Kurtz Calls for Investment in Gardner’s Basin Docks, More Public Waterfront Access

ATLANTIC CITY — Sixth Ward Councilman Jesse Kurtz says Atlantic City's public docks at Gardner's Basin need capital investment and believes improving waterfront access for everyday residents should become a greater priority for the resort.

Kurtz addressed conditions at the city-owned marina Tuesday during an appearance on The AC Mike Lopez Show on WOND after a caller raised concerns about deteriorating docks and the inability of boaters to access portions of the facility.

The caller, George from Somers Point, described the marina as being in poor condition, with barricades preventing access to some areas.

Kurtz acknowledged that Gardner's Basin has struggled to reach its potential despite significant efforts over the years.

“One of my constituents is a retired dockmaster over there, and so I got a little bit of insight into how the city has run it over the years,” Kurtz said.

‘High Hopes’ Never Materialized

Kurtz said there was considerable optimism about Gardner's Basin when he first joined City Council more than a decade ago.

“There was a time, and it coincides with when I first got on council, so it's going back a little bit over 10 years ago, where there were high hopes for taking Gardner's Basin to the next level,” Kurtz said.

The city even changed the way the area was being managed.

“In fact, we even dissolved the board and brought in a management company,” Kurtz said.

But the expected results never came.

“It would be easy to blame one entity,” Kurtz said. “Life's more complicated than that.”

“The bottom line is those hopes did not materialize,” he said.

Kurtz said Gardner's Basin has effectively been trying to recover ever since.

“The details didn't work out the way people thought it would,” he said, “and I feel like Gardner's Basin has been recovering from that ever since.”

Aquarium Problems Diverted Resources

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic and an unexpectedly complicated renovation of the Atlantic City Aquarium.

Kurtz said resources that otherwise could have been directed toward capital improvements to the public docks instead went into the aquarium.

“You compound it with the COVID shutdown, and all the resources that would have gone towards capital improvement of those docks as part of the public dock system were poured into the aquarium,” Kurtz said.

The aquarium project turned out to require far more work than initially anticipated.

Kurtz compared it to discovering what appears to be a small problem while working on a house, only to find something much bigger underneath.

“As they started doing work in there, it turned out to be a disaster,” Kurtz said. “It's that quintessential project in your house. You see a little speck of mold.”

“And then you dig into it,” he continued. “Oh, my goodness.”

‘We Need Some Capital Funding’

Kurtz acknowledged that the condition of the public docks had not been at the top of his current agenda before the caller brought it up.

“It was not on my radar, so I certainly appreciate that, and I'm going to start asking some questions,” Kurtz said.

He said he believes Atlantic City has restored an adequate personnel structure for the facility, but physical improvements require money.

“I think we put the personnel back in place now, so there's a personnel structure that's adequate,” Kurtz said. “But now we need some capital funding there in order to shore up the docks.”

The condition of the marina has implications beyond recreational boating.

The caller argued that a functioning public marina allows boaters to dock at Gardner's Basin and spend money at nearby restaurants and businesses, turning the waterfront into an economic asset for the city.

Kurtz Wants Public Boat Ramp Rebuilt

The conversation prompted Kurtz to raise a related waterfront issue that he said has been on his radar: Atlantic City's public boat ramp.

“The public boat ramp — this isn't George's point — but as I'm talking about stuff I've always had on my radar, I keep pushing for that to be improved,” Kurtz said.

Kurtz said he has been assured that whatever ultimately happens with the redevelopment of Bader Field, its financial package and Green Acres adjustment will result in an improved public dock.

He pointed to the public facility in Somers Point as an example of what he'd like to see.

But Kurtz said the existing Atlantic City boat ramp needs attention as well.

“That little ramp there where boats and trailers slip off, I want to see that rebuilt too,” he said.

‘Public Access for Average People’

For Kurtz, the larger issue is ensuring Atlantic City's waterfront isn't accessible only to people who can afford private marinas and higher-end boating facilities.

“I think public access to the every person, not the high price point,” Kurtz said.

He said Atlantic City welcomes higher-end waterfront users, but they generally have other options.

“We love them, but they have other options,” Kurtz said.

Then he summed up what he believes should be the city's goal:

“Public access for average people needs to be something that we prioritize more and more here on the island in Atlantic City.”