Wynn, Trump Talking About Mega-Resort

ATLANTIC CITY-A $3-billion casino-hotel resort may be in the works, and two one-time rivals might be teaming up to do it. According to published reports, Donald Trump, who has three casino-hotel properties here, and Steve Wynn, who once had a presence here but has been out of the market for a number of years, have been talking about teaming up to develop a major property on the boardwalk.

Wynn has declined to confirm discussions with Trump, although the latter told reporters recently that, “Steve and I are talking about something very exciting.” Both declined to answer questions on the subject during recent Q3 earnings conference calls. And Gov. Jon Corzine confirmed during a campaign stop in North Jersey earlier this week that he had met with Wynn last week, with that discussion focusing on a possible site.

Specifically, according to a source with knowledge of the plans, Wynn asked Corzine if the state would be willing to turn over Boardwalk Hall for redevelopment as part of the new mega-resort. Boardwalk Hall, a well-known landmark built in the late 1920s, seats 14,000 for a variety of events. Once known as Convention Hall before being replaced by the newer Atlantic City Convention Center, it was refurbished to the tune of $90 million just four years ago. It’s owned and operated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, a state agency.