With no C.O., American Dream opening faces delay

Two days before the planned opening of the Nickelodeon Universe theme park, Triple Five was still waiting for a certificate of occupancy for its American Dream mega-property in the New Jersey Meadowlands.

NJ.com reported that the latest of scores of delays for the project originally scheduled to open in 2007 was due to the lack of a certificate of occupancy. The state Department of Community Affairs told the news site that it was still reviewing permits and had not signed off on all inspections.

DCA spokesperson Lisa Ryan said inspectors were up to date on all permit application it had received and that the state “continues to work with the developer to schedule and perform inspections as quickly as possible.”

Tickets were sold out for opening day at the 3 million-sq.-ft. shopping, entertainment, and dining complex that adjoins MetLife stadium off the New Jersey Turnpike in East Rutherford.

The Prudential Center arena in neighboring Newark ran into the same difficulties prior to its opening in 2007 and was allowed to operate under a temporary C.O. until inspections were completed.