Decision Expected In Early Fall On Meadowlands Parkway QuickChek, Gas Station

SECAUCUS, NJ — A decision will be made in the early fall regarding the QuickChek gas station and hotel proposed for Meadowlands Parkway.

This is a proposal from the Opper Group, the landowner, to build a QuickChek/gas station, plus a four-story, 122-room Extended Stay motel at 35 Meadowlands Parkway.

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This is the large empty lot at the base of the Rt. 3 off-ramp, behind the colorful "Secaucus" mural of the Meadowlands.

The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) has supervisory control of that land, and they held a final hearing July 7 on Opper's application.

Now, the NJSEA is reviewing testimony and evidence from both sides (Hartz Mountain is against the proposal).

The NJSEA will release a decision in the early fall, NJSEA planner Mia Petrou said this week.

Whatever her division recommends will then be taken into consideration by the full NJSEA Board of Commissioners.

35 Meadowlands Parkway is owned by Alexander Opper of the Opper Group. Opper needs the NJSEA to grant him at least eight variances.

The NJSEA board makes the final decision to approve or deny the variances.

Hartz Mountain, which owns nearly all the rest of the land along Meadowlands Parkway, is very much against the QuickChek gas station opening.

In the past year, Hartz hired a lawyer who spent hours interrogating Opper and his team at NJSEA hearings. The Hartz lawyer focused on flooding concerns, and the environmentally sensitive wetlands along the Hackensack River.

In response, Opper said it was required by the state of New Jersey to fill the land, cap it and elevate the lot, which they spent the past five+ years doing. The state also required Opper to put a 50-foot flood zone buffer around the property, which they also did.

Most of the site is now above the flood zone, says Opper.

Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli supports the QuickChek gas station opening there. He said it would be beneficial to Secaucus residents, and people getting on and off Rt. 3.

The last report as of June: QuickChek Gas Station, Hotel Still Being Considered For Meadowlands Parkway In Secaucus (June 15)