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Mayor Marty Small Sr. said the aquarium on North New Hampshire Avenue will reopen on Monday, July 1. The mayor made the announcement during his State of the City Address at the Metropolitan Business and Citizens Association Foundation Winter Luncheon on Friday, Feb. 2.
The mayor said he would "take the blame" for the long delays in reopening the aquarium on Gardner's Basin in the city's north end.
"If you spend millions and millions and millions of dollars on a project, and the inside looks great, but the exterior looks the same, it's a waste of money to me," Mayor Small Sr. said.
Atlantic City Aquarium has been closed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. According to the aquarium's Facebook page, it was temporarily closed for reconstruction and "tentatively" scheduled to reopen in the fall of 2023.
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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