Atlantic City Preserves a Century of History with $1.5M for Fire Station 2 Interior Restoration

Atlantic City’s beloved Fire Station 2 — officially known as the Marvin E. Beatty Jr. Memorial Fire Station — is poised to receive a new lease on life. At a news conference this week, Mayor Marty Small Sr. announced the city has secured $1.5 million in grant funding devoted entirely to revitalizing the aged structure’s interior. This significant investment follows a successful exterior restoration and underscores a commitment to preserving historical assets while upgrading them for the future. Breaking ACACNJ

The Grants That Made It Possible

The interior restoration is funded through two equal grants:

• $750,000 from the New Jersey Historic Trust, a state agency dedicated to safeguarding New Jersey’s architectural and cultural heritage. ACNJWikipedia

• $750,000 from the African American Civil Rights Grant, administered by the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund. ACNJBreaking AC

Together, these grants reflect a coordinated effort by state and federal partners to preserve a building that’s not only an architectural fixture but also a community landmark.

A Station with Deep Roots and Purpose

Located at the corner of Indiana and Baltic Avenues, Fire Station 2 is over 100 years old. Built during the era of horse-drawn fire wagons, its design and surviving stable area connect today’s first responders with their early predecessors. The station was also among the first in Atlantic City to be integrated, holding deep significance for both firefighting history and the local African American community. Breaking ACACNJ

Mayor Small put it plainly: “These improvements will turn this station into a state-of-the-art facility… agencies keep awarding Atlantic City money because they know we are more than capable of getting the jobs done.” Breaking ACACNJ

What’s Next: Restoration with Purpose

With exterior repairs wrapping up by the end of this year—covering roof replacement, masonry repointing, and updated flashing—the focus will shift indoors in Spring 2026. ACNJ+1

Planned interior upgrades include:

• Expansion of the kitchen facilities

• Improved dormitory areas for firefighters

• Modernization of HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems

• Preservation of historic finishes that give the station its architectural character ACNJ+1

Fire Chief Scott Evans highlighted how these enhancements will support both operational efficiency and firefighter morale, while Rutala Associates—Atlantic City’s grant consultant—secured the funding and coordinated with the Historic Preservation Committee to ensure the project meets eligibility for these preservation dollars. ACNJBreaking AC

A Broader Vision: Preserving Heritage and Safety

Restoring Fire Station 2 serves a dual purpose: honoring a historically significant structure and boosting public safety capability. As Atlantic City refines this balance of preservation and modernization, the city is also planning assessments to potentially nominate four additional firehouses to the national register. ACNJ