Levinson Blasts State Lawmakers Over Atlantic City's Future: 'Start Fighting'

Atlantic County executive welcomes George Norcross' investment but says Trenton must do more to protect the resort's economy and convention business.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson is welcoming George Norcross' investment in the former Trump Plaza property, but he says one major development cannot solve Atlantic City's problems without stronger support from New Jersey's elected officials.

In a wide-ranging and at times sharply critical interview Thursday, October 22, on The Don Williams Show on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND, Levinson accused state lawmakers of failing to fight aggressively enough for Atlantic City as the resort faces mounting economic challenges.

His criticism extended to members of his own Republican Party.

"I want my party to get behind anything that we can do, working together," Levinson said.

"Let's get it done and put aside our pettiness and our nonsensical inciting, because time's a-wasting, Don."

Levinson Welcomes Norcross Investment

Levinson said the announcement that Norcross and his investment partners had purchased the former Trump Plaza site did not come as a complete surprise.

He revealed that he had been encouraging Norcross to consider Atlantic County for years.

"Frankly, I've been working on him for years, Don, to consider Atlantic County, consider Atlantic City," Levinson said.

"And, you know, if he does a third or a quarter, half of what he's done on the Camden waterfront, and if he can bring that here, and he's a serious guy."

Levinson compared the excitement surrounding the investment to the optimism Atlantic City experienced when casino developer Steve Wynn entered the market.

"Maybe when Steve Wynn decided to come into Atlantic City, we were all pumped up, and, you know, we ought to be pumped up right now," he said.

Norcross, his adult children and other partners have acquired the former Trump Plaza property along the Boardwalk.

Specific redevelopment plans have not yet been announced.

Asked whether the project could include luxury condominiums, Levinson cautioned against assuming what will be built.

"I don't know what it's going to be exactly," he said. "I do know that he has a vision for Atlantic City. He loves it."

Levinson said Norcross has repeatedly spoken to him about visiting Atlantic City with his parents during childhood.

"And what Camden doesn't have, what Vegas doesn't have, is a beach and a boardwalk," Levinson said.

He also believes the investment could encourage additional developers to take a closer look at the resort.

"Oh, Don, I believe it's going to be symbiotic, absolutely," he said.

'Get Busy, Start Fighting'

Despite his optimism about the Norcross purchase, Levinson quickly shifted the discussion to what he considers a lack of urgency among state lawmakers.

He argued that Atlantic City's economic future is threatened by casino competition, convention industry challenges and decisions being made in Trenton.

"You better start fighting. You better start opening your mouths," Levinson said.

He criticized lawmakers for not speaking out more forcefully about proposals for additional convention facilities elsewhere in New Jersey.

"Get busy, start fighting, and save this area," he said.

Levinson said the stakes extend beyond Atlantic City's casino hotels and convention facilities.

He pointed to poverty in Atlantic County, citing approximately 35,000 residents living below the poverty line.

"I have 35,000 people living under the poverty level here in Atlantic County," Levinson said. "That's serious."

He said elected officials should recognize that economic development is essential to improving the lives of those residents.

"The commissioners and I cannot do it all," he said.

Levinson also criticized the compensation of state legislators, referring to a substantial salary increase approved in recent years.

His message was directed at lawmakers from both parties, although he expressed particular frustration that Republicans representing portions of Atlantic County had not been more outspoken.

Questions State Oversight of Atlantic City

Levinson also challenged the effectiveness of New Jersey's continuing oversight of Atlantic City's municipal government.

The state assumed financial oversight of Atlantic City in 2016 under the Municipal Stabilization and Recovery Act.

Legislation signed in January 2026 extended that oversight through December 1, 2031, while expanding certain state powers involving planning, zoning and redevelopment.

Levinson questioned what the state had accomplished during its decade of involvement.

"Atlantic City has been controlled by the state of New Jersey since 2016, when Chris Christie was the governor," he said.

"They have extended that control to 2031. Now, it doesn't seem to me like they're doing such a great job."

Levinson argued that state oversight limits the city's ability to make decisions about its own future.

"So what's left for Atlantic City? Cutting ceremonial ribbons?" he asked.

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs describes its oversight as an effort to stabilize municipal finances, strengthen city operations and prepare Atlantic City to manage its affairs independently.

Levinson, however, said the results have been disappointing.

"Trenton, you cannot run Atlantic City from Trenton 75 miles away," he said.

Convention Center Concerns Continue

Levinson again raised concerns about Atlantic City's convention business, a subject he has addressed repeatedly in recent WOND interviews.

He questioned the state's consideration of a major convention center project in the Meadowlands while Atlantic City's existing convention facilities need improvements.

"So we're not just competing with New York," Levinson said.

"These folks are allowing us to compete with each other, Don. It is unbelievable."

He also renewed his criticism of state financial support for the redevelopment of Asbury Park's convention and entertainment facilities.

Levinson argued that Atlantic City's convention center should be a priority, particularly as uncertainty continues over the future of the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel.

He said technology improvements are also needed.

"The idea that we have a convention center that we spent a fortune on that doesn't even have Wi-Fi, it's mind-boggling," Levinson said.

His comments reflected ongoing concerns about the facility's wireless connectivity. The specific extent of current Wi-Fi limitations was not independently established during the interview.

Levinson warned that convention business requires years of advance planning.

"Anybody in the convention business will tell you, we have to start now to get conventions four, five, six, seven years down the line," he said.

"This does not happen overnight. So we better get busy."

South Jersey NewsBeat has previously reported on Levinson's concerns about the Sheraton and competing convention investments elsewhere in New Jersey.

His latest comments place those concerns within a broader criticism of the state's approach to Atlantic City's economic development.

Calls for More Atlantic City Police

Public safety was another major focus of the interview.

Levinson argued that Atlantic City needs a greater visible police presence to improve perceptions of safety among residents and visitors.

"Hire more cops," he said. "I drive around that city. I rarely ever see a police officer."

He said the resort's tourism economy depends on visitors feeling comfortable exploring areas beyond casino properties.

"Safety should be job one," Levinson said. "And if people don't feel safe, they're not going to come down."

Levinson also described Atlantic City as New Jersey's most dangerous city, citing internet search results.

That characterization is not an established statewide ranking and depends on the crime statistics and methodology used. The interview did not include a comparative analysis of crime rates across New Jersey municipalities.

His underlying argument was that public safety must remain a central part of Atlantic City's economic development strategy.

A Call for Cooperation

Levinson repeatedly emphasized that he wants cooperation rather than partisan conflict.

He said Atlantic County has worked to attract investment, control taxes and support economic development, but the county cannot address every challenge alone.

"It has to be more than Atlantic County," Levinson said.

"It has to be the state of New Jersey making it clear that Atlantic City does matter."

He also questioned whether the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority has done enough to support the city's revitalization.

Levinson argued that state officials should use their authority and resources to strengthen Atlantic City's convention industry, infrastructure and business environment.

Despite his frustration, he described the Norcross investment as a reason for optimism.

"We're dancing because George Norcross bought the Trump Plaza," he said. "Yeah, it's room for joy."

But he warned that progress will require more than celebrating a single redevelopment announcement.

"We've got to stop fighting with each other," Levinson said. "We've got to pull in the same direction."

For Levinson, the purchase of the former Trump Plaza site represents an opportunity to build momentum.

His message to state lawmakers is that Atlantic City's future should not depend on private investors alone.

"Start making some noise," he said. "Do something."