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Prayers Answered: NJ Mall "Xanadu" Resurrected
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Apr 28, 2011
Modified Apr 28, 2011
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Apr 28, 2011
Modified Apr 28, 2011
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Xanadu is the perfectly named New Jersey shopping mall that never was. Though ground was broken on the project in 2004, it turns out that indoor ski slopes are pretty tough to build, and taking loans from a Lehman Brothers subsidiary isn't a great business strategy. Not to mention you need a full-blown opium addiction to appreciate its exterior design (it's been officially declared ugly by 74% of residents). But today's NY Times reveals that Xanadu is BACK, baby! Could a renewed appreciation for the film Xanadu be far behind? (Yes. Very very, far behind.)
New Jersey Governor and budget-slashing heartthrob Chris Christie's administration has resurrected the project that they once called "a failed business model" thanks to a "financing package of $180 million to $200 million" that will allow the new Canadian developer, Triple Five, to use the sales tax they collect to repay the loan. Nevermind that Christie's budget has failed to provide New Jersey students of "thorough and efficient" education: we're talkin' indoor water park! Skating rinks! MULTISTORY PARKING GARAGES! Besides, there's simply nothing to do "6 miles from Times Square."
Unfortunately, the developers have changed the name to "American Dream@Meadowlands," presumably because "@BloatedEyesore" or "@BritishPoetSpinningInGrave" were taken.
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Chris Christie
eyesore
governor christie
mall
meadowlands
nj
xanadu
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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