The Atlantic City Council voted to award a contract for the Atlantic Avenue Corridor Revitalization and Safety Project (Component 2) and heard a presentation from Mayor Marty Small laying out immediate paving and traffic-signal work on Pacific Avenue.

The council approved by roll call a resolution to award the contract to South State, Inc.; the initial vote was reported as seven in favor and one opposed and was later changed so the tally read eight in the affirmative, according to the meeting record. Mayor Marty Small then summarized schedule and scope for Atlantic and Pacific avenues and described steps taken to free grant funds needed for the work.

The mayor said the Atlantic Avenue work will “pave the remaining streets on Atlantic Avenue,” and explained the project was delayed after stakeholders sued the city: “This would have been done 2 years ago if our stakeholders didn't sue us.” He credited Congressman Jeff Van Drew with help securing release of grant money and said the project can move forward now that funds have been cleared.

Why it matters: the contract governs street reconstruction and safety features on Atlantic Avenue, a major corridor for residents and tourism. The mayor also described a related near-term work plan on Pacific Avenue that will change traffic signal timing and repave blocks, measures that affect traffic flow, transit access and local businesses.

Key details:
- Formal action: Council approved the resolution to contract with South State, Inc. for the Atlantic Avenue Corridor Revitalization and Safety Project, Component 2. The vote was reported in the meeting as ultimately eight in the affirmative; the clerk announced that Councilwoman Dunston later changed her vote to make the final tally unanimous for those present. The transcript does not record the mover and seconder text in a way that identifies full names for the motion.
- Mayor’s timeline and scope: Mayor Marty Small said roughly “2, maybe 4 blocks” of Pacific Avenue will be paved in the immediate phase and described a possibility — if the administration receives a firm price — of completing the entire Pacific Avenue corridor. He also said Pacific and Atlantic Avenue signals will be synchronized and that curb-cut and other work is underway; paving is weather-dependent and scheduled to resume next week, per the mayor’s remarks.
- Litigation and funding: The mayor indicated the project was held up by litigation and that release of grant funds required negotiation; he credited Congressman Van Drew with helping to get the federal funds released for the work.

Discussion and next steps: Council discussion centered on the contract vote and the mayor’s presentation rather than amendments to scope. The administration said it will continue to coordinate construction scheduling and notify the public; no further council direction or amendment to the contract was recorded in the transcript. Timing for full Pacific Avenue work depends on receiving a cost estimate and weather conditions.

Details from the meeting record: the contract resolution was listed as Resolution 678; the council clerk announced the vote changes on the record during the meeting. The mayor’s presentation and the contract vote were placed at the front of the agenda and took place prior to several ceremonial resolutions.

Local context and impact: the work affects Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Avenue corridors used by residents, tourists and commercial traffic. Funding referenced in the meeting includes a federal grant whose release the mayor said was necessary for the project's start. The transcript notes the project had been delayed for about two years by legal action involving stakeholders, which the mayor said has now been resolved enough to move forward.

Ending: City officials said they will proceed with contractor mobilization and schedule updates; the public can expect localized construction impacts and should look for city updates on timing and detours.