Christie gets 100K signature plea to let Atlantic City man keep his home

“An Atlantic City homeowner whose residence was seized under eminent domain by the state’s Casino Reinvestment Development Authority has delivered a petition with 100,000 signatures to Gov. Chris Christie asking him to intercede and block the land grab.

Charlie Birmbaum’s home at 311 Oriental Ave. in Atlantic City was condemned in February as part of a CRDA move to create a large parcel land that would be attractive to potential developers for a “mixed-use” project to complement the now-bankrupt Revel Casino.

It’s unclear to Birnbaum and even to the state what the area that would include Birnbaum’s 3 story home would actually be used for.

“We’re assembling land for developers as part of our development plan for the area,” said Elaine Zemansky, a spokeswoman CRDA.

Zemansky said she couldn’t comment further on any specific plans for the area or on Birnbaum’s case, because a hearing before Superior Court Judge Julio L. Mendez is scheduled for Jan. 13.”

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Brodesser-Aknew, Claude. NJ.com 18 December 2014.