Redevelopment of Bader Field in Atlantic City, including the Motor Club neighborhood, has received the go-ahead signal
In a significant move for the city of Atlantic City, the Renaissance at Bader Field project, a multibillion-dollar redevelopment plan, has been given the green light by the Atlantic City Council as of July 2025. The project, envisioned by DEEM Development Group, aims to transform the former municipal airport, which has been closed since 2006, into a motorsport living and entertainment hub.
The hub will be centred around a Formula One-graded racetrack, with approximately 4,000 luxury residences where homeowners can race their cars on the track and then drive directly into their homes. The development will also include a hotel, retail shops, restaurants, bars, a marina, and a live entertainment venue. The total phased development cost is estimated at about $3.4 billion.
Key partners and financial details of the project include DEEM Development Group, who have reportedly secured funding for the first phase, projected at $750 million to $800 million, which covers the racetrack and the largest residential buildings. DEEM will pay Atlantic City $100 million for the Bader Field property and contribute an additional $15 million for a new recreational/community center in the city.
The project includes infrastructure improvements such as elevating the land to withstand flooding, using spoil dredged from surrounding back bays by the Army Corps of Engineers. Additional benefits to the city include up to $115 million from the deal and the construction of a new firehouse.
However, the project faces opposition from competing developers, most notably Bart Blatstein, the owner of Showboat. Blatstein has expressed strong concerns about the bidding process, claiming the Atlantic City Council and Quetta Small, superintendent of Atlantic City Public Schools, did not conduct a fair, transparent, competitive bid for the redevelopment. He urged state officials to reject the Renaissance plan, citing lack of transparency and competitive bidding, which he says undermines public credibility.
Despite these concerns, there is optimism from casino industry leaders and city officials that the project can catalyse redevelopment and boost Atlantic City’s livability and economy. If approved by the state, the Renaissance at Bader Field project promises to revitalise the once-vacant Bader Field area with a distinctive motorsports theme and mixed-use community.
- Phil Murphy, the governor of New Jersey, has expressed support for the Renaissance at Bader Field project, believing it will significantly contribute to the redevelopment of Atlantic City.
- The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) is closely monitoring the progress of the Renaissance project, ready to invest in real-estate development should it prove beneficial for the city's economy and general news.
- Marty Small, the mayor of Atlantic City, recently stated that the successful completion of the Renaissance project could potentially attract new sports teams to the city, further enhancing its status as a sports hub.
- Critics argue that the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) and the Atlantic City Council bypassed conventional bidding procedures for the Renaissance project, a claim that Bart Blatstein, the owner of Showboat, has echoed vehemently.
- In response to these allegations, Quetta Small, superintendent of Atlantic City Public Schools, has defended the bidding process, stating that it was conducted fairly and transparently.
- With the green light given by the Atlantic City Council in July 2025, the post brothers (local Atlantic City power brokers) have intensified their efforts to ensure the success of the Renaissance project, which they believe will usher in a new era of economic prosperity for the city.
- Industry experts predict that the Renaissance at Bader Field project, if approved by state officials, could generate millions of dollars in taxes for New Jersey's finance department, providing significant funds for future investing in public services and infrastructure.
- If the Renaissance project moves forward as planned, it could pave the way for other large-scale redevelopment projects in Atlantic City, potentially marking a new renaissance for the city.
- Despite ongoing disagreements and debates, the general consensus among many residents and city officials is that the Renaissance at Bader Field project offers a unique opportunity for Atlantic City to redefine itself as a hub for motorsports, entertainment, and urban living.
