Atlantic Metropolis Boardwalk Allotted $20M for Repairs, Preservation
The Atlantic Metropolis Boardwalk will endure a $20 million restore to protect the enduring waterfront promenade that dates again to 1870.
The Atlantic Metropolis Boardwalk is seen in a 2019 file {photograph}. The Boardwalk is ready to endure a significant restore made doable by a $20 million grant. (Picture: Getty)
On Friday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) introduced $100 million in funding for 18 municipalities. The cash is granted to help the native governments in addressing capital wants to revive their boardwalks. Atlantic Metropolis, the on line casino capital of the East Coast, obtained probably the most cash with a $20 million grant.
So many people have created reminiscences with household and pals on the boardwalks of the Jersey shore. Our boardwalks have lengthy been a prized vacation spot and we wish to hold them that approach by serving to shore communities restore and keep these picket most important streets,” Murphy stated. “The grant awards introduced right now are a significant step in preserving the well being and dynamism of those particular locations.”
The $100 million comes from leftover cash the state obtained via the American Rescue Plan, the federal funding measure crafted as an financial stimulus program.
Boardwalk Restoration
Atlantic Metropolis’s Boardwalk is alleged to be the oldest within the nation. Initially designed to maintain sand out of the seashore’s neighboring resorts, “America’s Oldest Boardwalk” spans 5.5 miles and is about 60 ft broad, making it among the many world’s largest boardwalk constructions.
The Boardwalk was about seven miles lengthy till the 1944 Nice Atlantic Hurricane. The devastating Class 5 storm destroyed the southern finish of the Boardwalk, the place it beforehand stretched via Margate Metropolis. Right now, the Boardwalk ends at Fredericksburg Ave. in Ventnor, roughly 2.5 miles south of Tropicana, the southernmost on line casino in Atlantic Metropolis.
The $20 million grant shall be used to revive the historic landmark. The state launch stated the cash will fund the alternative of previous and crumbling decking and deteriorating pilings with extra resilient, longer-lasting supplies. The challenge may also lead to improved entry with ADA-compliant ramps and railings.
We acknowledge that boardwalks are the financial driver for a lot of shore cities and cities. They’re additionally extremely costly for native governments to take care of, restore, and strengthen,” commented Jacquelyn Suárez, the performing commissioner of the New Jersey Division of Group Affairs.
“To help this vital state asset, the Murphy Administration created the Boardwalk Preservation Fund to ease the monetary burden on native governments when enhancing their boardwalks. We’re assured these grant awards will assist our boardwalks thrive and proceed to encourage and delight guests for years to return,” Suárez added.
Essential to Casinos
The Atlantic Metropolis Boardwalk is a essential piece of infrastructure for six of the city’s 9 casinos. Many friends stroll the pathway in the course of the hotter months to entry adjoining resorts.
The Boardwalk gives a secure walkway for such pedestrian journey and connects Ocean On line casino, Laborious Rock, Resorts, Bally’s, Caesars, and Tropicana. Strolling from Ocean on the Boardwalk’s northern finish to Tropicana is a roughly 1.75-mile hike.
Atlantic Metropolis casinos generated brick-and-mortar gaming income of $2.84 billion final yr, a 2.2% year-over-year improve from 2022. The casinos are involved in regards to the yr forward, as lawmakers in Trenton think about laws to drive the 9 casinos to go smoke-free.
Together with the six Boardwalk casinos, Atlantic Metropolis’s Marina District is residence to a few on line casino resorts, together with Borgata, Harrah’s, and Golden Nugget.
