Business Buzz
By Rich Baehrle
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small often opens events by saying, “It is a great day in Atlantic City; Can we say great day?” Tuesday was no different as the resort celebrated the grand reopening of the Atlantic City Aquarium after a five-year hiatus.
The aquarium, located in historic Garnder’s Basin, reopened its doors Tuesday, March 25 to an impressive crowd which included Mayor Marty Small, his wife La’Quetta, plus many local leaders, stakeholders and a large number of people from the community.
It has been five years since the aquarium has been open. The doors closed during COVID, but it’s back through the tenacity and perseverance of the mayor and other community leaders.
The aquarium showcases more than 100 species, highlighted by Groman, a 225-pound loggerhead sea turtle, plus diamondback turtles, southern and cow nose rays, seahorses, pipefish, lionfish, horseshoe crabs and much more.
Now more than ever, Atlantic City needs quality public attractions for visitors. The aquarium will serve just that purpose, offering fun and educational experiences. By early summer, it will be open with six hands-on touch tanks on the second floor, and daily touch tank feeding shows.
“The Atlantic City Aquarium has always been one of our city’s most precious gems in one of the most beautiful areas of Atlantic City, so the Small administration is thrilled to be able to reopen this building, looking and feeling like the first-class attraction it is. Our taxpayers deserve that,” said Small. “From our aquarium staff to our Public Works Department and engineering office, to our contractors and consultants, there are many individuals that deserve credit for the reopening. Our residents and visitors can now, once again, enjoy the unique experience that is the Atlantic City Aquarium.”
Prior to the closing, grant funding was secured through the NJ Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) for needed capital improvements including new drywall, ceilings, flooring and more. In addition, new decking, roofing and windows have been added to the exterior.
Unfortunately, supply chain difficulties caused delays in the construction process, and it became apparent that the task was much larger than originally anticipated. However, Mayor Small was determined that when the aquarium reopens, the building would look brand new both inside and out.
To reach that goal, the city needed to secure money for exterior improvements. They did so with American Rescue Plan funds. Rutala Associates, LLC, helped secure the grant funding.
It was a true city/community effort, led by the Public Works Department; Lisa Schall, nautical park manager of Gardner’s Basin, and Aquarist Sarita Ducote-Stroud continuing the monumental task of maintaining the facility throughout the closing.
Shore Aquarium Services cared for the fish throughout the closing. Credit is also given to City Engineer Uzo Ahiarakwe, along with Arthur Ponzio Co. and Associates, which served as the project manager; SOSF Architects and Remington and Vernick Engineers, who served as consultants.
Through funding from the city’s Community Development Block Grant office, the city’s Youth Services Division coordinated the painting of beautiful murals on the building’s second floor walls with local children, and artist Kelly Prevard painting new murals on the building’s exterior walls.
The Atlantic City Arts Foundation took care of the planters leading up to the entrance, sponsored by the Inlet CDC. The planter paintings feature work by local artist Tabitha Brown. Volunteers with the Atlantic City Hydrangea Trail worked to beautify the entire park.
The bottom line: words simply cannot describe the heart, sweat and endless hours of work that went into making the aquarium a showcase for locals and visitors to enjoy.
It’s open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Admission prices and further information can be obtained by calling 609-348-2880, or go to the website: https://www.acnj.gov/pages/acaquarium
Remember to support local businesses, especially small businesses.
Rich Baehrle, of Berkshire Hathaway Fox and Roach, can be reached at 609-266-6680 or 609-641-0011. Email richardbaehrle@gmail.com or see
www.getrichinrealestateSJ.com
