Six New Homes, Renovated Park and Supermarket Expansion: Shabazz Details Atlantic City Redevelopment Progress

Atlantic City councilman says several neighborhood projects are nearing completion, with new opportunities for first-time homebuyers and improvements to shopping, recreation and city streets.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Six new homes for first-time buyers, a renovated neighborhood park, an expanding supermarket and a nearly completed mixed-use building are among the redevelopment projects moving forward in Atlantic City, according to Councilman Kaleem Shabazz.

During an Oct. 12 appearance on Off The Press with Scott Cronick on News Talk 1400 and 92.3 WOND, Shabazz described a series of projects he said are beginning to deliver visible improvements for residents.

Shabazz, who chairs City Council's Planning and Development Committee, said the investments reflect redevelopment taking place in neighborhoods throughout the resort, not just along the Boardwalk and in casino areas.

"It's just part of the wave of redevelopment that's happening in Atlantic City across all the wards," Shabazz said.

Six New Homes for First-Time Buyers

One of the projects Shabazz highlighted involves six new homes on South Carolina Avenue that he said are approaching their ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The three- and four-bedroom brick homes are intended for first-time homeowners, with residents selected through a lottery administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, according to Shabazz.

He described the development as an opportunity to strengthen an established residential neighborhood while helping families achieve homeownership.

"The Atlantic City residents were first-time homeowners," Shabazz said, describing those selected for the properties.

"When people see these houses, it's going to be a demonstrable uplift to the community," he added.

Shabazz did not announce a specific date for the ribbon cutting or provide the homes' purchase prices during the interview.

He said the development complements other housing investments taking place across the city.

More Than $1 Million Invested in Weeks Park

Shabazz also discussed improvements to Weeks Park, a neighborhood green space named in honor of Bruce Weeks, a former municipal court assignment judge.

According to Shabazz, the city has invested more than $1 million in the property, including work to address underground tanks and other environmental conditions.

"The city put over a million dollars in Weeks Park to remediate the things that had to be done there, tanks and things under the ground," he said.

Shabazz said the park is already open, although additional improvements and a formal ceremony are planned.

One of those additions will be a sculpture connecting the park to the cultural history associated with Chicken Bone Beach.

The councilman said the project will involve the Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation and its founder, Henrietta Shelton, whose organization has promoted African American cultural history and music education in Atlantic City.

The foundation's work received additional recognition in June when the city unveiled a New Jersey Black Heritage Trail marker honoring Chicken Bone Beach, a historically significant gathering place for African Americans during segregation.

Shabazz said the planned sculpture will further connect neighborhood improvements with the city's cultural heritage.

Renaissance Plaza Supermarket Expansion Underway

Another development involves the supermarket at Renaissance Plaza, where Shabazz said expansion work is progressing while the store continues serving customers.

"The expansion is going on as we speak, and the supermarket is open while they're expanding," Shabazz said.

He said workers have removed a wall and are expanding the grocery store into space previously occupied by a medical office.

"They knocked out a wall. They've expanded into a medical office used to be there, so it's going to be a very, very big increase in the supermarket size," he said.

Shabazz also reported improvements to lighting and security.

The expansion follows a broader effort by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority to improve Renaissance Plaza and strengthen access to groceries in Atlantic City.

In October 2025, CRDA announced authorization of a long-term lease agreement with Moran Foods to operate and enhance a grocery store at the shopping center.

The agency said it had invested nearly $20 million, with funding from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, in infrastructure improvements supporting Renaissance Plaza's revitalization.

The initiative was intended to modernize the shopping center and improve residents' access to fresh food and other grocery products.

Shabazz's comments indicate that at least some of the anticipated improvements are now taking shape.

He said he visits the supermarket regularly and has personally observed the construction.

"The progress on the supermarket is readily available for people to see," he said.

Mixed-Use Building Nearing Completion

Shabazz also reported that redevelopment of a building near Tennessee and Atlantic avenues is nearly finished.

The property, which he identified as the former Swing Building, is being developed by Philadelphia-based Olden Properties.

The project includes residential units with retail space on the ground floor, according to Shabazz.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony had been scheduled but was postponed because of weather.

"The work is, I believe, almost 100% done," Shabazz said.

He said a new date for the ceremony is expected, although he did not provide one during the interview.

The development is another example of the city's effort to combine housing and commercial activity in existing neighborhoods.

Atlantic Avenue Paving Nearly Finished

Shabazz also praised the progress of Atlantic City's street improvements, particularly the paving of Atlantic Avenue.

"Atlantic Avenue is, to me, it looks like it's about 100% done. If it's not, it's very, very close," he said.

The city began a major paving effort in September that included work on Atlantic and Pacific avenues.

Shabazz credited Mayor Marty Small Sr., city engineers, contractors and City Council for advancing the improvements.

"The Atlantic Avenue transition from what it was to what it is now is very favorable," he said.

Cronick agreed, describing the improved driving conditions after traveling along the roadway.

"It's an actual joy to drive down these streets at this point," Cronick said.

Shabazz said he had also heard positive reactions from residents, including his daughter, who had complained about the effect of deteriorated road conditions on her vehicle.

He expects similar improvements on Pacific Avenue, although he did not have a specific construction schedule available during the interview.

"Pretty soon we'll be saying the same thing about Pacific Avenue," Shabazz said.

Redevelopment Beyond the Casino District

Taken together, the projects represent different approaches to neighborhood investment, including homeownership, environmental remediation, grocery access, commercial redevelopment and transportation improvements.

Some are already in use, while others are nearing completion or awaiting formal openings.

Shabazz emphasized that the work involves multiple public agencies, private developers and city officials.

He also pointed to continuing development in the Inlet and other neighborhoods as evidence of broader investment across Atlantic City.

For residents, he said, the goal is to make improvements visible in everyday life, from driving on smoother streets to shopping at an expanded supermarket and seeing new families move into neighborhood homes.

"The city is better off for it," Shabazz said of the improvements.

Councilman Kaleem Shabazz discussed Atlantic City's redevelopment projects on Off The Press with Scott Cronick on News Talk 1400 and 92.3 WOND on Monday, Oct. 12. The program airs Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.