An ambitious plan to transform a once-busy sports venue into a sprawling convention center has taken a step forward, as a proposal for the Meadowlands Convention Center is being finalized.
During a press conference on April 14, the Meadowlands Chamber announced significant updates to a $3 billion proposal to transform the former Izod Center into a year-round destination for events and tourism. The arena itself sits adjacent to the American Dream Mall and was once a hotbed of sports activity.
Also known as the Brendan Byrne Arena or Continental Airlines Arena, the facility was home to the then-New Jersey Nets of the NBA and the New Jersey Devils until both teams relocated to Brooklyn and Newark, respectively. It has sat vacant since 2010 and has been used for a few film and TV shoots and a concert rehearsal space in recent years.
The effort is led by the Meadowlands Chamber under President and CEO Jim Kirkos, with a project team that includes Hunden Partners, TVS Design, and traffic and parking consultants WSP. The endeavor has been supported by funding secured by Senator Paul Sarlo and the Murphy Administration through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Program.
The revealed plan calls for a 300,000-square-foot convention center plus a 1,000-room headquarters hotel next to the facility. The proposal additionally calls for a flexible 5,000–6,000-seat arena, along with structured parking and new pedestrian and transit connections throughout the Meadowlands complex.
The facility is intended to operate year-round with more than 300 events, according to the Meadowlands Chamber. Their estimates suggest that building the convention center could have a $30 billion impact over 30 years.
The chamber says the next few weeks will focus on finalizing plans, incorporating feedback, and assembling a roadmap for how the project could be built. A formal presentation is expected to be made to Governor Mikie Sherrill and state leaders in early May, with the chamber expecting a decision on the project by early 2027.
While the potential Meadowland Convention Center still has a few hurdles to clear, officials indicated that construction would take roughly two to three years after a full green light is given to their proposal.
