The City of Atlantic City celebrated the start of construction on the new and improved City Hall Courtyard, today, with an official groundbreaking ceremony outside City Hall. The courtyard improvement project, which is in partnership between the city, Atlantic County and the State of New Jersey, will be called “Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver Plaza” in honor of the late New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver. Her name will be etched in the building above the main entrance, and will be placed on street signs throughout the courtyard.
Following this morning’s news conference at City Hall, Mayor Marty Small, Sr. was joined by Sheila Oliver’s family and friends, City of Atlantic City department directors, members of City Council, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn Suarez and other county and state leaders to place the shovels in the dirt to formally commemorate the start of construction on this project.
“We wanted to find a way to pay tribute to Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, who always fought the good fight for Atlantic City,” said Mayor Small. “This project will embody the spirit of Sheila Oliver. She always talked about retiring in Atlantic City, and now she will be forever retired in this great city, while employees and guests will be able to enjoy this beautiful space for years to come.”
The project incorporates environmentally responsible renewable energy concepts and enhanced security and safety features, such as improved lighting throughout the courtyard and the addition of lanterns on the walls of the buildings. A cover will be added above the walkway leading to the main entrance to City Hall. That area will also now be gated. Aesthetic and convenience improvements include the addition of fixed and built-in benches throughout the courtyard, a rain garden, a marble fountain, a pergola, the painting of existing concrete walls and the planting of beautiful trees, shrubs and grass. The project also features a redesigned main parking lot and north parking lot.
Arthur W Ponzio & Associates Inc and SOSH Architects are the engineering firms behind the project. Weatherby Construction Corporation is the contractor. The project is anticipated to be completed by Fall of 2024.
