Happy New Year!

And 2012 has already gotten off to an interesting start: last week, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority launched a web site, Revitalize Atlantic City, asking for public input on a possible Atlantic City master plan.

Last fall, the CRDA retained Jones Lang LaSalle to complete a master plan for the Tourism District, with JLL in turn bringing on board such noted consultants as the Jerde Partnership, the Birdsall Services Group and Hill Wallack law firm.

By law, the master plan must cover the use of the marina facilities, boardwalk development and nongaming, family friendly activities. CRDA has been given the authority to assume land use functions for the entire district.

But the CRDA must prepare and approve a plan by February 1, so stakeholder input is needed quickly. The survey isn’t complicated – pretty much asking what your stake in Atlantic City is (even if you’re just a visitor), what concerns need to be addressed by the plan, the city’s strengths and weakness, and whether AC is portrayed fairly by the media.

JLL and the CRDA also are holding public hearings on the plan, but good for them in embracing technology to allow all interested in the future of Atlantic City – even if they’re just there to drop some coins in a casino – to have their say.