Rowan Says Atlantic City Legislators Have Been Left Out of Discussions About Potential Redevelopment Master Plan

Assemblywoman supports a comprehensive strategy for the resort but says local lawmakers should have a seat at the table before major decisions are made.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Assemblywoman Maureen Rowan says she supports the development of a comprehensive master plan to guide Atlantic City's future, but she is concerned that the resort's elected state legislators have not been included in discussions about a potentially sweeping redevelopment initiative.

During a November 11 appearance on Off The Press with Scott Cronick on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND, Rowan said she was unaware of the details of a possible plan reportedly being discussed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill's administration and South Jersey businessman George Norcross.

"I will let you know that I have no idea what the plan is, though," Rowan told Cronick.

Rowan, a Democrat representing Atlantic County's 2nd Legislative District, said she welcomes the possibility of a coordinated approach to redevelopment but believes lawmakers representing the city should be involved from the beginning.

"It's unfortunate. I think that, you know, not to criticize anyone, but I think the legislators in this district should be aware of the plan that is being developed and should have the input into that plan," Rowan said.

Her comments follow a recent WOND interview in which Norcross discussed the possibility of a comprehensive redevelopment strategy encompassing several of Atlantic City's most prominent properties and economic assets.

Norcross Discussions Raise Expectations for Atlantic City

Norcross, whose family and investment partners recently purchased the former Trump Plaza casino property on the Boardwalk, has emerged as a potentially influential figure in the next phase of Atlantic City's redevelopment.

The former casino site, adjacent to Boardwalk Hall, has remained one of the city's most visible redevelopment opportunities since the main Trump Plaza tower was demolished in 2021.

Norcross and his partners acquired the property earlier this fall, generating considerable interest in what might eventually be built there.

Mayor Marty Small has welcomed the investment, describing it as another indication of growing confidence in Atlantic City's future.

During his earlier appearance on Off The Press, Norcross discussed the possibility of a broader redevelopment strategy involving the former Trump Plaza site, Boardwalk Hall and the Atlantic City Convention Center.

The conversation also raised the possibility of including Atlantic City International Airport in a larger regional economic development effort.

However, no comprehensive redevelopment master plan incorporating those properties has been publicly released, and the specific roles of state officials, local government and private investors remain unclear.

Cronick asked Rowan whether she had been briefed on the potential initiative.

Her answer was unequivocal.

"I have no idea what's in it," she said.

Rowan Wants Polistina and Guardian Included

Rowan said the issue goes beyond her own participation.

She believes all three legislators representing Atlantic County's 2nd District should be involved in discussions about a plan that could shape Atlantic City's economic future.

That includes Republican state Sen. Vince Polistina and Republican Assemblyman Don Guardian, a former Atlantic City mayor.

During the interview, Cronick suggested that Rowan, Polistina and Guardian should all participate in the planning process.

"We should be part of it. We should be part of it," Rowan responded.

"And I'm probably going to try to make some phone calls to indicate that we should be part of it."

She added, "All three of us should be part of it."

Rowan's position is particularly noteworthy because the district's legislative delegation includes members of both political parties.

Despite their political differences, Rowan said the legislators have a shared responsibility to represent Atlantic City's interests in decisions involving major redevelopment projects and potential state investment.

She also pointed out that implementing a comprehensive redevelopment strategy could eventually require legislative action.

"I think there should be input from the people who it may require legislation to get the plan through," she said.

Her comments suggest that even if the administration and private investors develop a framework for redevelopment, some elements could require cooperation from lawmakers in Trenton.

Questions Remain About Who Is Involved

Cronick told Rowan that Norcross had mentioned Hard Rock International executive Jim Allen during his earlier discussion of the potential master plan.

However, Cronick said he subsequently asked Allen about the initiative and did not receive confirmation that Allen was participating.

According to Cronick, Allen's response was that he hoped the reports of a plan were true.

Cronick speculated that discussions might involve the governor, Mayor Small, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and potentially the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

But he acknowledged that he did not know who was actually participating.

Neither Rowan nor Cronick identified a confirmed membership list for any redevelopment planning group.

The absence of publicly available details raises questions about how the initiative would be organized, whether it would involve a formal state-led planning process and when residents, businesses and elected officials might have an opportunity to provide input.

Boardwalk Hall, Convention Center and Airport Among Possibilities

The properties mentioned in connection with a possible comprehensive plan represent some of Atlantic City's most significant economic assets.

The former Trump Plaza site occupies a prominent stretch of Boardwalk property near Boardwalk Hall, the historic entertainment venue that has hosted concerts, sporting events and major conventions.

The Atlantic City Convention Center is another potential focus as state and local officials debate how to strengthen the resort's convention business.

That discussion has become increasingly urgent amid concerns about the future of the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel and a competing proposal to develop a major convention facility in the Meadowlands.

The possibility of including Atlantic City International Airport could expand the conversation beyond the resort itself.

During the interview, Cronick discussed the prospect of greater Port Authority involvement in the airport and the potential to attract additional commercial airline service.

Those ideas remain possibilities rather than confirmed components of an adopted plan.

Rowan did not indicate that she had received any formal proposal concerning the airport.

The broader question is whether state officials could coordinate redevelopment, convention business, transportation and private investment into a single long-term strategy.

Rowan Says Atlantic City Needs Action, Not More Talk

Despite her concerns about being excluded from the discussions, Rowan expressed strong support for the concept of a comprehensive redevelopment master plan.

"I am in total agreement that the master plan is a great idea," she said.

When Cronick suggested that Atlantic City desperately needs such a strategy, Rowan agreed.

"We are in dire need of a master plan. We are in dire need of a master plan," she said.

She then delivered one of her strongest statements of the interview.

"And as I have said on various occasions at various summit panels, I'm tired of all talk and no action. It's the time is now. The time is now."

"We have to do it. We have to do it."

The comments reflect a longstanding frustration among Atlantic City stakeholders who have watched numerous redevelopment proposals announced, discussed or studied without always producing visible results.

Rowan said she hopes the current discussions will lead to something more substantial.

New Development Incentives Could Complement a Broader Strategy

The conversation also touched on Atlantic City's potential expansion of federal Opportunity Zones, which provide tax incentives intended to encourage investment in designated communities.

The city recently announced that the Marina District is being considered for an additional Opportunity Zone designation, supplementing four existing areas.

The proposed expansion could create additional incentives for developers interested in projects in the Marina District.

Rowan described the incentives as another way to encourage private investment, although she emphasized that Opportunity Zones are not a new concept.

A comprehensive redevelopment strategy could potentially connect such incentives with larger investments in infrastructure, tourism facilities and underused properties.

However, there has been no public confirmation that the proposed Opportunity Zone expansion is formally connected to the master plan discussed by Norcross.

'We Cannot Be Treated Any Longer as Second-Class Citizens'

Rowan's concerns about the planning process also reflect a broader frustration she expressed during the interview about how South Jersey is treated by state government.

In a separate discussion about a proposed Meadowlands convention center, Rowan argued that Atlantic City and Atlantic County too often struggle to receive the same attention as North Jersey.

She returned to that theme near the conclusion of the interview.

"I think we just have to keep bringing attention to the fact that you have to pay attention to us, us meaning Atlantic City, Atlantic County, not just Atlantic City, Atlantic County," Rowan said.

"We cannot be treated any longer as second class citizens."

For Rowan, a redevelopment master plan could represent an important opportunity to address Atlantic City's longstanding economic challenges.

But she believes the process must include the elected officials responsible for representing the community in Trenton.

Her immediate goal is to establish communication with those developing the potential initiative and ensure the district's legislative delegation has an opportunity to participate.

For now, the scope, timetable and leadership of any comprehensive master plan remain uncertain.

Rowan says she is hopeful that a serious effort is underway.

She simply wants Atlantic City's representatives to be part of it.

Assemblywoman Maureen Rowan made her comments during the November 11 edition of Off The Press with Scott Cronick, airing weekdays from 4–6 p.m. on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.