Atlantic City: Hey We’re Gonna Have $9 Million Potties

These sound like they're going to be some pretty nice restrooms!

The Atlantic City Convention Center has announced plans to overhaul the building's restrooms at a cost of $9.1 Million Dollars.

You know, you add some new tile, fixtures, and counter-tops and the money adds up!

Seriously, the project, announced by Spectra, Meet AC, and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, will include the overhaul of the building's 32 restrooms and take close to a year to complete. According to the news release, "The facelift will modernize more than 20,000 square feet of space and will include the installation of all new wall tile, flooring, mirrors, toilets, and lighting."

The news release goes on and on about the different kind of hand-dryers, toilets, sinks, soap dispensers and more. All that information is included in what we believe to be the longest press release about bathroom renovations ever written.

If you have the desire to read it and the time (are you in the bathroom now?) we've included the release in its entirety below.

Godspeed.

THE ATLANTIC CITY CONVENTION CENTER SLATED TO UNDERGO $9.1 MILLION RESTROOM RENOVATION

DEMOLITION KICKS OFF WITH CLIENT BATHROOM BASH
Spectra, Meet AC, and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), have officially kicked off a $9.1 million restroom renovation project at the Atlantic City Convention Center with the help of several of the venues’ annual Event and Meeting Planners.  Local dignitaries, staff, and clients each took a swing of the sledgehammer to the toilets scheduled for demolition. The project which will completely overhaul the venue’s 32 restrooms will begin Monday, October 29^th with expected completion by September 2019.

Spectra partnered with several organizations to design the new facilities which have largely remained the same since the venue opened in 1997.  The facelift will modernize more than 20,000 square feet of space and will include the installation all new wall tile, flooring, mirrors, toilets, and lighting.

The renovations support the venue’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification process which is currently underway. The design includes new hands-free fixtures, auto-flush toilets and automatic faucets and electric hand dryers. The new low flow flush valves for toilets will be going from 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF) to 1.28 GPF, saving an estimated 100,000 gallons of water annually. In addition, each restroom will have individual climate controls to adjust the temperatures throughout the changing seasons and hot water circulators to improve hot water response efficiency.

The updated design features green and blue glass and vein cut porcelain wall tiles with accents of geometric dimensional tiles. The walls are complemented with concrete-look floor tiles with accents of Carrara porcelain, to create a blend of traditional and modern design elements. New vanities with long trough sinks, quartz surfaces and backlit mirrors, along with automated soap dispensers and faucets update the functionality of the restrooms and add to the sleek contemporary style. New, modern restroom entry portals with signage will bring warmth to the halls with the use of wood accents and amber acrylics.

“Understanding our patron’s wants and needs was crucial to this upgrade which is why we have several of our clients here,” said Spectra’s Dean Dennis, General Manager of the Atlantic City Convention Center. “The project has been planned for some time and we are pleased to be getting underway. At any given time, at least two sets (men’s and women’s) of restrooms will be under construction, and at times there may be up to four sets under construction at once. Communication to our clients and our guests while they are here is key; we intend to provide extra directional signage and limit the construction noise and traffic during the process to alleviate any inconveniences to our customers.”

“The CRDA is excited to continue to invest to make the Atlantic City Convention Center one of the premier convention centers on the east coast,” said Marshall Spevak, Deputy Executive Director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. “This much-needed upgrade will be a benefit to the ACCC’s growing customer base, and will also make us more environmentally friendly and economically efficient.”

“We are thrilled for the upcoming bathroom renovation project at the Atlantic City Convention Center. The Pool & Spa Show has been meeting in Atlantic City for many years and this renovation, along with other projects will not only enhance the attendee experience, but keep the venue up-to-date and on trend,” added Trish McCormick, show manager, The Pool & Spa Show.

By the numbers:

• Items to be removed:
  • Toilets /cubicles – 260 each
  • Urinals – 130 each
  • Sinks/Faucets – 215 each
  • Acoustical ceilings – 20,000 square feet
• Items to be installed:
  • Floor tile – 20,000 square feet
  • Wall tile – 40,000 square feet
  • Mirrors/toilet accessories/lighting – 1,800 each

Additional organizations instrumental in this project’s completion include professional consultants: SOSH Architects and Concord Engineering; and General Contractor, KHS&S.

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and the Atlantic City Convention Center are owned and funded by the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). Spectra provides both Venue Management and Food Services & Hospitality to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and the Atlantic City Convention Center.

About Spectra

Spectra is an industry leader in hosting and entertainment, partnering with clients to create memorable experiences for millions of visitors every year. Spectra’s unmatched blend of integrated services delivers incremental value for clients through several primary areas of expertise: Venue Management, Food Services & Hospitality, and Partnerships. Learn more at SpectraExperiences.com.

About Meet AC

Meet AC, Inc. is a 501(c)(6) organization formed and funded as a public-private partnership by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to create economic development through conventions, sporting events, film production and group tourism. Meet AC focuses on three primary objectives: sales, marketing and services.

For complete Atlantic City tourism and convention information, visit www.meetac.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority

The only agency of its kind nationwide, the CRDA has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents since 1984.  Under the 2011 Tourism District Act, the Authority's mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state's key economic development agency for Atlantic City.  CRDA's expanded responsibilities now include land use regulation, tourism marketing and clean and safe initiatives. The CRDA also oversees Historic Boardwalk Hall (the leading entertainment venue of its size in the country) and the Atlantic City Convention Center.  In total, CRDA has invested nearly $2 billion in more than 400 projects statewide, of which $1.8 billion has been invested in Atlantic City, spurring business investments and expansions, and creating permanent jobs in the process. For more information about CRDA and our projects, visit www.njcrda.com.  Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/njcrda, and Twitter at www.twitter.com/njcrda.

For destination photos and videos media may visit www.doatlanticcity.com/mediaonline where dozens of assets are available for download. For complete Atlantic City tourism information, visit www.doatlanticcity.com. Also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DoAtlanticCity and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VisitAC,  #DOAC, and Do AC Instagram at Instagram.com/doac.

Source: Spectra Venue Management Press Release