By Erica Hoffman
There is an exciting, new, and forward-thinking development team taking Atlantic City by storm, MAP 3 Partners LLC. The unassuming yet perfectly matched trio submitted their New Jersey Economic Development Authority grant proposal in August 2023. Finally, after months of waiting and anticipation, MAP 3 learned in late January 2024 that they received a grant of almost $2.5 million ($2,484,850 to be exact). The grant is part of an initiative to aid recovery for cities still trying to recover from the economic despair resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. RMS Capital will provide additional funding for the project.
MAP 3 Partners LLC consists of Mark Callazzo, visionary real estate developer and co-owner of five restaurants, bars, and live music spaces along the beach block of Tennessee Avenue. Adam Zengel brings over twenty years of experience in marketing and event management. Zengel also boasts an impressive proven track record of building and executing numerous successful brand partnerships, large festivals, and events. Rounding out the eclectic bunch is Paige Washington, Director of Development at Sister Jeans Kitchen. Among her many other qualifications, Washington is a prolific poet, avid gardener, teacher, and mother of four. She lends her undeniable social entrepreneurship knowledge to the group. The three work together seamlessly.
The plan for the grant is to continue bringing more life into the city. “Atlantic City doesn’t have a ‘Main Street’. We’re focused on another transformation of Tennessee Avenue to make it truly Atlantic City’s town square,” Callazzo remarked. The plan for “Tenn Ave AC” is to become home to a container park at 1400 Pacific Avenue on the corner of Tennessee Avenue.
People need to be more familiar with what a container park is and why they are growing in popularity around urban spaces. A container park is a green developer’s dream. The concept allows someone to utilize a space, whether large or small. They are sustainable and watertight. Without this ingenuity, these containers would generally end up in a landfill or abandoned. That, added to the ease of construction and transport, makes container parks a no-brainer.
Furthermore, the grant aims to provide a unique opportunity between public and private entities while fostering sustainable and adaptable urban development. “This will become its own living, breathing entity,” Washington stated excitedly. “The community will dictate the limits to what this can become. Anything is possible.”
“This is as much a business venture as a community-owned creative space. We are very optimistic, even if that sounds generic. We are not limiting ourselves. We don’t want to limit our potential for anything. Maybe it’s not all containers. Maybe it grows into something else. There are so many things we’re not even thinking of,” Zengel added.
It’s official: MAP 3 Partners LLC has arrived, and they mean business. What kind of business? That’s up to the community. Shipping containers can be turned into almost anything. Residential units or, like in Tenn Ave AC’s case, can take on commercial uses like retail shops, restaurants, entertainment, or community spaces. Containers can connect, be built one on top of another, or be modular, providing endless possibilities.
We are excited to hear the community’s thoughts: people’s ideas, projects, stores, local farm stands, thoughts on classroom spaces, dedicated areas for community gatherings, art installations, and whatever else the community can come up with. No idea is too big, small, out of the box, weird, fun, educational, or delicious.
If you or your business are interested in becoming a part of the future of Atlantic City, now is the time. Maybe you just thought of your perfect plan, or you’ve been sitting on the one great idea that will take you to the next level. Whatever you are thinking, MAP 3 is ready to listen.
Construction is slated to start this year. The MAP 3 Partners are currently looking for tenants for the retail spaces and more. Those interested can contact info@tennaveac.com
