard Stockton College; Magen Davies of Cranford, NJ, Richard Stockton College; Heather Dodson of Mays Landing,

NJ, Richard Stockton College; Taylor Evans of Mullica Hill, NJ, Atlantic Cape Community College; Jessica Hoagland of Brick, NJ, Richard Stockton College;

Ryan Sara Hunter of Cape May, NJ, Atlantic Cape Community College; Jennifer Ottaviano of Estell Manor, NJ, Atlantic Cape Community College; Sofia

Sansweet of Ventnor, NJ, Richard Stockton College.

$500 Merit Scholarships

Nicole Flanagan of Teaneck, NJ, Fairleigh Dickinson University; Holly Gunderson of Woodbridge, NJ, Richard Stockton College; Nancy Maslowas of

Pomona, NJ, Fairleigh Dickinson University; Melanie Snyder of Iselin, NJ, Richard Stockton College.

Annual Host Awards Recognizes Best in Hospitality Industry; Awards 12 Scholarships

(Left to right) - Steel Pier owner Anthony Catanoso

is presented with the Spirit of Hospitality Award by

CRDA Executive Director John Palmieri.

(Above) - Host Award recipients gather for a group

picture along with Jacqui Carole, John Palmieri and

Susan Thompson of the CRDA (top row).

One of the world’s most iconic

organs may once again be

heard by the public as the

Historic Organ Restoration

Committee announced that

for the first time since 1944,

free daily concerts will be

presented on the Midmer-

Losh Pipe Organ in the main

hall of historic Boardwalk Hall

weekdays at 12 pm.

Afterwards, guests will have

the opportunity to meet

organist Dr. Steven Ball and

take a free guided ½ hour organ tour. The Midmer-Losh, was built

between 1929 and 1932 by the Midmer-Losh Organ Company of Merrick,

Long Island, N.Y.

Weighing in at a staggering 150 tons,

the instrument is original to the

building and completely concealed

behind the exquisite gilded grillwork

around the main auditorium, the

iconography of which depicts

stylized sea creatures and plants. It is

the first version of what we now

think of as “surround-sound” and is

the largest musical instrument ever

constructed. The main console

which controls the instrument is

located on the right (house) side of

the proscenium arch is the only to

ever have seven manual keyboards

in addition to the pedal keyboard and 1,235 stop tablets to control the

33,112 pipes.

The first recital on the completed organ was played on May 11, 1932 by

James Scott Winter. The instrument historically was used for daily ½ hour

noon recitals and for all public events in the building until the great

hurricane of September 12, 1944 which has ever since silenced its’ full

magnificent and thunderous voice. After seven years of restoration by the

Historic Organ Restoration Committee, approximately 20% of the instru-

ment was made available for the first time in decades at the Miss America

Pageant in 2013, with another 15% of the instrument anticipated to come

to life again during the spring and summer months of 2014.

Historic Organ Comes to Life Once Again

The Board also approved a $100,000 fund reservation to support the ACA’s sponsorship of an international long board surfing championship. The

Association of Surfing Professionals, which stages competitions throughout the world, is planning the event for the second half of September; exact

dates and details to be announced. Additionally, the CRDA approved $100,000 to regrade and repave the parking area at Gardner’s Basin, providing a

more visitor-friendly surface. Gardner’s Basin houses the Atlantic City Aquarium, several restaurants, fishing charters, sightseeing cruises, parasailing,

shops and a crafter’s village. It also hosts several concerts and special events throughout the year, and has become one of the area’s most-visited

attractions.

Continued from page 1 — CRDA Board Approves Measures Benefitting Residents and Visitor Experience

After making its triumphant

return to Atlantic City in

March, the Atlantic City

Ballet is proud to announce

that Atlantic City residents

and visitors alike can now

see the group perform at

The Celebrity Theater

during the 2014-15 season

in the recently-reopened

Claridge Hotel.

As they begin their 32nd season, the ballet finally has a performance home

right in the heart of the city. The ballet will kick off the new season with a

special matinee performance of “Sleeping Beauty” on August 16. After

that the ballet will perform one weekend a month at the Claridge ending

the first half of their season with a six-day run of “The Nutcracker.”

The 2014 performance lineup will bring back audience favorites, “Dracula”

and “The Nutcracker”, but the company will add a new ballet, “Ballet Goes

Broadway”, which will premier in August.

Rounding out the performance list will be an evening of ballets with music

from various parts of the world entitled “Visions” and the Radio City-esque

holiday revue “It’s a Shore Holiday”, which wowed audiences when it pre-

miered last holiday season.

Also this year, the Atlantic City Ballet will

have “Up Close and Personal” perform-

ances that will include a ballet technique

demonstration, a 15-20 minute sample of

the ballet’s latest productions currently in

rehearsal, followed by a “Talk Back” with

Founding Artistic Director Phyllis Papa and

some of the ballet’s dancers.

The series is designed to introduce

spectators to the world of ballet and to

have the opportunity to get to know the Atlantic City Ballet company itself.

Performance dates:

Tuesday, July 29, 3 pm; Tuesday, August 19, 3 pm; Wednesday, September

24, 5:30 pm; Wednesday, October 15, 5:30 pm; Wednesday, November 12,

5:30 pm; and Wednesday, December 3, 5:30 pm.

AC Ballet to Perform at Claridge Theater

(Above) - Boardwalk Hall organist Dr. Steven

Ball and the Midmer-Losh Pipe Organ.

Atlantic City Tourism District

Advisory Commission

2014 Annual Meeting Schedule

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

All monthly meetings are held at 5 pm.

Visit www.njcrda.com for meeting location.

Advisory Commission Members:

Derek Cason

Chair

Daryl Bulthius

Vice Chair/Committee Chair, Marketing & Promotion

John Exadaktilos

Committee Chair, Clean & Safe

Joseph Kelly

Committee Chair, Economic Development

Joseph Maher

Keith Mills

Ali Reynolds

Vladislav “Sly” Stankovic

Rev. William Williams, III

Committee Chair, Workforce & Education

Published by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and Written by David Zuba, Media Relations Publicist

Do you have an idea for a story? If so, please contact David Zuba at dzuba@njcrda.com