No money for a public works project like the rail tunnel, but unlimited welfare for a shopping mall

[marmar]

from the NY Times:



By CHARLES V. BAGLI and RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA
Published: April 28, 2011


It has been called “the ugliest damn building in New Jersey and maybe America,” has bedeviled three governors and has burned through two developers. Despite $1.9 billion spent, it is still an unfinished pile of concrete, steel and garish pastel panels.

Now, Gov. Chris Christie and the developers of the Mall of America have struck a deal to pour in $1 billion more in hopes of reviving the oft-ridiculed Xanadu Meadowlands complex, according to people involved in the talks.

The developers would not only complete the 2.4-million-square-foot retail and entertainment center, but also greatly expand it, rename it and slap new skin on its reviled exterior.

The deal could give Mr. Christie, a Republican, a chance to say that unlike three Democratic predecessors, he saw the complex through to completion. But it also exposes him to the risks of a project that has become an emblem of the last decade’s real estate excesses and collapse. ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/29/nyregion/deal-reached-to-expand-xanadu-mall-project-in-nj.html?pagewanted=all

[valerief]

1. With online shopping, do we need these ridiculous malls anymore? nt

[DainBramaged]

2. I wonder how much his net worth will swell because of this

fucking asshole. Spend the money on OUR infrastructure instead of increasing unneeded retail space and committing public money to commercial rescues at a time when he is also cutting government spending . And mark my words, after he's fucking gone this piece of shit will still be a pile.

[PATRICK]

3. How does a mall scam usually work?

They come in, get funding, lay waste to some area and community, build a mall and let it rot while enriching themselves?

Surely not in New Jersey.

[WatsonT]

4. Wow that is an ugly building

maybe that's what they're going for; the so terrible it's kinda cool route.

I don't think it worked. Frankly the old soviet concrete block style looks better than this.

[izquierdista]

7. Hey, I like it

It's colorful in a 1960's George Jetson kind of way. And think of the acres of cars, all with huge tailfins. A lot better than the Soviet apartment building I lived in for a while (with a 5th floor walkup).

[WatsonT]

12. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder

but to me it seems they're making the outside so ugly that your only recourse is to go inside the mall as that's the only place you can't be held witness to the horrific splendor that is it's exterior.

If so, a clever idea but it doesn't seem to be working.

[tularetom]

5. This could be the boondoggle that finishes off fat boy's career

Given the current state of the economy and particularly retail sales, I don't see much chance that merchants will flock to this place.

The voters won't be happy that a billion of their tax dollars were spent to build an empty mall.

[BlueJazz]

9. Yep...I was thinking the same thing. With REAL buying power going down...

...plus Gas @ $4.00 a gallon, who's going to shop there? :)

[lonestarnot]

6. Or another sports bullshit complex somewhere.

[LiberalAndProud]

8. Logic fails.

Retail spending is down so the state of New Jersey is spending billions to create retail space? I guess folks in New Jersey would spend more if they just have more places to spend?

Sending good money after bad = political savy?

Developers -- do we have their names? How much did they invest in Christie's campaign?

[sinkingfeeling]

10. It is extremely ugly!

[LeftinOH]

11. Enough f*cking malls, already. n/t