JACKSON, N.J. — Vito Cardinale, the principal developer of Adventure Crossing, has threatened to sue Jackson Township over an ordinance passed last year that blocks him from building 1,150 housing units at the site initially marketed as a major entertainment destination near Six Flags Great Adventure.
Cardinale, owner of Cardinale Enterprises, previously owned the Jackson Crossing shopping plaza before selling it to new owners. The plaza has since shifted to businesses catering to Jackson’s growing Orthodox Jewish community. Recent additions to the plaza include a kosher juice shop, kosher pizzeria, clothing stores, and other amenities for the expanding population.
Based on that success, Cardinale announced Adventure Crossing as a tourism hub featuring two hotels, a sports stadium, sports fields, outdoor ice-skating trails, a conference center, restaurants, retail spaces, and approximately 400 housing units. However, the site has largely failed to meet those expectations. To date, more than one million square feet of warehouse space have been constructed, while most of the promised attractions remain unbuilt.
Recently, Cardinale sought partners to help develop 1,150 housing units at Adventure Crossing, sparking concerns from township officials. Council President Jennifer Kuhn said she discovered that Cardinale was attempting to exploit a loophole in the township’s zoning ordinance. The loophole allowed developers to calculate housing density based on the Adventure Crossing project—including non-residential areas—rather than just the land designated for residential use.
In response, Kuhn spearheaded a new ordinance to close the loophole, limiting Cardinale to the 400 units previously approved and requiring him to submit a new plan to the zoning board if he wished to increase the density. Despite Cardinale’s threats of a $100 million lawsuit, the council voted 4-1 to approve the amendment.
At a contentious council meeting, Cardinale argued that his proposed high-density development would benefit the township by adding hundreds of affordable housing units. He accused council members of being “un-American” for blocking the additional 800 units.
“I’m going to sue you,” Cardinale said during the meeting. “When I see you, they won’t be two-bedroom units; they will be six-bedroom units.” He continued his tirade, saying, “I hope you leave the United States of America. I hope you leave this country, you are not Americans!”
The project, which once promised sports fields, hotels, and a convention center, remains mostly undeveloped apart from a sports complex and an indoor golf facility. Cardinale’s push for high-density housing has heightened concerns among local officials and residents, who fear the impact on traffic and infrastructure.
“This is a win for Jackson,” said Councilman Mordy Burnstein. “We’re presenting this ordinance to prevent a North Jersey urban-style development in a spot where the builder promised a future filled with commercial and entertainment opportunities.”
Kuhn emphasized the importance of protecting the township’s suburban character. “We need to protect our town from out-of-control developers who want to see this turned into a small city at that site,” she said. “This loophole must be closed before someone tries to exploit it and worsen the situation.”
No formal applications for high-density housing have been filed with the township’s planning or zoning boards, but the council’s actions are seen as a proactive effort to safeguard Jackson from future development pressures.
“Adventure Crossing, once marketed as a beacon of entertainment, now risks becoming a battleground over high-density housing and suburban preservation.”