Summary:
- A proposed $3 billion Meadowlands convention center could generate $30.4 billion in long-term economic benefits.
- Atlantic City officials fear the development would increase competition for conventions and visitors.
- The project still needs further state backing, including a decision on funding a working group to advance planning.
A proposed $3 billion convention center at the Meadowlands Sports Complex could generate $30.4 billion in long-term economic benefits for New Jersey and attract two million visitors annually, according to a newly released study.
However, as expected, not everyone agrees with the development. Namely, Atlantic City officials fear the project could draw business away from the state’s existing casino and convention hub.
What the Two-Year Study Says
The Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce recently published the findings of a state-funded assessment that took two years to complete.
The analysis, prepared by consultants specializing in conventions, tourism, architecture, engineering and finance, concluded that a major convention destination in East Rutherford could deliver substantial economic benefits over several decades.
The proposed facility would include approximately 460,000 square feet of convention and event space, a flexible concert venue with 5,000 seats, a 1,000-room hotel and structured parking.
Plans also include transportation infrastructure and a two-acre outdoor area known as Meadow Walk.
The assessment estimates that the development could host 313 events annually, generate more than $3 billion in annual state and local tax revenue, support over 3,700 permanent jobs and create almost 5,000 construction positions.
Despite the reassuring projections, leaders in Atlantic City are still not convinced, as the casino industry is there already facing concerns about competition from proposed casinos in the New York City area.
Atlantic City Fears More Competition
Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson raised concerns in a September letter to New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, asking her to reconsider support for the Meadowlands project.
He pointed to the difficulties facing Atlantic City, including uncertainty surrounding the future of the Sheraton Hotel at the Atlantic City Convention Center, which could close without state financial assistance.
Atlantic City is already facing challenges with the approval of three casinos in the New York City area. We don’t need to spend our own taxpayers’ dollars to create more competition within New Jersey
He also questioned why the state would invest in a new convention destination rather than strengthen existing facilities in Atlantic City.
Atlantic City needs help from the state to strengthen its position, not competition from within to sabotage its ongoing efforts
The disagreement became more public during the presentation of the Meadowlands assessment, with project supporters responding sharply to criticism from Atlantic City officials.
Meadowlands Representative Fires Back
Ron Simoncini, a real estate public affairs consultant and spokesperson for the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce, criticized Atlantic City’s opposition in comments to the Press of Atlantic City.
Atlantic City has not lost its relevance as a result of its decay. Its decay is a result of its irrelevance.
Simoncini also challenged criticism from New Jersey Assemblyman Don Guardian, a Republican representing Atlantic City and a former mayor of the casino resort. Guardian had questioned whether the Meadowlands could compete with Manhattan’s Javits Center for major conventions, describing the proposed location as the “asphalt-laden swamps of New Jersey”.
Simoncini argued that Atlantic City needed a broader economic revitalization strategy rather than continued requests for state assistance.
State Funding Decision Still Ahead
The proposed convention center would primarily replace the former Izod Center, which hosted the New Jersey Devils and New Jersey Nets before closing permanently in April 2015.
The latest assessment does not mean construction is approved. New Jersey must first decide whether to fund a working group that would coordinate with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the Sports and Exposition Authority and other state agencies on the next steps.
For now, the project has put two competing visions for New Jersey’s tourism and events industry into direct conflict: a new convention destination in the Meadowlands and efforts to maintain Atlantic City’s position as the state’s established casino and convention market.
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