Atlantic City Unveils Mural at Historic Fire Station

The city honors local figures with a new mural as part of a $4.6 million preservation project at the 104-year-old station.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in African-American

Atlantic City Unveils Mural at Historic Fire Station

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Should local governments prioritize the restoration and preservation of aging, historic community buildings?

Atlantic City officials have unveiled a new mural titled The Door That Opened at the 104-year-old Fire Station 2. The artwork honors Marvin E. Beatty Jr., Albert Mallen, and Robert McCarty as the city undergoes a massive preservation effort at the site.

Why it matters

The mural and ongoing restoration aim to celebrate the legacies of those who served at the facility while transforming the century-old building into a modern, state-of-the-art structure.

The preservation project is backed by $3 million in grant funding secured by Rutala Associates for the $4.6 million facility overhaul. The Atlantic City Arts Foundation commissioned this piece as the 107th mural in its ongoing citywide series.

The players

Chanelle René

She is the artist commissioned to paint The Door That Opened mural honoring the fire station's history.

Atlantic City Arts Foundation

This organization is responsible for commissioning public art and manages a series of murals throughout the city.

Rutala Associates

This firm was responsible for securing the $3 million in grant funding required for the station's preservation.

The details

Located at the intersection of Indiana and Baltic Avenues, the station is undergoing extensive repairs to its brickwork, stone, and roofing, alongside kitchen and restroom renovations. Artist Chanelle René created the mural to pay tribute to the history of the site and the individuals who worked there.

Fire Station 2 was constructed approximately 104 years ago in 1922.
City officials unveiled the mural at the site in October 2026.

Culture Shift

This project reflects a growing cultural focus on preserving landmarks linked to the contributions of African American public servants. It follows a pattern set by the African American Civil Rights Grants to protect sites of historical significance for future generations.

Residents in the Northside neighborhood will see the transformation of a 104-year-old structure into a modern public facility. The preservation efforts aim to maintain the historic character of the community while providing updated city infrastructure.

The takeaway

Historic preservation can revitalize neighborhood infrastructure while honoring the contributions of past public servants. Cities often utilize specialized grant programs to fund the restoration of older community facilities.