MEADOWLANDS – New Jersey’s AFL-CIO chapter plans to hold a rally Saturday to jumpstart the American Dream Meadowlands megamall/recreation project on Route 3 in East Rutherford, according to a press statement. The labor unions plan to gather outside MetLife Stadium near the multi-checkered megamall structure once known as Xanadu.
“New Jersey community members all agree on the need to jumpstart our state’s economy by creating stable living-wage jobs,” said the New Jersey AFL-CIO in their release. “In addition to creating construction jobs, this project would also create tens of thousands of full-time permanent jobs once the project is completed.”
The $3.7 billion American Dream project includes a Dreamworks Animation theme park, attractions, retail and other venues. The retail and entertainment venue will also have a water park, ice skating rink, indoor ski park and theaters along with nearly 1.7 million square feet of retail space and 150,000 square feet of fine dining and restaurants.
The American Dream project has faced serious financial hurdles that threatened to shut it down until Triple Five came forward to take over its completion in 2009, and until Gov. Chris Christie said the state would take a more active role. Triple Five is currently in the process of seeking federal approval for the proposed indoor amusement and water parks expansion. However, a few financial and legal obstacles remain. Earlier this month a superior court judge dismissed a lawsuit to halt the expansion plans sought by NFL professional football teams the Giants and Jets.