Barbara Woolley-Dillon
City Planner
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Biography
Ms. Woolley-Dillon was hired in December 2018 to lead the City’s Planning and Development Department. She was brought in to refine the City’s vision for development and revitalization efforts and to bring the City to the toward completing development and redevelopment efforts. In total, she brings over thirty (30) years of professional planning experience to serve in her current capacity.
Although her initial focus was finance and investments, she transitioned into the Planning field over ten (10) years. Engineering site design, landscape, interior design and architectural design, and a serving as a land use paralegal, brought Ms. Woolley-Dillon to the realization that she could combine these vastly different disciplines as a Professional Planner.
Ms. Woolley-Dillon has worked for several and founded/managed a private Planning and then a private Engineering and Planning firm, served as a Zoning Official, Code Enforcement Official, and Flood Plain Manager. She has also held the position as a Community Development Director, redevelopment Planner and municipal Planner for other communities throughout New Jersey. Most recently she has been focusing on Sustainability and Resiliency and their impacts on coastal areas. The City’s Planning Department is in the process of updating the existing Master Plan. This document will continue to move Atlantic City toward fulfilling its vision.
She maintains certifications and licenses from the New Jersey State Board of Professional Planners, and the American Institute of Certified Planners, and the Environmental Certification relating to Wetlands Delineation (Soils, Hydrology, and Vegetation). At this time she is pursuing the Certified Public Manager (CPM) and Certified Flood Plain Manager (CFM) designations. Additionally, she teaches the mandatory training class for planning and zoning board members and has been a guest lecturer for educational classes related to Planning.
Ms. Woolley-Dillon achieved an Associates Degree in Architectural and Interior Design, a Bachelors Degree in Urban Studies with the Urban Planning Option from Rutgers University (Camden), and a Master’s Degree in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania.
Rutgers Climate Bridge Panel 5: The Impact of Sea Level Rise
Abstract
One of Atlantic City’s best assets is the Atlantic Ocean. It is a prominent feature, and its lure has continually drawn the City’s residents, visitors, and investors. Development has continued in the area for over 175 years. Cycles of wealth and investment have been countered by economic downturns such as the Great Depression and several recessions. The adoption of Casino gambling in 1976 forever changed the face of the City. At its peak there were thirteen (13) Casino Hotels that employed nearly 42,000 workers. The Casino economy attracted over 34.5 million visitors annually and produced revenues of $7.5 billion each year. The Housing Bubble Burst that began in 2007 had a domino effect that swiftly rippled throughout the area, region, and State. It was further exacerbated by an economic downturn that resulted in four (4) of the Casinos being permanently shuttered and the loss of over 20,000 jobs and billions in annual revenue. To this day Atlantic City continues to serve as a major regional employer and focal point for the southern New Jersey, Philadelphia, and New York area. It has survived scandal, political battles, near bankruptcy, and State take-over. Both challenges and opportunities abound, and the City is renowned for continually reinventing itself. It is poised for an economic resurgence supported by its many partners, stakeholders, and private investors. The real estate market continues to generate activity and interest and the value of the properties continue to rise. Atlantic City ranks as one of the top ten (10) most diverse cities in the United States. The City’s schools boast thirty-seven (37) different languages spoken by the student population. With all of these unique qualities, the City faces other challenges. As blessed as the City has been, there have always been the “two (2) sides” to its mirror. Currently over one-third (37.1%) of the City’s nearly 38,000 residents live at or below the poverty level. Economic challenges often limit choices for those most severely impacted, particularly relating to housing and transportation. Nearly the entire City is located in a flood plain area. From 1929 through 1988 sea level rise has already increased the level of the Atlantic Ocean by up to three feet (3') in areas along the Jersey coastline. Sea level rise in the Atlantic City area is projected to increase by almost an additional two and one-half feet (2 ½') by 2070. This change is significant and has the ability to dramatically alter and impact the future form of the City. A decision had to be made to either “fight or flight” against this quiet and persistent opponent. Poised on the brink of redevelopment and revitalization, the City has determined what its course will be. Please join the Panel 5 discussion “The Sea” to see what approach(es) Atlantic City has chosen and the path moving forward into the next century.