Atlantic City celebrated the grand opening of the Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver Plaza outside City Hall — named in honor of New Jersey’s late lieutenant governor. Mayor Marty Small Sr. Thursday was joined by New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Jaquelyn Suarez, the family of Sheila Oliver and city, county and state officials to cut the ribbon on the new space, which incorporates enhanced security and safety features in addition to environmentally responsible, renewable energy concepts.
“This space embodies the spirit of Sheila Oliver, who laid the foundation for many of the positive things you’re seeing happening in the great city of Atlantic City, and is the reason so many of our fine programs at City Hall exist,” said Mayor Small. “She was a champion for Atlantic City and deserves to be honored in the greatest way possible. This new courtyard not only shows we appreciate her efforts, but that the Small administration cares about our employees and residents in a deep way.”
The main entrance to City Hall, which has been closed since construction began on this project in the spring of 2024, has reopened and now features a covered walkway and security gate. For additional safety measures, lighting has been improved throughout the courtyard with lanterns placed on the building’s exterior walls, with main and employee entrance doors having been reconfigured. Sheila Oliver’s name is etched above the main entrance walkway, and her name and image can be found on signs and structures all around the new courtyard.
Aesthetic and convenience improvements include the addition of fixed and built-in benches throughout the courtyard, a rain garden, a marble fountain and a pergola, plus the planting of trees, shrubs and grass. Existing walls on the building’s exterior were power-washed and repainted. Walking space throughout the courtyard has been expanded for better pedestrian accessibility.
The project also features the repaving and redesign of City Hall’s main parking lot, with a parking attendant booth now located at the entrance from the South Carolina Avenue side of the building. Later this month, six electric vehicle (EV) stations will be added to the parking lot.
Atlantic City’s Planning & Development department, under the leadership of Director Jacques Howard, and the City’s Engineering Office, under the leadership of City Engineer Uzo Ahiarakwe, led the efforts in carrying out Mayor Small’s vision for Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver Plaza. Arthur W Ponzio Co. & Associates Inc. and SOSH Architects are the engineering firms behind the project. Weatherby Construction Corporation was the contractor.
