State senator says earlier discussions envisioned an AtlantiCare-operated facility, with the Rescue Mission continuing to help people experiencing homelessness.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — State Sen. Vince Polistina has revealed details of a previously discussed plan to relocate the Atlantic City Rescue Mission from its longtime location behind the Atlantic City Convention Center to property owned by Golden Nugget along the White Horse Pike.
The proposal, which Polistina said has not yet come to fruition, would involve building a new facility operated by AtlantiCare, with the Rescue Mission continuing to participate through a foundation.
Speaking Wednesday, October 21, on The Don Williams Show on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND, Polistina described the concept as part of a broader effort to improve Atlantic City's convention district while continuing to provide essential services for people experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges.
"The place that we were talking about was is a property that is on the Whitehorse Pike that is actually owned by the Golden Nugget," Polistina said.
His comments provide new details about a potential alternative location for the Rescue Mission, an institution whose proximity to the Convention Center has become part of the discussion surrounding Atlantic City's redevelopment.
A New Facility With AtlantiCare as Operator
Polistina said earlier discussions involved Atlantic City Rescue Mission President and CEO Dan Brown and a proposal to change the organization's operating structure.
"And what the plan would have been was for the Atlantic City Rescue Mission," Polistina said. "And, you know, we met with Dan Brown and we talked to him. He would have turned the Atlantic City Rescue Mission into a foundation."
Under that concept, the organization would continue supporting people in need, while AtlantiCare would assume responsibility for operating the proposed new facility.
"We would have built a new facility on property owned by the Golden Nugget on the Whitehorse Pike," Polistina said.
"And AtlantiCare would have operated that facility."
Polistina said the arrangement could bring homeless services, behavioral health care and addiction-related assistance into a more coordinated setting.
He explained that people experiencing mental health emergencies or substance use crises frequently turn to AtlantiCare's emergency department for help.
"And that has an impact on our health care," he said.
Polistina said AtlantiCare had previously expressed willingness to take a leadership role.
"They said that they would take the lead and they'll still do it," he said. "And I think we'll get this done as we move forward."
However, Polistina did not announce a construction schedule, funding agreement, property transaction or final commitment from the organizations involved.
The proposal's current status remains uncertain.
Why the Rescue Mission's Location Matters
The Atlantic City Rescue Mission is located at 2009 Bacharach Boulevard, near the Atlantic City Convention Center.
Founded in 1964, the nonprofit provides emergency shelter, meals, clothing and other assistance to people experiencing homelessness and related hardships.
Its location has drawn attention as elected officials and business leaders discuss ways to strengthen Atlantic City's convention and tourism industries.
Polistina said the city's future requires investment not only in the Convention Center itself but also in the surrounding neighborhood.
"The Convention Center, of course, is a topic that has generated a lot of public attention recently," he said.
"And that is not just the hotel, Don. That is related to the Convention Center itself, the need to invest back into the Convention Center, the need to relocate the Atlantic City Rescue Mission."
The senator said he previously discussed a relocation plan with former Gov. Phil Murphy's administration, but it did not move forward.
He argued that Atlantic City must find a way to improve its visitor experience without abandoning residents who need assistance.
"We still need to provide the services," Polistina said.
He also said the city's round-the-clock casino economy creates ongoing social-service challenges that require a coordinated response.
Balancing Tourism and Human Services
Polistina's comments highlight a longstanding question facing Atlantic City: how to strengthen the resort's tourism economy while ensuring that vulnerable residents continue to receive shelter, treatment and other services.
He argued that the location of the Rescue Mission and certain other social-service programs can affect visitors' perceptions of the resort.
But he emphasized that moving facilities should not mean eliminating the services they provide.
"We absolutely need to figure out a better way to deal with the challenges we face as it relates to all of the social services in Atlantic City," he said.
Polistina suggested that a new facility operated by a major health care provider could offer a different approach.
"We have a location we think makes sense," he said. "We have an operator that makes total sense to do this going forward."
His proposal would require agreement among multiple parties, including the Rescue Mission, AtlantiCare and the property owner, along with any necessary governmental approvals.
No such final agreement was identified during the interview.
AtlantiCare's Growing Role in Atlantic City
AtlantiCare has become increasingly involved in Atlantic City's economic and community development efforts.
The health system is working with state and local partners on the Renaissance Plaza redevelopment project and has announced educational partnerships intended to expand health care training opportunities in the city.
Polistina cited those initiatives as examples of how major regional institutions can contribute to Atlantic City's revitalization.
He said AtlantiCare understands the challenges facing the city because its employees and patients encounter them directly.
"And there is more to come from them being a leader in the region," Polistina said.
The senator described the health system as an important potential partner in addressing homelessness, addiction and behavioral health needs.
Whether that involvement will ultimately include operating a replacement for the Atlantic City Rescue Mission has not been publicly confirmed by AtlantiCare.
What Happens Next?
Polistina's remarks establish that a specific relocation concept has been discussed, including a potential site and operating arrangement.
They do not establish that the proposal has received final approval or that construction is imminent.
Several important questions remain unanswered, including whether Golden Nugget would make the property available, how a new facility would be financed, whether the Rescue Mission's board supports the proposed organizational changes and what services would be offered at the new location.
The impact on people who currently depend on the Rescue Mission would also be a critical consideration.
The organization continues to provide emergency shelter and assistance at its existing Atlantic City location.
For now, Polistina's comments offer a glimpse of a possible future arrangement that would connect homeless services more directly with regional health care resources while potentially opening new redevelopment opportunities near the Convention Center.
"I think we'll get this done as we move forward," Polistina said.
State Sen. Vince Polistina appeared October 21 on The Don Williams Show, airing weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.
About the Author
Scott Stephens
Scott has been an on-air personality, producer and newscaster for 30+ years. He has been a mainstay in the South Jersey Community and on the air across many different area stations. Scott can currently be heard on Kool 98.3 and News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.
