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Mayor Marty Small Sr. is expected to announce the aquarium's reopening date during his State of the City Address on Friday, Feb. 2, officials said.
The speech will be during the Metropolitan Business and Citizens Association Foundation Winter Luncheon at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
The aquarium on Gardner's Basin in the city's north end has been closed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. According to the aquarium's Facebook page, it was "tentatively" scheduled to reopen in the fall of 2023.
The lack of public information has left fans of the aquarium confused and fearing it would never reopen.
"Closed 2020 for supposed renovation," one person posted on the aquarium's page on Thursday, Jan. 11. "Here we are 2024, still closed. I would assume the AC Aquarium has gone extinct."
The city gave some insight into what's been happening at the aquarium in a news release on Tuesday, Jan. 23. Before it closed, the city said grant funding was secured for significant improvements to the North New Hampshire Avenue facility.
Once the renovations began, more damage was discovered and more unexpected repairs were needed, according to the city. The reopening was further delayed due to supply chain shortages in 2021 and 2022.
New roofing, windows, and floors have been added to the building. The aquarium also has a new deck and ceiling for the top-level lookout area.
The bathrooms were completely renovated and a new HVAC system was installed. Lighting and interior drywall have also been replaced. Crews also repaired duct work, electrical wiring, and plumbing.
The original renovation project didn't include upgrades to the outside of the building. The city said it secured money from the American Rescue Plan to pay for exterior improvements.
The city owns the aquarium and it's operated by the public works department.
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