The City of Atlantic City and Mayor Marty Small, Sr. were recently notified that the New Jersey Historic Trust has recommended the award of five grants for projects in Atlantic City.  The applications included three City sponsored projects – the interior restoration of Fire House #2, condition assessments and design development for Fire House #3 and Fire House #6, and funding for a Black history tour to celebrate the City’s rich African American cultural and architectural history.  No other city received as much funding as Atlantic City. In addition, grants are recommended for the Absecon Lighthouse and Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.

 

In 2019, the City established a Historic Preservation Commission and in 2020 Atlantic City become a Certified Local Government.  As a Certified Local Government community, Atlantic City is afforded the opportunity to comment on National Register of Historic Places nominations within the City, to receive enhanced technical assistance, and to apply for preservation planning grants available only to participating communities. The City recently started construction of the exterior restoration of the historic Fire House #2 at the corner of Indiana and Baltic Avenues. This $750,000 grant allows this work to continue with improvements planned for the inside of the Fire House to repair, upgrade and install new electrical, mechanical and plumbing as well as to rehabilitate the first floor while preserving and restoring remaining original finishes.

 

Additional $750,000 capital grants were recommended for the Absecon Lighthouse and Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. The grant recommendations, which have been approved by the New Jersey Historic Trust Board, will be presented to the Garden State Preservation Trust at its next meeting and require a legislative appropriations bill and the Governor’s approval before funds are made available.