Atlantic
City, NJ – Three state agencies are
joining forces in a $2.9 million project to
renovate the Atlantic City Armory to create
a youth center for Atlantic City children
for after-school, job training, and recreation
programs, including indoor soccer and track.
The
renovation plans were announced today by Attorney
General Anne Milgram; Major General Glenn
K. Rieth, Adjutant General of the New Jersey
National Guard; and Thomas Carver, the executive
director of the Casino Reinvestment Development
Authority. Joining them was State Senator
James Whelan.
The
project is part of the prevention component
of Governor Corzine’s Strategy for Safe
Streets and Neighborhoods. The renovation
will provide a home for community-based after-school,
job training, and recreation programs, soccer
and track competitions and leagues.
Programming
at the Armory is to be developed by the Office
of the Attorney General, working closely with
local partners such as Atlantic Cape Community
College and other youth-serving organizations.
A similar project renovated the Jersey City
Armory, where programs are run by the Jersey
City Department of Recreation.
Construction
funding for the Atlantic City Armory project
is provided by the Department of Law &
Public Safety ($900,000), the Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs ($1,000,000),
and CRDA ($1,000,000).
“This
is a significant partnership that demonstrates
the state’s commitment to pooling our
resources to further our goal of reducing
violent crime by stepping in to help at-risk
youth with meaningful programs that are pathways
to productive lives. I am grateful for the
support of the Casino Reinvestment Development
Authority and the Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs to move this project forward,”
Attorney General Milgram said.
“We
can’t simply arrest our way out of the
street gang problem. We have toughened our
laws and more aggressively targeted violent
criminals, but it’s also our responsibility
to support prevention programs that will help
kids resist the threats of gang recruitment
and intimidation,” she added.
"The
New Jersey National Guard is a community based
organization and this project is a prime example
of the synergy that will be created with the
youth in Atlantic County, community leaders
and the military team,” said Major General
Rieth. “New Jersey is fortunate to have
such partners in its arsenal all working together
to achieve a common goal."
“The
CRDA remains committed and dedicated to the
youth of Atlantic City, and is proud to provide
the financial support to move this project
forward. Providing young people a safe and
exciting place to gather for recreation and
learning programs can only strengthen the
community of Atlantic City,” Carver,
the CRDA executive director said.
Renovations
to the drill floor at the Armory will convert
the floor to an indoor soccer field and track.
Adjoining classrooms will also be renovated
to provide space for classrooms, locker rooms
and program offices.
Construction
design for the renovation is expected to be
completed by November, and the project put
out for bid in December. Construction should
begin in February and be completed next fall.
Program
planning involves eventually selecting an
experienced agency to serve as the Armory’s
program operator and also creating a strategy
to bring in program funding and other revenue-generating
activities such as soccer leagues, track meets
and special events, to cover costs, such as
utilities and security.
"Thank
you to the Attorney General, General Rieth,
and the CRDA for coming up with a common sense
and efficient solution that better utilizes
an existing, centrally located facility and
provides much needed activities for our young
kids,” State Sen. Whelan said. “The
benefits of empowering youth to participate
in and become part of the Armory community
will be especially positive in encouraging
safe, responsible behavior outside the facility
and in the future."
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