Business Buzz
After more than 10 dormant years, the former Atlantic City Race Course is finally seeing new life for a formidable use.
There have been a number of uses proposed for the track since it hosted its final race in 2015. From retail and a high-tech office park, to a NASCAR track and entertainment uses, the variety of ideas has seemed almost endless.
Each of them had merit, but for one reason or another nothing came to fruition.
Millions of horse racing fans enjoyed the entertainment that the track provided since it opened in 1946, which played host to such celebrity guests as Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope in its heyday. There was also a legendary rock concert that took place in 1969 emulating Woodstock. The concert was called the Atlantic City POP Festival, and it attracted more than 100,000 attendees.
From the late 1970s, racing started to experience a decline in attendance due primarily to the advent of casino gambling. People started to gravitate to the casinos because of the instant gratification and the glitz and glamour of the venues. During the 1990s the track only operated on short meets. It was eventually sold to the Greenwood Racing Group.
Hamilton Township designated the subject property a redevelopment zone in 2009 to encourage developers to come in with proposals for the property.
In 2011 the track received a grant from the New Jersey Casino Simulcast Fund to support limited racing. There was even talk that the state government was considering a plan to permit casino gaming there, but that never gained traction.
The sad last day of racing occurred on Jan. 16, 2015. From that day on, the facility experienced a gradual deterioration of the clubhouse and grandstand. The owners realized it had reached a point of no return.
In 2018, Hamilton Township amended its redevelopment zone to offer further incentives. Finally in late 2024, Hamilton Township approved an amended redevelopment agreement with Patriot Equities, a development firm, to allow a fulfillment center as part of the redevelopment uses permitted at the site.
That’s how Amazon became interested in the site and came under contract to purchase the former Atlantic City Race Course.
The goal is to establish a 3-million-square-foot fulfillment center with a projection of creating more than 750 well-paying, much-needed jobs working alongside state-of-the-art robotics.
During a March 3, 2025 meeting, an Amazon representative and an attorney representing Amazon appeared before the Township Committee to detail the project.
The plans call for a 24/7 warehouse or Amazon robotics sortable facility. It plays an integral part in the overall process to get products to the consumer in the most expeditious manner possible. The purpose is to streamline the routing process for packages from the fulfillment center to their final destinations.
Mayor Art Schenker said, “We’re very excited with the prospect of Amazon coming to Hamilton Township. I feel as though this will not only be a major boost to Hamilton Township, it will promote regional economic growth.”
Congratulations to Mayor Schenker, and the entire Township Committee along with the planning and zoning boards for their efforts to facilitate the approval process and for providing creative incentives in an effort to see this project become a reality.
Our entire region needs to establish alternative employment opportunities other than the casinos.
Assuming Amazon will become a reality, it will be a part of the solution to diversify our economy.
“We’re excited by the prospect of redeveloping this property and opening a new operations facility in Hamilton Township,” said Amber Plunkett, Amazon representative. “The planning process around this project is still in the very early stages and we look forward to sharing more information in the coming months.”
Remember to support local businesses and stop, shop, stay and play in Atlantic county.
Rich Baehrle, of Berkshire Hathaway Fox and Roach, can be reached at 609-226-6680 or 609-641-0011. Email richardbaehrle@gmail.com or see www.getrichinrealestateSJ.com
