Bader Field: A Long-Stalled Site Finally Moving Forward for Atlantic City

February 14^th , 2026
By AC Mike Lopez

For almost two decades, Bader Field has been one of the biggest missed opportunities in Atlantic City.

The former airport shut down in 2006, and since then the land has largely sat idle. There have been events, temporary uses, and plenty of ideas, but nothing permanent that truly moved the city forward. All that time, Atlantic City carried 143 acres of flood-prone land that generated no real tax revenue, no sustained jobs, and no long-term benefit for residents.

That’s why the current proposal from DEEM Enterprises matters — not just because of its size, but because it represents the most serious, fully financed attempt yet to finally put Bader Field to productive use.

Their plan, known currently as Renaissance at Bader Field, is ambitious, expensive, and unlike anything else in Atlantic City. And importantly, it has reached this stage because of years of coordination between the developer, the city, and the state.

For a city that has heard plenty of big promises over the years, this moment feels different — and worth taking seriously.

What the Renaissance at Bader Field Is Designed to Be

At its core, this project is a luxury, motorsports-themed community built on the former airport site. It is not a casino, and it’s not a traditional residential neighborhood. It is designed as a destination that attracts global investment and high-net-worth visitors while potentially generating huge economic activity for Atlantic City.

The centerpiece is a private motorsports track, approximately 2.44 miles long, where owners can safely and professionally drive high-performance vehicles. Surrounding the track would be residential towers, townhomes, and condominiums, some designed with integrated vehicle storage — a concept aimed at serious car collectors.

The broader plan includes a hotel, retail and dining spaces, entertainment venues, an automotive museum, an amphitheater, public promenades, viewing areas, structured parking, and space for events. The full build-out is estimated at roughly $4.2billion over about seven to nine years.

This is not a modest proposal, and it’s not meant to be. It is designed to position Atlantic City as a destination for a niche but well-funded global audience — one that brings outside dollars into the local economy.

Why Bader Field Has Been So Difficult to Develop

To appreciate why this proposal has gained traction, it helps to understand why Bader Field has remained empty for so long.

The site presents three major challenges: potential flooding risk, environmental remediation, and infrastructure cost. The soil requires cleanup before permanent construction. And addressing these issues requires substantial upfront investment.

DEEM’s proposal directly tackles those challenges. The plan includes full environmental remediation, dredging of nearby back bays, and elevating the land itself to improve long-term resilience. This approach — combined with demonstrated financial backing — is what separates this proposal from many that came before it.

In short, this is one of the first plans that seriously addresses the reasons Bader Field has been stuck in neutral for nearly 20 years.

What Atlantic City Stands to Gain

From a city perspective, the numbers matter.

If the project moves forward following financial and regulatory review, Atlantic City would receive $100 million for the sale of Bader Field. An additional $15 million is committed toward building a new community recreation center elsewhere in the city, along with construction of a new firehouse by the developer.

Beyond those direct benefits, the city would see years of union construction work, followed by permanent jobs in hospitality, retail, security, maintenance, and operations. The development would also expand the city’s tax base and generate ongoing sales and tourism revenue tied to events and visitors.

For a site that has produced virtually no sustained economic benefit for decades, this represents a meaningful opportunity.

Jobs and Economic Impact — Realistic but Important

No single project is going to solve all of Atlantic City’s economic challenges. That’s not realistic and DEEM hasn’t claimed otherwise.

What this project does offer is diversification. Construction jobs would span several years, providing steady work for local trades. Permanent jobs would follow, many in service and operations, with additional indirect benefits for surrounding businesses.

Economic growth doesn’t only come from who lives inside a development. It comes from spending, services, supply chains, and activity that extends beyond its boundaries. If structured correctly, this project can help strengthen that ecosystem.

Who This Project Is — and Isn’t — For

It’s fair to say that Renaissance at Bader Field is aimed primarily at affluent buyers from outside Atlantic City. The residential units will be expensive, and the motorsports lifestyle is not a mass-market offering.

At the same time, the project is not designed to be completely closed off. Public promenades, retail spaces, dining options, viewing areas, and event programming are part of the plan. The goal is to create a development that brings people into Atlantic City, not one that isolates itself from it.

This is best understood as an economic catalyst rather than a neighborhood housing project — and evaluated on that basis.

Noise, Traffic, and Neighborhood Concerns

Understandably, residents in nearby neighborhoods have questions about noise and traffic.

DEEM has stated that sound monitoring has been ongoing for more than two years and that the track will be designed to minimize noise through layout, landscaping, and sound-absorbing materials. Track usage would be scheduled and controlled.

These are the kinds of details that matter in the final redevelopment agreement, and they should be addressed carefully. Asking for clear standards and enforcement is not opposition — it’s responsible governance.

Environmental Responsibility and Long-Term Resilience

One of the most encouraging aspects of the proposal is its focus on sustainability.

DEEM is targeting LEED Platinum and ONE Planet certification as well as net-zero carbon operations, with a clean-energy hydrogen microgrid and storm-resilient infrastructure. The full remediation of contaminated soil and elevation of the land could turn one of Atlantic City’s most vulnerable sites into one of its most resilient.

In a coastal city facing rising sea levels, that kind of long-term thinking matters.

Credit Where Credit Is Due

It’s important to recognize that this project didn’t reach this stage by accident.

Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his administration have played a key role in keeping Bader Field in active redevelopment discussions and working with both developers and the state to move the process forward. Coordinating a deal of this scale — involving financial vetting, environmental review, and state oversight — is not simple.

Regardless of where one ultimately land on the final agreement, getting a serious, fully funded proposal this far is a positive step for Atlantic City.

A Thoughtful Path Forward

Healthy skepticism is not the same as negativity. Atlantic City has learned the value of asking tough questions and insisting on strong protections. That doesn’t mean turning away from opportunity.

The right approach is careful optimism: welcoming investment, supporting responsible development, and making sure agreements protect residents and the city’s long-term interests.

The Bottom Line

Bader Field has been waiting for a future for nearly 20 years. Renaissance at Bader Field represents the most credible opportunity yet to finally provide one.

This project won’t solve every challenge Atlantic City faces, and it’s not designed to. But it has the potential to activate long-unused land, create jobs, bring in outside investment, and signal that Atlantic City is open for thoughtful, forward-looking development.

If handled correctly, this could be a meaningful step forward — and one worth engaging with seriously.

— AC Mike Lopez