Moorestown Mall's Proposed Entertainment Complex To Get Vote This Fall

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown voters will decide this fall whether to rescind Moorestown's ban on amusement games. Referendum efforts backed by Moorestown Mall, which could pave the way for a massive entertainment complex, received enough petition signatures for a ballot question in November's elections.

Moorestown Mall wants to develop a family-entertainment center unlike any in the region, with rollerskating, arcades, escape rooms and more. For the project to move forward, township voters must decide whether to rescind a 1959 law that has prohibited "games of chance," such as arcade games, in the township.

PREIT — the mall's parent company which has financially struggled in recent years — launched a campaign last month to collect enough voter signatures for a November ballot question to rescind the law. Township officials received a petition with 1,852 signees, surpassing the requirement of 1,300 to get the question on the ballot.

• Related article: Massive Moorestown Mall Entertainment Complex Needs Voter Approval

Moorestown ballots will feature the following question during Nov. 7's general election:

The proposed complex would feature a range of entertainment options, including go-karts, a trampoline park, laser tag and bowling — along with dining options and a full bar for visitors of legal drinking age. Moorestown Mall would place the complex at the currently vacant Lord & Taylor building.

PREIT CEO Joe Coradino says the entertainment center would secure the mall's future as a community hub and aid Moorestown's economy.

"We're thrilled the residents of Moorestown are in support of bringing this new, action-packed destination at Moorestown Mall to the ballot in November," Coradino said in a statement. "By voting yes, residents will be able to access family-friendly entertainment in their backyard, while furthering local economic growth, job opportunities, and revenue for businesses in and around the mall."

In 1959, Moorestown opted out of the state's New Jersey State Amusement Games Licensing Law. The state measure allowed municipalities to permit "games of chance" that involve the award of prizes or issuance of amusement tickets. Local governments can only authorize the licensing of such amusement games via referendum.

New Jersey's amusement-gaming law does not apply to gambling. So passing a referendum on this matter would not allow casinos to open in Moorestown.

PREIT, which also owns Cherry Hill Mall, reported a net loss of $91.3 million for the first half of 2023 — up from $44 million during the same period last year. The Philadelphia-based company, however, has reduced its roughly $1 billion in debt by more than $50 million this year, according to PREIT's earnings call last month.

The Cherry Hill and Moorestown malls have been pivotal to PREIT's turnaround plans. The Cherry Hill facility has been a top performer among PREIT's 23 properties. The real estate-investment firm also has major projects underway at the Moorestown Mall site: a Cooper University Healthcare facility expected to open its initial phase soon and the development of a 375-unit apartment complex.

The proposed entertainment center in Moorestown could aid those efforts.

"Moorestown Mall has been transforming into a vibrant gathering place for years," Coradino said, "and this venture will help play a role in securing the mall's future as a central hub for the community while contributing important tax revenues to Moorestown Township."