E-NEWSLETTER

Sea Isle City Real Estate

www.SJbeachhomes.com

February 9, 2012

MAYOR’S MESSAGE:

It’s almost time for Sea Isle City’s largest winter event, the 18th Annual Polar Bear Plunge. I am excited to report that this year’s Plunge Weekend promises to be our biggest and most successful to date, thanks to an army of local volunteers who have done an outstanding job scheduling a variety of great activities. What a great festival it is going to be!

Our 2012 plunge activities, which take place over President’s Day Weekend, will begin on Friday evening, February 17, with the Annual Polar Bear Prince, Princess, King and Queen Contests. This year, all four members of the 2012 Polar Bear Royal Family will each receive an iPad Notebook and other great gifts (courtesy of the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce & Revitalization). Plus, the 2012 King and Queen will also each receive two round-trip tickets onboard Spirit Airline (courtesy of Longport Media & Kool 98.3 FM, who will be performing live radio broadcasts during Plunge Weekend). Obviously, if you ever considered entering the Polar Bear Prince, Princess, King and Queen contests, this is a great year to do so!

Many additional activities are planned for Saturday, February 18, including a Polar Bear Vendor’s Market, a hilarious Costume Contest, live entertainment, and the plunge itself at 2:00 p.m. To make traveling easier on Saturday, the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce & Revitalization has scheduled a fleet of jitneys from Atlantic City to carry plungers and spectators around town for only $2 per ride. So, leave your car at home, enjoy the jitneys and don’t miss a moment of the fun on Saturday.

On Sunday, Polar Bear Plunge Weekend will continue with more enjoyable activities, including the annual Polar Bear 5K Run & 1.5-Mile Walk for Autism. I would like to thank the Monichetti family and everyone at Mike’s Seafood and LaCosta Lounge for sponsoring this event. My hope is that everyone who reads this newsletter will contribute to the Autism Run & Walk in one way or another, because it truly is an important cause.

Throughout Polar Bear Plunge Weekend, the vast majority of Sea Isle’s eateries and retailers will be open for business – so be sure to make a dinner reservation at your favorite restaurant and do some shopping. Plus, you can stop-by the Beach Tag Office on JFK Boulevard to purchase a commemorative Polar Bear Beach Tag, which will serve as a seasonal beach pass during the coming summer.

In closing, I would like to remind everyone who plans to attend this year’s plunge to think “Safety First.” We expect thousands of participants to take the plunge as tens-of-thousands of spectators look on, and whenever you have large crowds of people gathered together it’s always important to apply a healthy dose of common sense. During the plunge, Sea Isle City’s fire-rescue boat will be in the ocean along with a small armada of other rescue vessels, plus the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol will be constantly scanning the water as well. The Sea Isle City Police Department will also be on hand to direct crowds and uphold our public safety standards. However, even though we expect it to be an “uneventful” event, it’s always a good idea to play it safe.

See you at the plunge!

Smile…You’re in Sea Isle!

Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio

CITY COUNCIL MESSAGE:

As discussed in the last E-Newsletter, Council will be reviewing a revision to Sea Isle’s Alcohol Ordinance, which regulates the outdoor sale of alcohol at licensed businesses. Also included in this ordinance will be an increase in fines for violations.

City Council will hold a Public Hearing on Sea Isle’s 2012 Budget during our February 28 Council Meeting, which begins at 10:00 a.m. All are encouraged to attend and comment on the budget.

As a reminder, Polar Bear Plunge Weekend will be capped-off with a performance by the Strathmere Ensemble on Sunday February 19 at 4:00 p.m. inside the United Methodist Church, Park Road and JFK Boulevard.


Best Regards from the Members of City Council

PROJECT UPDATES:

Please Note: As we head toward the summer, the push is on to complete projects in advance of our busy tourist season. Our objective continues to be to maintain and improve Sea Isle’s public assets and infrastructure in order to provide our residents and visitors with the best quality of life, and fulfill the City’s vision of Sea Isle as a premier destination resort, while maintaining a small-town community atmosphere.

North End and Downtown Beach Replenishment Program – The project includes the placement of sand at several areas of the beach on the entire island, including portions of Strathmere and Sea Isle City. Sea Isle’s project area is from 1st to 15th and 30th to 52nd Streets. Today, the City met with representatives of the State of New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (the State is the contracting agency) and representatives of the contractor, Weeks Marine. The following is the most up to date information on the project status as reported at that meeting:

The Weeks Marine dredge “E.W. Ellefsen” continues to pump sand from Corson’s Inlet. The sand replenishment of Sea Isle’s north end (1st to 15th Street) was completed earlier this week. The submerged pipeline from the dredge has been landed on the beach at 29th Street, and the contractor was working today to extend the pipeline to 40th Street, where beach-fill operations will start today to complete the 40th to 52nd Street section of beach prior to the Polar Bear Plunge on February 18. In any event, the contractor has agreed to clear the beach of any pipe and provide for access to the beach for the plunge. After completion of 40th to 52nd Street, the beach-fill operation will be completed from 30th to 40th Street. Following beach-fill, sand dune fencing and dune grass will be installed for the length of the project.

The beach-fill operation runs 24/7, and does not stop for any holiday. (Please see photos below of the beach-fill project. Note: Aerial views provided by Weeks Marine)

Phase 2 of Excursion Park, Beach to Bay Corridor – This project involves streetscape improvements to the public corridor along JFK Boulevard (from the Promenade to Landis Avenue) and widening of the sidewalks along each side of this corridor by 3-feet. The contractor, Fred M. Schiavone Construction, has completed base street paving on the north side of JFK Boulevard and is in the process of reconstructing the south side of the boulevard. The contractor has completed most of the landscape planter walls and is in the process of installing landscaping materials. Sidewalk pavers have been substantially completed on the north side of the boulevard. The majority of the concrete has been completed on the south side of the boulevard, and paver installation is proceeding on the south side. Weather permitting, the contractor hopes to install the base course of street pavement on the south side of the boulevard during the week of February 13. The project remains on schedule to be completed by this coming May. (Please see photos below of Phase 2 Construction)

Demolition of Existing Library/Beach Tag Facility and Conversion to Parking Lot – The schedule has been slightly revised from the previous project update; and demolition of the old library facility is now anticipated to take place in April. Construction of the parking lot will follow immediately afterwards. The completion of the parking lot will be prior to Skimmer Weekend on June 16-17. (Please see rendering below of the future JFK Boulevard parking lot configuration)

Construction of Welcome Center Addition to the Community Lodge and Renovations of the Existing Lodge Facility and Site – The contractor, R. Wilkinson and Sons, has commenced with preparation of the site for the Welcome Center addition as well as renovations to the existing Community Lodge. The City has successfully relocated the Lodge activities to the old Library Building; and the renovation work will be complete in order to allow re-entry into the Lodge at the end of March. The Welcome Center addition is scheduled for completion by mid-June. The project will provide for improved heating, ventilating and air conditioning in the existing lodge; improved restroom facilities that comply with handicapped accessibility requirements; improved access to the lodge that also complies with handicapped accessibility requirements; and a complete addition of a Welcome Center. The project is the culmination of several years of public discussion about the need for a Welcome Center, as well as the need for continued utilization of the current lodge facility. (Please see photos below of the Welcome Center construction site)

Improvements to T. I. Park – The contractor, Axios, Inc., has proceeded with demolition of the existing ramps and construction of concrete sidewalk and parking areas. The project involves replacement of all the ramp and pavilion decking with Timbertech (plastic material similar to that used at the Marina); replacement of the wood railing with aluminum; addition of a handicapped ramp at the southern end of the park; and other various improvements to the facility to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Given the magnitude of the work and the removal of existing ramps and accesses, in order to ensure public safety, the park will be closed to public access while the construction takes place. The project is expected to be completed by early April. (Please see photos below of the T.I. Park construction site)

Lagoon Dredging – On February 8, the City received bids for the project. Eight firms submitted bids, with the apparent low bid being submitted by Wickberg Marine Contracting of Belford, NJ, in the amount of $719,336.
Upon confirmation from the City Engineer that all required documentation is in order, the project will be recommended for award at the February 14 City Council meeting. Following City Council award of the project, the City will be notifying property owners who have expressed interest in participating in the project to advise them of the particulars of the project.

The current plan for advancement of the project is as follows:

*Award contract for dredging at the February 14 council meeting
(contingent on receipt of bids within available funding).
*Dredging work permitted to take place from March through mid-May; and
Labor Day through November.
*No dredging work permitted mid-May through Labor Day.

The lagoons to be dredged are as follows:
Rio Grande (south side of 47th Place)
Rio Delle Stelle (between 46th and 47th Place)
Rio Delle Luna (between 45th and 46th Place)
Rio Del Amore (between 44th Street and 45th Place)
Rio Delle Isole (along Venicean Road)
Rio Del Barche (between 43rd Place and 44th Street)
Rio Del Affare (between 42nd and 43rd Place)
Rio Delle Ponte (along Park Road on either side of 43rd Place)

The project provides for the ability of private property owners adjacent to the project area to enter into an agreement with the successful dredging contractor to dredge their private slips at the private owner’s expense. (Please see lagoon maps below)

Sewer and Road Reconstruction on Central Avenue (49th to 69th Street) ***NO CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS UPDATE - The project has been contracted to the firm of Lewandowski Construction Industries, Inc., of Waterford, NJ. The project will be performed in two phases: the first being from 49th to 61st Street (prior to the 2012 summer season) and the second phase from 61st to 69th Street (following the 2012 summer season). The project will rehabilitate or replace the deteriorated underground sewer system, as well as provide for reconstruction of the entire one-mile stretch of roadway. The first phase will start at 61st Street and proceed northward to 49th Street. Notices to residents affected by the project will be issued in advance of the work.

Utility Reconstruction on Landis Avenue (54th to 69th Street) ***NO CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS UPDATE - This project has been contracted to F.W.Shawl & Sons of Marmora, NJ, and will provide for water and sewer line replacement in advance of the County project to resurface Landis Avenue from 54th to 69th Street. The contractor is scheduled to start work around March 1 and complete the project around mid-May.

Inflow and Infiltration (I & I) Remediation ***NO CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS UPDATE - The firm of Video Pipe Services, Inc. of Newfield, NJ, is in the process of performing work associated with internal repairs of sewer pipelines and manholes throughout the City. The need for this work was identified over the past three years through a comprehensive investigation and analysis of the City’s sewer system. Sewer systems are prone to both inflow (overland water entering the sewer system through manhole covers and other surface openings in the system) and infiltration (entry of groundwater into pipelines through cracks, deteriorated pipe, and pipe joints). The effects of I & I are symptoms of deterioration of the sewer system that must be corrected to avoid more problematic maintenance issues and potential failure of the sewer system. I & I is also costly, in that the City must pay for the unnecessary treatment of water that enters the sanitary sewer system. This is the first phase of a multi-year citywide sewer maintenance and improvement project that will ensure the continued viability of the City’s vital sewer infrastructure. The project is expected to be completed by March 2012.

Utility Reconstruction on Various Streets – The City is embarking on a project to replace deteriorated underground utilities (water and sewer) in several streets as part of its comprehensive road and utility program. The following streets are currently being engineered for utility work in order to put the project out to bid. The work will be completed in the spring, with a summer hiatus, then fall completion. Following utility work, the streets will receive new surface paving. The following streets are included in this project:

1. 50th Street, Landis Avenue to Promenade
2. 51st Street, Landis Avenue to Promenade
3. 60th Street, Landis Avenue to Central Avenue
4. 43rd Place street end with guide rail barrier
5. 42nd Street, Landis Avenue to Promenade
6. 79th Street, Landis Avenue to Central Avenue
7. 60th Street, Landis Avenue to Beach End

JFK Boulevard Reconstruction (Sea Isle Bridge to Landis Avenue) – The County has been working with the City for design of the project to reconstruct and reconfigure JFK Boulevard from the Sea Isle Bridge to Landis Avenue. The project will include the addition of widened sidewalks, decorative lighting, streetscape improvements and landscaping, and elevation of the road surface (which will assist during times of flooding). The County Engineer and the design engineering firm Urban Engineers will give a presentation on the JFK Boulevard project on March 7, 2012, at 5:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers. The County will contact by letter owners of properties adjacent to the project. The purpose of the presentation is to help to ensure that all are aware of the scope and impact of construction; and the timing of the project. The County is currently working toward submission of final plans to the Department of Transportation, in order to ultimately secure funding for this project so they can go to bid and award a project for a fall 2012 construction start.




JANUARY 2012 POLICE REPORT:

1. Investigations Conducted: 22
2. Adult Arrests (Criminal, Disorderly Persons, Ordinance, DWI): 0
3. Juvenile Arrests: 0
4. Motor Vehicle Summons Issued:
Moving Violations: 16
Parking Violations: 4
5. Public Service Calls:
Assist Public/Motorist: 15
Medical Calls: 18
Property Checks: 917
Alarms: 19
Suspicious Person/Vehicle: 2
Escorts/Relays: 1
Walk-In Complaints: 0
School Zone Patrol: 62
School Bus Escorts: 48
Motor Vehicle Stops: 68
Fingerprint Detail: 1
9-1-1 False Alarms: 16
Lockout Assists: 1
Domestic Violence Calls: 4
Animal Calls: 2
Check Resident’s Well Being: 8
Messages Delivered: 1
Investigations: 1
Disturbances: 1
Thefts: 1
Warrants/Subpoenas: 7
Fights: 2
Noise: 2
Fire: 5
Crowd Control: 0
TOTAL: 1,202
6. Code Enforcement Violations: 0

The above information was provided by the Sea Isle City Police Department.

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS:

--2012 Polar Bear Plunge Weekend is Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 17, 18 & 19 (President’s Day Weekend). The Polar Bear Prince, Princess, King and Queen will be crowned on Friday night, the Polar Bear Costume Contest is Saturday at noon, the Plunge itself is Saturday at 2:00 p.m., the Polar Bear 5K Run/1.5-mile Walk for Autism is Sunday at 12:15 p.m. and other activities will take place throughout the weekend (263-3756 or visit www.lacosta-seaisle.com).
--iPad Notebooks will be awarded to each winner of the 2012 Polar Bear Plunge King, Queen, Prince and Princess Contests on February 17 (courtesy of the SIC Chamber of Commerce & Revitalization). Also, the 2012 King and Queen will each receive two round-trip airline tickets onboard Spirit Airlines (courtesy of Longport Media & Kool 98.3 FM). To become a contestant, download an application form at www.seaislecitynj.us, or call 263-9090 (Prince and Princess Contest) or 263-3756 (King and Queen Contest) for more details.
--Polar Bear Plunge Volunteers are needed to register participants and give direction during the Plunge on February 18 and during the 5K Run for Autism on February 19. To volunteer during the plunge, please phone 263-3611. To volunteer during the 5K, please phone (609) 778-8418 or visit www.polarbearrunwalkforautism.com.
--A Polar Bear Plunge Jitney Service will be available on Saturday, February 18, starting at 9:00 a.m. and running into the late evening. The Jitney will make stops along Landis Avenue, JFK Boulevard and Park Road (Fish Alley). The fee to ride the Jitney will be $2 per person.
--Commemorative Polar Bear Plunge Beach Tags will be on sale during 2012 Plunge Weekend (not that you need a tag to take the plunge on February 18). The tags, which can be purchased at the Beach Tag Office during plunge weekend, will serve as regular seasonal beach passes for the summer of 2012. They cost $20 each (the pre-season beach tag price) and they make great gifts! For more info, visit www.seaislecitynj.us and click the “Government” and “Beach Tags” tabs.
--The Strathmere Ensemble will perform at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 19, inside the SIC United Methodist Church, JFK Boulevard and Park Road. Admission is free however donations are encouraged (263-9090).
--A Fish Fry Dinner Fund Raiser will be held at The Lobster Loft Restaurant on Sunday, February 19, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., hosted by the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Daughters of Saint Joseph Church to benefit their many charitable efforts throughout the year. Tickets are $20 per person (263-6171).

DID YOU KNOW:

--Monday, February 13, and Monday, February 20, are both municipal holidays in Sea Isle City. City Hall and other City buildings will be closed. All curbside trash and recycling collections will take place one day later than usual during the weeks of February 13 and February 20. So, if your normal collection day is Monday, your trash will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday pick-ups will take place on Wednesday, etc. (263-6000)
--Registration for Sea Isle City Little League Baseball, Soft Ball and Tee-Ball will take place until February 24. Players can register at the Recreation Services Building, 6108 Central Avenue, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (263-0050).
--2012 Dog License renewal is now due ($8.20 per license or $5.20 for spayed/neutered dogs). License Tags are available at City Hall, 4416 Landis Avenue, weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Current proof of rabies vaccination must be provided (263-4461, ext. 200).
--The Sea Isle City Recycling Yard, located adjacent to the Sea Isle Bridge near the Municipal Marina, is where you can drop-off trash and recycling after a weekend-visit to Sea Isle City (without the worry of your trash cans blowing away in the wind). This winter, the Recycling Yard is open on Saturdays and Sundays (10:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.) and Mondays and Fridays (7:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.). No bulk trash or LP tanks will be accepted at the Recycling Yard. For more information about Sea Isle’s trash and recycling regulations, phone 263-6000 ext. 14. Don’t Forget: Recycling is mandatory in Sea Isle City!
--Free “Open Gym” Sessions for Pre-K to 4th Graders will be offered from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. on February 22, and March 7 & 21 (263-0050).
--The next City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 14, at 10:00 a.m. on the second level of the SIC Public Safety Building, 233 JFK Boulevard. The public is invited to attend.
--Bulk Trash will be collected on the following days: 1st Thursday of Month from 1st to 44th Street; 2nd Thursday of Month from 45th to 70th Street; 3rd Thursday of Month from 71st to 94th Street. Brush and branches will be collected on all streets on the 4th Thursday of Month.
--Sea Isle City will host a Free Rabies Clinic for Dogs and Cats on Saturday, February 25, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., in the garage of the Public Safety Building, 233 JFK Boulevard. Sea Isle City Dog Licenses will also be available for purchase during this event (263.4461, ext. 200).
--March 2012 will mark the 50th Anniversary of the infamous Storm of ’62, and the Sea Isle City Historical Society is in search of residents who have stories, photographs and artifacts from that fateful event. If you were there – and you remember the helicopter evacuations and buildings being washed-out to sea – perhaps you can add to the special presentations and one-time displays and special events that are being planned to commemorate the storm in March. Please contact Historical Society President Mike Stafford (609-624-7929) for more information.
--The City of Sea Isle City will gladly arrange a Welcome Home Ceremony for any members of the military as they return to town. To arrange a “Hero’s Welcome” for your favorite Sailor, Marine, Soldier, Airman, National Guard or Coast Guard service member, phone Mayor Desiderio’s Office (263-4461, ext. 245) or Commander Chick Haines at VFW Post 1963 (263-1711). You can also find a “Welcome Home Ceremony” application online at www.seaislecitynj.us (via the “Quick Links” and “Downloadable Forms” tabs).
--A Free Income Tax Form Preparation Service is available to Cape May County residents of any age with incomes under $50,000 until April 15 at several locations around the County. This service is provided through the Volunteer Income Tax Program (V.I.T.A.). For additional information, phone 609-886-3400 or visit www.capemaycountygov.net (click the “News and Information” tab).

ATLANTIC CITY — After a decades-long absence, the internationally known diving horse act will return to the Steel Pier this summer as part of an overhaul approved for a Casino Reinvestment Development Authority loan Wednesday by the agency’s board — moments after the Tourism District Master Plan was adopted.

The CRDA’s $6 million contribution to the $20 million first phase of the Steel Pier improvement project is a prime example of what the Master Plan is intended to help accomplish in Atlantic City: economic recovery and realized potential by playing up — and improving on — its existing attributes and using government support to leverage private investment in the city.

“The mayor and (City) Council have always been supportive, but we have never seen a climate like this, with (all levels of) government,” said Tony Catanoso, one of the pier’s owners. “Instead of saying, ‘No, we can’t,’ they’ve expanded their vocabulary by one word: ‘Yes.’ We’ve never had that kind of attitude in Atlantic City in 20 years in business, and it’s totally driven from the top.”

Both the master plan and loan to Catanoso and his partners received unanimous support from the 15 CRDA board members (Nicholas Ribis and Debra DiLorenzo did not attend). They voted at the Atlantic City Convention Center on Wednesday, a deadline set by state law. Effective one year ago, those regulations also established the Tourism District and CRDA development powers within it, in addition to setting in motion other changes based in part on a report commissioned by Gov. Chris Christie to revive the resort beset by competition from nearby gaming markets and the recession.

State Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, was one of the main proponents of the legislation.

“This is beyond my wildest dreams, what we saw today. I’ve been… around since the pre-casino days. And more remarkable than the plan we saw today, as great as it is, is …the consensus behind it coming out of the gate. That doesn’t happen in Atlantic City. It gives me great hope that this isn’t just another set of pretty pictures,” said Whelan, referring to the succession of citywide development strategies drawn up over the years. “That this set of pretty pictures is going to become a reality.”

Formerly mayor of the city, Whelan still lives here and sat among the nearly 300 city residents, public officials, journalists and other stakeholders at the two-hour session. The meeting included a presentation by The Jerde Partnership, one of four companies working on the master plan.

“This master plan is a vision, a guide, for furthering the city’s success. The future of Atlantic City is guided by those who know it the best — you,” said Jerde Vice President David Sheldon to the audience. “We are the interpreters, the visionaries. We want to position Atlantic City as ... a city where there is no off-season.”

The $800,000 contract awarded to the consulting team, which is headed by Jones Lang LaSalle, includes ongoing engineering and other professional support CRDA officials expect to need as they implement the plan.

“No one expects this to be easy, but now we have a plan to provide direction,” said CRDA Executive Director John Palmieri.

There are three phases in all, with the long-term phase setting out suggestions that will be implemented five years or longer from now.

Bader Field, for example, is slated for development, but not until at least five years from now. The plan makes suggestions for how to do that — mixing residential and commercial uses perhaps, definitely maximizing waterfront access and green open spaces — but also advises continuing to host events there in the meantime.

State law also requires a progress report from the CRDA after the first, two-year-long phase of the plan, said CRDA Deputy Director Susan Thompson.

The three-year Steel Pier renovation plan calls for $102 million worth of upgrades to the 114-year-old structure that extends 1,000 feet into the ocean opposite the Boardwalk from the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort.

By this summer, a beer garden, six new rides and eight new games will start operating beneath new lighting and spruced up, better-coordinated facades. The diving horse act — which last appeared in the summer of 1993 — will be up and running, along with other acts inside an amphitheater in the works, too.

By 2015, Catanoso and his partners hope to be operating an enclosed pier that’s 25 percent larger.

“Everyone’s on board,” Catanoso said. “The attitude, enthusiasm is there. I think Atlantic City is going to come back, just by the way people are acting.”

The plan’s approval means it will be available in its full form today, complete with underlying economic analysis supporting its new ideas and existing ones that were incorporated. But suggestions for Bader Field and many other of the plan’s components geared toward achieving that end were revealed during a series of public meetings during the past month. Those sessions were meant to answer questions and get feedback from residents, business owners and other stakeholders. Concerns and questions remain, however.

Dennis Konzelman, president of the Westside Civic Association, said once residents understand how they’ll be affected by proposed changes, they’ll want to see results quickly.”

“This is great and beautiful and exciting,” said Konzelman, whose neighborhood doesn’t fall within the boundaries of the Tourism District. “We need to see something happen, and we want to know what’s going to happen to us. We’re not in the Master Plan. So just don’t forget about us, the people who live outside of (the Tourism District).”

Business owners also objected to the plan’s push to get rid of widely used steel doors that they roll down or pull across their storefronts for overnight security. But some parts of the plan suggest changes that are universally supported and have long been recognized, such as the intent to redevelop Kentucky Avenue with a focus on the street’s legacy as a nightlife destination and focusing on Atlantic Avenue as the city’s main street. Other parts of the plan note best practices already are in place, such as in Gardner’s Basin, or advocate moving forward with existing plans, such as those for the Steel Pier.

Mayor Lorenzo Langford didn’t bite when a reporter asked him to respond to criticisms from Christie, a break from the jabs they’ve exchanged before, such as Langford comparing the state’s implementation of the Tourism District to South African apartheid.

“This is a great day for Atlantic City,” Langford said. “The governor’s a man just like I am. He’s entitled to his opinions. I don’t put too much stock in what he has to say.”

Christie released a statement that was similarly even-keeled.

“A successful, vibrant Atlantic City is vital to the economic growth of both the regional and state economies,” the statement read. “Exactly one year to the day of signing landmark legislation that established the Atlantic City Tourism District, we now have an ambitious, visionary road map that will transform Atlantic City and lead its comeback.”

Highlights of the Atlantic City’s Master Plan

Eliminate ‘dead zones’ between major hubs and landmarks by adding art installations and eight to a dozen ‘innovation pavilions,’sponsored by international brands and extending from the Boardwalk over the sand.

Expand Ambassador program beyond Boardwalk by adding greeters elsewhere; expected to be triple the size for summer 2012.

Business corridors

Improve walkability and increase pedestrian traffic on Pacific Avenue with patio-style dining and street-accessible bars, boutiques and other venues. Establish small-scale retail in ground floors of casino parking garages on the beach blocks of Michigan, Missouri and Mississippi avenues.

Focus on improving storefronts and the mix of vendors and uses along Atlantic Avenue to help establish distinct districts within the city that seamlessly transition from one to the other yet maintain their own identity. Entails daily parades and other events, reducing detractors such as overnight security doors.

Mid-term: between two and five years from now

Arts District in Ducktown centered on Dante Hall Theater for the Arts.

AC LIVE! previously discussed as the entertainment-focused fourth phase of The Walk.

Revitalize Kentucky Avenue with focus on music and history to pay homage to nightlife and entertainment that once made the street a tourist destination in and of itself.

Expand Gardner’s Basin to include an oceanic research facility, fishing fleet operations and other offerings that fit with area’s existing marine and education themes.

South Inlet redevelopment: Lighthouse Park expansion, linear waterfront park.

Sculpture parks, skate parks, small festivals, sports fields in areas between Indiana and North Carolina avenues.

Long-term: five years or longer

Keep Bader Field as an event venue, with long-term plans for commercial, residential or mixed-use development.

Marina District should establish a network of waterfront walking and biking paths connecting new and existing gaming and nongaming resort properties.

Source: David Sheldon, vice-president at The Jerde Partnership, consultants on the Atlantic City Tourism District Master Plan

Foreclosures locally and in New Jersey declined in 2011, which should be welcome news for a residential property market weakened by the availability of distressed homes.

But much if not most of the improvement came from court-required delays in the processing of foreclosures in reaction to instances of improper handling such as the robo-signing of reams of paperwork.

As those delays end, filings will increase in 2012 and more bank-owned houses will reach the market, resulting in a second peak in foreclosure activity, predicts RealtyTrac, a foreclosure information and analysis service in Irvine, Calif.

Filings were still declining for counties in the region in the most recent data, but mortgage delinquencies were increasing. LPS Applied Analytics ranked New Jersey among the nation's five highest states for noncurrent loans in November.

Daren Blomquist, director of marketing communications for RealtyTrac, described the groundwork for a second peak in foreclosures and its consequence to the property market in the firm's "Emerging Foreclosure Trends for 2012."

U.S. foreclosure filings were lower for every month through November than in 2010, and foreclosures for last year are expected to be 30 percent below the 2010 peak when the final data is in. New Jersey foreclosure

activity dropped more than 50 percent.

But "foreclosure processing delays in 2011 have artificially exaggerated what would have been a slow, natural decrease in foreclosure activity off the foreclosure peak of 2010," Blomquist said in the report. "This artificial trough in foreclosure activity in 2011 will result in a corresponding double-peak in 2012."

At least the increase in filings this year will be slow and steady, which "should allow the market to absorb this inventory without another 20 or 30 percent hit to home prices," he said.

But the continued pressure of distressed properties is expected to keep homes from appreciating, leaving prices largely flat this year, he said.

RealtyTrac also predicts increases this year in the inventory and sale of bank-owned properties and in short sales - properties selling for less than is owed on the mortgage by agreement with the bank.

RealtyTrac's just-released November data for Atlantic County shows foreclosure activity still dropping, with 47 filings, down from 59 in October and 225 in November 2010.

Similar declines were seen in Cape May, Cumberland and Ocean counties.

The delays in foreclosure processing, however, merely mask the underlying trend of more homeowners unable to afford their homes, many due to the loss of employment.

This past week, Lisa Santos, her husband and two adult sons lost their Smithville house to foreclosure.

Santos said she lost her job at a marketing and advertising company in 2008.

Her husband's income as a mechanic at an auto dealer wasn't enough to cover the family's expenses and help relatives, she said, so they didn't pay the mortgage for a year and a half and wound up $25,000 in arrears.

Santos said she tried unsuccessfully to get the mortgage holder, Cape Bank, to modify the loan to make it more affordable.

She said she's working full-time again in marketing, but the bank wanted her and her husband to pay nearly half of the delinquent payments and add the rest of the arrears to the principal to restore the mortgage.

Charles "Chick" Pinto, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Cape Bank, said the bank already had modified the mortgage for the Santos family in 2009, lowering the interest rate.

Pinto said the bank tried to help, but had been paying the property taxes on 706 Osprey Court since the Santos family quit paying its mortgage and needed to protect its interests.

Such delinquencies are increasing in the area, and they're likely to become foreclosures going forward.

In New Jersey, foreclosed and delinquent mortgages were 16 percent of all home loans in November, an increase of 7 percentage points from the year before, LPS said.

CoreLogic, a financial information and services company, released data this month showing increases in both foreclosures and delinquencies in area counties in October.

In Atlantic County, about 9 percent of mortgages were in foreclosure, up from a bit more than 7 percent in October 2010, while 14 percent of loans were 90 days or more delinquent, up from slightly more than 12 percent in 2010.

Similar trends were seen in Cape May and Cumberland counties.

This increase in mortgage delinquencies and the backlog of filings created by court delays will provide the push toward a second bump in foreclosures in the year ahead.

Red Sky Realty Group   Your Outer Banks Realtor

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