Photo Credit: Meadowlands Chamber
The design and development plan for a new $3 billion convention center in northern New Jersey has been released by the Meadowlands Chamber and State Senator Paul Sarlo. The proposed venue would include a 300,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 60,000-square-foot ballroom and 75 breakout rooms offering 100,000 square feet of meeting space. Plans also call a 6,000-seat arena, a 70,000-square-foot outdoor terrace and a 1,000-room headquarters hotel.
The multiuse convention and event center would be built on the site of the Meadowlands Arena, which closed in 2015 and is part of the wider Meadowlands Sports Complex. The complex in East Rutherford, N.J., also includes MetLife Stadium (home of the New York Giants and New York Jets football teams), the Meadowlands Racetrack and the American Dream mall. It is located approximately 10 miles from New York City.
According to an economic analysis, the proposed convention center could host 313 events annually, bringing in 2.1 million attendees. Over the course of 30 years, the project is estimated to generate $30.4 billion in net new economic activity and $3.03 billion in tax revenue. Officials say it would create 3,700 permanent jobs and nearly 5,000 short-term construction jobs.
"This is no longer a conceptual conversation," said Meadowlands Chamber president and CEO Jim Kirkos. "The design is complete, the market demand is clear, and the remaining analysis will be finalized this spring. We've put a serious, credible development option on the table, positioning the state to determine next steps early in the incoming administration."
The Meadowlands Chamber is expected to present formal plans, including a construction budget and financial strategy, to Governor Mikie Sherrill and state leaders in May.