Vote may move Meadowlands megamall project forward
NEWARK, N.J. - A long-delayed megamall project at the Meadowlands sports complex could take another step forward this week. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority announced Wednesday that a vote on the American Dream project could take place at a special board meeting Friday. The authority has to approve a new master plan for the mall, which Gov. Christie has called "an offense to the eyes" because of its exterior, a mishmash of pastel panels visible from the New Jersey Turnpike.
NEWARK, N.J. - A long-delayed megamall project at the Meadowlands sports complex could take another step forward this week.
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority announced Wednesday that a vote on the American Dream project could take place at a special board meeting Friday. The authority has to approve a new master plan for the mall, which Gov. Christie has called "an offense to the eyes" because of its exterior, a mishmash of pastel panels visible from the New Jersey Turnpike.
The new plan includes a Hollywood-theme amusement park and water park, along with about 300 stores and high-end dining.
The NFL's Giants and Jets have opposed the mall's being open on game days because of traffic concerns.
A lawsuit by the teams against developer Triple Five and the sports authority was dismissed last year, but a judge said the teams could refile if the authority approved the project.
The teams and Triple Five offered starkly contrasting traffic and parking projections at a contentious hearing last fall, and have been negotiating those issues over the last several months. A spokeswoman for the teams did not immediately comment on those negotiations Wednesday.
Once known as Xanadu, the mall project dates back 10 years, when the sports authority chose a partnership of Mills Corp. and Mack-Cali Realty to build it. Originally scheduled to open in 2007, it was plagued by cost overruns and was taken over in 2006 by Colony Capital, which planned the world's largest Ferris wheel, among other attractions.
In 2009, construction was stopped because financing dried up in the recession. Triple Five took over in 2010.
"Clearly the sports authority thinks it's time to move forward, and we feel it's time to move forward as well," Triple Five spokesman Alan Marcus said Wednesday. "The teams recognize we're going to be a positive neighbor, and we're going to give a great experience to everyone who visits."
Even if the authority approves the project Friday, the mall won't be completed by February 2014 when adjacent MetLife Stadium hosts the Super Bowl. However, some space might be available to organizers for parties or events even if the mall isn't finished.