A vacant stretch of land fronting the Atlantic Ocean could soon be transformed into a public amenity that is sorely lacking in the area if a proposal from a local developer moves forward.
Earlier this month, a company named North Beach Mini Golf Club LLC submitted plans to New Jersey’s Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to revitalize a parcel at 120 Euclid Avenue. Situated next to the Altman Playground and just a few blocks from the Absecon Lighthouse, the 8,500-square-foot property sits along the northern area of Atlantic City’s boardwalk that was recently reconstructed to the south inlet.
North Beach Mini Golf Club is under contract to purchase the parcel and is looking to construct an 18-hole miniature golf course on top of a deck that connects to the boardwalk via a pedestrian bridge. The proposal has been drawn up by Miniature Golf Solutions, a Florida-based company that has been designing courses for over 25 years.
The design of the course seeks to help maintain light, air, and open space in the neighborhood and will offer views of the Absecon Inlet along Atlantic City’s northern end. The club will sport a natural motif that includes greenery, streams, and a pond plus a small clubhouse structure to accommodate ticket sales.
The course is slated to feature historical decorations and references within the holes’ obstacles, with released renderings showing a lighthouse and boat. The facility plans to offer seasonal bicycle rentals and anticipates being open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The application for the course notes that Atlantic City has made an effort to draw non-gambling attractions to its shores and the company says they believe the Euclid Avenue property is particularly well suited to host the club based on its location. The surrounding neighborhood is relatively low-key by Atlantic City standards, being somewhat removed from the casinos and comprising many residential buildings and timeshares.
“This application offers an opportunity for Atlantic City to promote small business with a non-gaming attraction,” the application says. “With no miniature golf in the area, [North Beach Mini Golf Club] views the location as offering great potential for success. Miniature golf appeals to all demographic groups.”
The property falls within Atlantic City’s Light House 2 zone and the developer will be seeking several variances to move the project forward. The deviations are for use (recreational is forbidden under current zoning) and “d” variances related to front yard setbacks and the irregular shape of the lot.
An additional variance for parking will also be requested, as the club will not be providing any spaces due to their belief that many customers will arrive by foot or bike. The CRDA has not announced a date when they will hear the application, but a website that has already been set up for the course says the club will be opening during 2021.
North Beach Mini Golf Club is the second recent non-casino proposal to emerge along the city’s boardwalk and comes on the heels of a $100 million indoor waterpark project from Showboat gaining approval late last year.
