American Dream Mall, Delayed Due to Coronavirus, Will Open Testing Facility

Delays have been part of the story with the American Dream mall in New Jersey since its earliest inception, and the mall has been lauded in the past for evolving to match the American retail landscape.

1 minute read

April 16, 2020, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


American Dream Meadowlands

minnemom / Flickr

The American Dream mall, built in New Jersey and scheduled for a, now-delayed, March 2020 opening, will open part of its 3 million-square-foot footprint as a coronavirus testing facility, reports Soshy Ciment. 

"American Dream partnered with Hackensack Meridian Health and Agile Urgent Care to create a drive-thru testing site meant primarily for local police, first responders, and frontline health care workers, the complex announced in a Monday press release," according to Ciment.

In October 2019, the mall opened a Nickelodeon Universe theme park and an ice-skating rink, with a plan to open the retail components of the mall in March 2020. As Ciment documents, the coronavirus-related delay of the retail component of the mall extends the history of the planning and development of the site, which stretches back to 1996. In January 2020, Planetizen shared coverage of American Dream's pivot to entertainment offerings as brick and mortar retail struggled in the years leading up to the planned opening.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020 in Business Insider

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.