New Jersey’s Meadowlands Arena Considered for Redevelopment

The Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce in East Rutherford, NJ, is advocating for the demolition of the 20,000-seat Meadowlands Arena to make way for a substantial, multi-use convention center.

Meadowlands Arena (formerly Brendan Byrne Arena, Continental Airlines Arena, and Izod Center) closed in 2015 and has remained primarily idle since.

The proposed facility would feature extensive exhibition, meeting, and banquet spaces, aiming to transform the area into a hub for events and conferences.

Jim Kirkos is the Chief Executive Officer of the Meadowlands 2040 Foundation, the Chamber’s nonprofit behind the redevelopment plan. In a letter on its website, Kirkos said, “The vision of replacing the shuttered Arena with a multi-use convention center to complement the existing venues of MetLife Stadium, Meadowlands Racetrack, and American Dream [mall] will reestablish the Meadowlands Sports and Entertainment Complex...” 

Though the multi-use convention center is still in planning and development, the Meadowlands 2040 Foundation released a few anticipated construction project details:

• Estimated Cost of the project is between $1 and $1.6 billion, potentially exceeding $2 billion with additional hotel developments.

• Convention Center Size will span 460,000 square feet, including:

  • 300,000 square feet of exhibit space
  • 100,000 square feet of meeting rooms
  • 60,000 square feet of ballroom space

• Hotel Development plans include a 1,000-room hotel and two privately developed hotels.

   

The Meadowlands Sports Complex is owned and operated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA), an independent, state-run organization.

An aerial view of the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, NJ, 2018. Meadowlands Arena sits within the property. Image: ZappaOMatic 

An economic impact study released by the Meadowlands 2040 Foundation said the project would:

• Address market needs by targeting an underserved demand for convention space in North Jersey.
• Bring benefits with an economic outlook projected to generate $30 billion in spending and $3.5 billion in tax revenue over 30 years.  
• Bring an estimated 17,500 construction jobs and 6,000 permanent roles once built.
• Enhance regional assets by complementing attractions like MetLife Stadium and the American Dream Mall.
• Provide a return on investment by hosting events currently lost to New York City.  

Rendering of the multi-use convention center project at Meadowlands Sports Complex. The project would sit on the site of the Meadowlands Arena (Izod Center), which opened in 1981. Image: Meadowlands 2040 Foundation. 

Supporters of the project suggest it fills a critical gap in regional infrastructure and offers an attractive return on investment. However, state approval and funding of the potential megaproject remain to move it from planning and development to construction.