Postby HONDO74 » Wed Feb 17, 2021 10:20 am
First opened in 1984, Trump Plaza became Atlantic City’s 10th casino and in its early days offered the promise of high rollers and the allure of marquee events, including heavyweight prize fights where ringside seats fetched $1,500 and attracted celebrities.
Mr. Trump did employ thousands of people and his casinos generated tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue.
Mr. Trump cut ties with the casino in 2009, even though his name briefly continued to adorn the building. Trump Plaza closed for good in 2014 and the billionaire investor Carl C. Icahn acquired it out of bankruptcy in 2016.
The ostentatious Trump Taj Mahal closed in 2016 and is now the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The Trump Marina Hotel Casino closed a decade ago and is now the Golden Nugget.
The Trump Plaza has stood for years as one of the city’s most visible eyesores, occupying prime land on the boardwalk. Chunks of falling debris and metal contributed to its designation as an “imminent hazard,” setting the stage for Wednesday’s demolition.
Mr. Small has said that he hoped Mr. Icahn might develop the property as a family-friendly destination hub to complement a new indoor water park that is planned for the boardwalk.
The city now has nine casinos, all of which were closed for months by the state’s coronavirus-related lockdown, thrusting 27,000 employees out of work overnight. Most casinos reopened Fourth of July weekend, but occupancy limits on the gambling floors, as well as inside restaurants and bars, remain capped at 35 percent, crimping nightlife in a city that thrives on it.
“We can’t depend on casino gaming anymore,” Mr. Small said. “We need to bring new industry here.”