This is why new Meadowlands convention center is sorely needed
The Meadowlands Sports Complex is one facility shy of regaining its place as the top multi-venue entertainment district in the country.
Recently, the results of an economic impact study indicated that a new multi-use convention center would generate 250 to 300 event days per year and more than $30 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years.
The Meadowlands 2040 Foundation has asked the state to advance the development of a business plan to further explore the next steps in creating the facility — and we have a great legacy of our state accomplishing similar missions. If you think back to 1973, a few business and civic leaders advanced a bold vision to build a complex with sports and entertainment venues here in the swampy Meadowlands.
The New York Giants came. So did the New York Jets, then the New Jersey Nets, followed by the New Jersey Devils. The Big M was world-renowned. We hosted the Super Bowl, World Cup, WrestleMania, Hambletonian and Final Four. We were entertained by Bruce, Elton, Billy, Taylor, Jon, Jay Z and Beyonce. Adam, Bono and Blake were here, too — and the list goes on.
The economic vitality of an entire region was established, but then left to wither as we failed to respond to changes in entertainment. The Nets built their own facility in Brooklyn, the Devils left for Newark, and we were left with a big void to fill.
We have two great NFL teams, a fabulous MetLife Stadium, and a new grandstand and facility at the Meadowlands Racetrack, and we have only begun to see the fruits of American Dream.
But a convention center would do something different. Host youth and amateur sporting events, association conferences and conventions, business meetings, convocations, large gatherings and fans’ experiences when we host the world’s largest events. The high-paying job growth generated by the $30 billion economic impact over 30 years from the convention center also would spur a transformative level of private investment in the region.
A convention center is the missing link that complements all existing assets at the complex — and enhances New Jersey’s brand by attracting visitors and making the Meadowlands a primary destination. Now is the time to use our resources to seed our future.