A $200 Million Vision for Pacific Avenue? What's Happening — and What's Still Just a Plan

Millions are already being spent to repave and modernize Atlantic City's casino corridor as state Sen. Vince Polistina says discussions continue over a much larger transformation

ATLANTIC CITY — Pacific Avenue is already getting new pavement, synchronized traffic signals and other infrastructure improvements.

But state Sen. Vince Polistina says the long-term vision being discussed for one of Atlantic City's most important streets is far more ambitious — potentially approaching $200 million.

Polistina said Wednesday that he continues to discuss a larger transformation of Pacific Avenue with state officials, one that could include improved sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, façades and new outdoor spaces designed to make the corridor more attractive and walkable.

He described the concept during an appearance on The AC Mike Lopez Show on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.

“The concept that I had talked to Governor Murphy and the last transportation commissioner ... about is, you've probably seen it, Mike, the Hard Rock plan was complete revitalization of Pacific Avenue,” Polistina said.

Polistina put the estimated price of that broader vision at approximately $200 million.

“The Hard Rock plan was about $200 million to get that whole thing done,” he said.

But there is an important distinction.

South Jersey NewsBeat has not located a publicly approved $200 million Pacific Avenue project or a funding package for one. The $200 million figure and Polistina's characterization of a “Hard Rock plan” come from the senator's description of discussions surrounding the corridor.

What South Jersey NewsBeat did find, however, is a long paper trail showing that the underlying idea of transforming Pacific Avenue has been discussed by state officials, planners and casino leaders for years.

A Vision That Goes Back Years

As far back as 2012, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority's Tourism District Master Plan envisioned portions of Pacific Avenue as pedestrian-oriented entertainment zones.

The plan called for activated sidewalks and additional restaurants, bars, cafés, nightclubs, entertainment venues and retail, along with hardscape and landscape improvements.

Nearly a decade later, the Murphy administration's Atlantic City Restart and Recovery Working Group made revitalizing Pacific Avenue one of its recommendations.

Its 2021 report called for refreshing the structures and appearance along the avenue through measures that included demolishing deteriorated buildings, adding greenery, improving lighting, rehabilitating storefronts and relocating service yards and dumpsters.

That vision bears similarities to what Polistina described Wednesday.

He said improvements could include cleaning up blighted properties, rebuilding sidewalks, landscaping and dramatically improving lighting.

“We need to deal with this lighting situation and get the city much more lit,” Polistina said. “And, you know, fun lights.”

“It doesn't all have to be these LEDs, just white lights,” he continued. “Let's make it fun. Let's make it exciting. Let's do something different for the city of Atlantic City.”

Polistina: Think Nashville, Not Las Vegas

Polistina said he does not envision Pacific Avenue trying to mimic the Las Vegas Strip.

Instead, he pointed to entertainment districts in places such as Nashville and Savannah.

“We're totally different than Vegas, obviously,” Polistina said, noting Atlantic City's beach and Boardwalk.

He said he looks at areas such as Broadway in Nashville, with outdoor activity, bars and entertainment, as examples of the atmosphere Atlantic City could try to create.

“I see no reason whatsoever why Pacific Avenue can't become something like you see in Nashville, that type of area, or Savannah, or one of these areas where you just have a much more inviting, exciting, well-lit, safe, you know, atmosphere,” Polistina said.

That remains Polistina's vision, not an approved redevelopment plan.

Some Major Work Is Already Funded

While the larger transformation remains a proposal, substantial work on Pacific Avenue is already moving forward.

Atlantic City and NJDOT announced in October 2025 that Pacific Avenue would be completely repaved.

The city said $5.3 million in state and federal grants had been awarded for several Atlantic City infrastructure projects, including $1.08 million for Pacific Avenue from Connecticut to North Carolina avenues and $3.5 million for sections from North Carolina to Indiana avenues and Hartford to Arkansas Avenue.

Atlantic City has since awarded a 2026 Pacific Avenue paving contract, according to the city's current list of awarded contracts.

An even larger technological upgrade is also underway.

The Pacific Avenue Signal Optimization Project is designed to synchronize 35 traffic signals along the corridor. The project includes new vehicle-detection equipment, traffic-signal controllers and approximately seven miles of fiber-optic cable connecting the system.

The city awarded South State Inc. a $6.26 million contract for that project in 2025, city records show.

The system is designed to adjust signal timing based on traffic conditions, reducing delays and improving travel times along Pacific Avenue.

Those paving and signal projects are real and funded.

They should not, however, be confused with the much larger approximately $200 million concept described by Polistina.

What About $50 Million From NJDOT?

Polistina also made another significant claim Wednesday.

He said NJDOT indicated during previous discussions that approximately $50 million could potentially be available toward the larger Pacific Avenue vision.

“The DOT last year, when we were going through these conversations, indicated they could come up with about $50 million,” Polistina said. “So at least that's a start.”

South Jersey NewsBeat has not located a public NJDOT funding award committing $50 million to a larger Pacific Avenue redevelopment.

Accordingly, the $50 million figure should be viewed as Polistina's account of discussions with transportation officials rather than money that has been formally awarded.

Hard Rock Has Publicly Pushed for Pacific Avenue Improvements

Polistina's reference to Hard Rock also has a public history.

Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen has previously called for significant improvements along Pacific Avenue and argued that vacant and deteriorated properties surrounding Atlantic City's casino district hurt the resort's image.

Hard Rock Atlantic City President George Goldhoff has similarly advocated for creating a safer, more walkable entertainment district extending beyond the casinos.

Those comments fit with the broader concept Polistina described Wednesday, although South Jersey NewsBeat has not obtained the specific Hard Rock plan to which the senator referred.

New Governor, Continuing Conversation

Polistina said the Pacific Avenue discussion has continued into Gov. Mikie Sherrill's administration.

He said he recently spoke one-on-one with Sherrill about Atlantic City and specifically raised Pacific Avenue.

“I did have an opportunity to talk to her one-on-one about Atlantic City, about Pacific Avenue, about the need to invest in Pacific Avenue,” Polistina said.

Polistina also referenced what he described as former Gov. Phil Murphy's commitment to Pacific Avenue becoming a state road.

South Jersey NewsBeat has not located documentation showing that a transfer of jurisdiction to the state has occurred, so that portion of Polistina's comments also remains his description of previous discussions.

Polistina said he believes Atlantic City has a case for additional state investment as the casino market faces increased competition and other economic pressures.

“We need some of that support back because we do have some challenges here that we really need to focus on,” he said.

From Traffic Corridor to Entertainment District?

For now, Pacific Avenue's transformation is occurring in pieces.

Millions of dollars in paving and signal work are either funded or underway. State planning documents going back years envision a more attractive and pedestrian-oriented Pacific Avenue. Casino leaders have publicly pushed for improvements.

But the approximately $200 million transformation Polistina described Wednesday has not been approved or funded as a single project, based on records reviewed by South Jersey NewsBeat.

That leaves a significant gap between what's happening today and what Polistina says officials have discussed for the future.

His vision is to eventually bridge that gap and turn Pacific Avenue from primarily a heavily traveled route through the casino district into another Atlantic City destination.

“Let's make it fun,” Polistina said. “Let's make it exciting.”

State Sen. Vince Polistina discussed Pacific Avenue Wednesday on The AC Mike Lopez Show, heard weekdays from noon to 1 p.m. on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.