EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants and Jets today took another step toward building a new jointly owned stadium next door to their existing home when Giants Stadium LLC and Jets Development LLC jointly submitted a preliminary Master Site Plan for the New Meadowlands Stadium and its surroundings to the New Jersey Sports Authority.
The stadium, which is expected to seat approximately 80,000 people, will be the centerpiece of one of the most innovative and memorable spectator environments in professional sports.
The parties continue to work on design and financing details for a project that could cost approximately $900 million. The teams hope to have details finalized by early next year, begin construction in 2007 and open the new stadium in 2010.
"We've made a lot of progress over the last several months," said John Mara, the Giants chief operating officer, who represented the franchise at today's Giants Stadium news conference with Jonathan and Laurie Tisch, two of the late Bob Tisch's three children. "This partnership has worked very well together. Our goal is to develop a premier stadium and to create an enhanced fan experience for the fans of both the Giants and the Jets.
"We still have a lot of work to do, particularly on the design of the stadium itself. But we expect to continue making progress in that area. We expect to submit a final master plan by early next year."
As part of the agreement, the Giants will relocate their offices and training facilities to lots 13 and 17 on the stadium complex. That will enable the team to build a state-of-the-art facility. Mara envisions three outdoor practice fields and an indoor field at the site. The Jets will move their base of operations from Long Island to New Jersey, not on the Meadowlands complex.
"On behalf of my brother and my sister, we are so proud to be partners with the Maras," Jonathan Tisch said. "Both families have been through a lot. It's important to look back to know what the future is going to be. We think of Mr. Mara. We think of my father. Two men who cared so much about this franchise, who care so much about what's going to go on here, and in their spirit we will move forward together with the state of New Jersey and with our partners at the Jets to build a facility we will all be very proud of."
New Jersey Acting Governor Richard Codey, Jets Owner Woody Johnson and President Jay Cross, NJSEA Chairman Carl Goldberg, and New Jersey Commissioner of the Department of Transportation Jack Lettiere also attended the announcement.
Also in attendance were NJSEA CEO George Zoffinger and NJSEA board members Ray Bateman, Armando Fontoura, Joseph Forgione, Anthony Scardino Jr., Marvin Schmelzer; Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney; and New Jersey State Senator Paul Sarlo.
The preliminary Master Plan includes:
The location, footprint and enhanced fan experience of the New Meadowlands Stadium - With a footprint of 700,000 square feet located south of the North Access Road and the Racetrack, the 81,000 seat stadium will include an atrium consisting of a Football Hall of Fame, Team Stores, Football Themed Dining, and Club/Banquet and Conference space.
Enhanced Fan Amenities - Combining an intimate seating bowl with uncompromised sightlines, cutting edge scoreboards, sound systems, electronic signage and lighting, the stadium will redefine game day with football-centric attractions designed to maximize the fan experience in a setting that can be transformed overnight to meet the needs of each team.
Newly configured parking lots; easier access to parking through better designed ingress and egress traffic patterns and onsite road improvements – Parking lots will radiate around the stadium with more direct, easier access through road circulation improvements, the introduction of inner and middle loop road systems and separate areas for permit and non-permit parking.
An enhanced tailgating experience including new tailgating zones linked to the stadium through pedestrian connections – Tailgate zones linked to the stadium by pedestrian walkways will include enhanced merchandise, food and beverage operations, restroom facilities and entertainment.
A 520,000 square foot Ancillary Component to the south of the stadium – The plan envisions the future integration of a facility offering the best of sports, entertainment, retail, sports medicine, health & fitness, and sponsorship and broadcast opportunities. When constructed, the Ancillary Component will offer something for every type of fan 365 days a year.
A brand new rail facility – Ideally situated relative to the new Meadowlands Stadium, Racetrack, Xanadu and the Ancillary Component, the new NJ Transit station will serve thousands of fans traveling to the Meadowlands on game days and throughout the year.
Xanadu –The site plan offers potential ways to create great synergy between the stadium and the new Xanadu entertainment, sports, leisure and shopping complex, now rising in close proximity to the stadium site,
"This entire agreement is truly a win for New Jersey - for our residents and for the future of sports in our state," Codey said. "It will anchor the overall revitalization of the Meadowlands, transforming it into a world-class stadium, a tailgating oasis, a retail mecca and a dining destination, all of which will be connected by a state of the art transit hub. These plans will create thousands of new jobs, fuel the economy, support the community and provide fans with something to cheer about. New Jersey deserves nothing less and we are proud to call the Jets and the Giants our home teams, today, and for years to come."
