Newark Arena

In one of those fascinating insights into development, the Star-Ledger reported today that the Newark Arena (which has been under construction for about 2 years) was being constructed on land owned by just about everyone in Newark EXCEPT the City. It will be remedied today with a complicated land swap designed to promote redevelopment of the areas around the arena while ensuring the ability to secure financing for the ongoing work. The printed copy of the paper also had a before and after map that wasn't available online.

It is amazing to realize how far this project has gotten without finalizing an issue as seemingly fundamental as the property ownership -- I mean, Bon Jovi opens the building with his concert on October 26th. This also shows another reason why urban projects can be so utterly complex.