Today the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority approved of a plan to take control of a large portion of Atlantic City in order to revitalize the city and create a better tourism destination. The state agency, created by the legislature at Governor Christie’s request, approved the controversial plan despite the objection of those in the city’s government, including the mayor.

The boundaries of the new Tourism District will be larger than what was originally suggested by Christie’s commission. The district will now include almost half of Atlantic City, including the entire Boardwalk. Opponents of the plan say that it is taking power and rights away from the city and giving it to the state. City council members that spoke in front of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority said that it would leave the city’s residents without a voice in plans for the city’s future.

The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, however, agrees with Christie that such a move is necessary to clean up the city and turn it into a more profitable tourist destination. Atlantic City Mayor Lorenzo Langford, who vehemently opposes the Tourism District, said that the dispute “goes to the fundamental right of self-governance.” He said that the state is “seizing control of the assets of Atlantic City.”

Susan Ney Thompson, the interim executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, said that today is “one of the landmark days that we’ve had here in Atlantic City” and praised the plan as creating a city that is “more streamlined, that leverages a number of resources and gets everybody working in the same direction.”

Meanwhile, Councilman Moisse Delgade vows to continue fighting the Tourism District designation, saying that he will even take the issue to court if necessary. Mayor Langford will likely back him on those efforts. Good or bad, big changes are underway at New Jersey’s casino industry.

Tags: Atlantic City Casinos