(12/P102) TRENTON - The Department of Environmental Protection has issued a required land use permit to DGMB Casino LLC, allowing for the development of a new Margaritaville-themed restaurant and recreation center, plus retail space on the reconstructed Steeplechase Pier in Atlantic City, paving the way for job creation and economic growth in the region.

The plans call for construction of a 16,000-squarefoot restaurant called Margaritaville Landshark Bar & Grill at Resorts Casino Hotel on the rebuilt pier. Keeping with the character of other Margaritaville properties owned by entertainer Jimmy Buffett, plans for the restaurant and bar on the pier include island-themed landscaping, more than a dozen cabanas, as well as two beach volleyball courts, a bocce ball court, two horseshoe pits and a fire pit. An adjacent surf shop also is planned.

The new venture fits in perfectly with the Christie Administration’s continuing commitment to developing Atlantic City into a premier destination resort that offers world-class entertainment, shopping and dining in addition to casino gaming. It will provide the Atlantic City boardwalk with another destination that is vital to the city’s economy, and also will provide an overall boost to the state’s $38 billion tourism industry.

The proposed development was reviewed by the DEP and meets all of the state’s environmental standards, allowing for issuance of a necessary state Coastal Areas Facilities Review Act, or CAFRA, permit. Under terms of the permit, any beach and/or dune areas temporarily impacted by construction activities must be restored to pre-construction conditions immediately after completion of the project.

This project is expected to create 250 construction jobs and another 162 permanent jobs.

To view the permit please visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/docs/margaritavillepermit.pdf