One of the most spectacular gems in all of Atlantic City, Historic Gardner’s Basin, has undergone a series of renovations and improvements during the past year thanks to the Mayor Marty Small, Sr. administration. Those improvements, along with the announcement of future projects and an update on the reopening of the Atlantic City Aquarium were highlighted during a news conference at Gardner’s Basin.

 

The City hoped to reopen the Atlantic City Aquarium this Summer after a four-year closure due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and much needed repair work. Unfortunately, supply chain and funding issues delayed the start of the exterior work and final stages of interior repair, including Phase II of HVAC replacement. City of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr. was able to secure the funding needed for Phase II, which wasn’t part of the initial project. Exterior improvements were not part of the original scope of work, and Mayor Small determined the exterior needed to be fixed along with the interior before opening. The grand reopening has been pushed back at least a few months, with the hopes now being the Aquarium reopens before the year is over. To date, rehabilitation to the Aquarium’s interior, window and roof replacement, and Phase I of HVAC replacement have been completed while work on the building’s exterior (siding, trim, decks, railings, front entry doors and the addition of an entry area Mural), through various funding sources, including American Rescue Plan funds, is nearing completion. Visitors to the Aquarium can expect new, thrilling exhibits upon its reopening.

 

During the news conference, Mayor Small also announced the City received $1.4-million in grant funding to demolish the seawall bathroom attached to the Atlantic City Aquarium, where a brand-new bathroom facility will be constructed for public use. The seawall bathroom has not been open for several years. Reconstruction is expected to begin in the coming months with plans to fully reopen in time for the 2025 Summer season. Other completed projects at Gardner’s Basin in recent months include pier and piling replacement, dredging, new lighting and signage throughout the basin, improvements to the parking areas and sidewalks, and new EV charging stations. The City is also announcing further upcoming projects at Gardner’s Basin, including improvements to the maintenance building (new roof and painting), security camera improvements and trash enclosure construction adjacent to the maintenance building to centralize trash and recycle collection for the entire basin. These projects are all anticipated to get underway no later than this Spring.