Atlantic City Receives Scholarship to Address Vacant Properties and Reduce Blight

ATLANTIC CITY — Atlantic City has been selected as one of only two municipalities in New Jersey to receive a $30,000 scholarship aimed at helping local officials address vacant, abandoned and deteriorating properties throughout the city.

The Abandoned Property Rehabilitation Act Scholarship, awarded by the Center for Community Progress, will provide Atlantic City with up to 125 hours of technical assistance from national experts as the city works to strengthen its approach to identifying and rehabilitating problem properties.

The assistance will focus on two tools available through the Abandoned Property Rehabilitation Act: creating and maintaining a Vacant Abandoned Properties List and using a legal process that allows municipalities to seek a court-appointed receiver to rehabilitate an abandoned property when an owner fails to make necessary repairs.

City officials are currently revising Atlantic City's vacant abandoned property ordinance, according to Dale Finch, the city's director of Licensing and Inspections.

“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,” 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 the effort is ultimately intended to reduce blight and help create healthier neighborhoods throughout Atlantic City.

In addition to technical assistance, the scholarship includes a two-day site visit involving city staff, community partners and other stakeholders. The Center for Community Progress will also provide the city with a written memorandum outlining recommendations and key findings.

Three city representatives will also have the opportunity to attend the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference in Pittsburgh next month, where community leaders from across the country will discuss strategies for addressing vacant properties and revitalizing neighborhoods.

The scholarship also gives the city an opportunity to explore potential funding sources for future efforts. The program is supported through funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

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