A rendering of the next phase of Stockton University’s campus in Atlantic City, which would be developed by the Atlantic City Development Corp. — Courtesy: Stockton University
By Joshua Burd
An expansion of Stockton University’s footprint in Atlantic City will officially begin later this month, when stakeholders break ground on a new 416-bed residence hall.
The school said it will join Atlantic City Development Corp., which developed the first phase of the mixed-use campus, and other dignitaries on Oct. 14 to mark the start of the construction in the city’s Chelsea neighborhood. Plans call for a 135,000-square-foot building at Atlantic and South Providence avenues, which will feature apartment-style living along with a lounge, meeting room and laundry facilities.
Gov. Phil Murphy and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney will be among those on hand at the event, in a nod to funding for the project in the recently approved state budget.
“We thank Gov. Phil Murphy and the Legislature for recognizing and providing the support Stockton needs to operate and expand our Atlantic City campus,” Stockton President Harvey Kesselman said. “It is more important than ever to create a more diversified economy in Atlantic City. The new residence hall will give even more students the chance to live, learn and earn in Atlantic City.”
The complex would replace the Eldredge Building, a six-story commercial property built in 1924, sitting across from O’Donnell Memorial Park and about a block from two existing Stockton buildings. Construction will once again take place through a public-private partnership with Atlantic City Development Corp., or AC Devco, which spearheaded the first phase of Stockton’s Atlantic City campus and a new headquarters tower for South Jersey Gas.
The initial $210 million project, which stretched from early 2017 to late 2018, was collectively known as the Atlantic City Gateway. The development has also attracted a satellite location for AtlantiCare Urgent Care.
“We are thrilled to be able to move forward with this project as part of the Gateway Initiative,” AC Devco President Christopher Paladino said. “This Phase II investment will join South Jersey Gas and AtlantiCare to further enhance the Chelsea neighborhood.”
Stockton Atlantic City opened in fall 2018 with an academic building, a 533-bed residential complex and a parking garage. The groundbreaking for the latest phase was initially scheduled for March, but was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Completion is slated for fall 2023.
Atlantic City milestone: New HQ tower marks completion of Gateway project