ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Atlantic City has been selected for a $30,000 program that will bring national experts into the city as officials look for stronger ways to address vacant, abandoned and deteriorating properties.
The city announced Tuesday that it is one of only two New Jersey municipalities selected to receive an Abandoned Property Rehabilitation Act Scholarship from the Center for Community Progress.
The scholarship will provide Atlantic City with up to 125 hours of technical assistance as the city works to identify problem properties and determine how to get them rehabilitated and returned to productive use.
The assistance comes as Atlantic City is revising its vacant and abandoned property ordinance.
“The city is currently in the process of revising its vacant abandoned property ordinance, and this scholarship will provide valuable assistance as we work to strengthen our approach,” Atlantic City Licensing and Inspections Director Dale Finch said.
“Our goal is to address the challenges associated with vacant abandoned properties while developing programs that encourage redevelopment, occupancy and productive use of these properties,” Finch said. “Ultimately, we want to reduce blight and create healthier neighborhoods throughout Atlantic City.”
City Could Use Stronger Legal Tools
A major focus of the program will be helping Atlantic City make greater use of tools available under New Jersey's Abandoned Property Rehabilitation Act.
One involves creating and maintaining a Vacant Abandoned Properties List that allows municipalities to systematically identify and prioritize properties requiring attention.
Another could potentially give the city a path to court intervention when the owner of an abandoned property won't make necessary repairs.
Under that process, a municipality can seek the appointment of a receiver to rehabilitate a qualifying abandoned property.
That could give Atlantic City another option for dealing with properties where traditional code enforcement hasn't resulted in rehabilitation.
National Experts Coming to Atlantic City
The scholarship includes a two-day site visit during which experts will work with city employees, community organizations and other stakeholders.
Atlantic City will then receive a written memorandum outlining findings and recommendations.
Three city representatives will also have an opportunity to attend the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference in Pittsburgh next month.
The national conference is expected to bring together more than 1,000 participants involved in neighborhood revitalization, vacant-property rehabilitation and related community-development efforts.
City officials will also use the program to explore potential funding sources for addressing abandoned properties.
The scholarship program is supported by funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Atlantic City officials say the ultimate objective isn't simply to identify abandoned buildings but to find ways to get properties repaired, occupied and contributing to surrounding neighborhoods again.
