By Emma Sylvia
Cardinale Enterprises is due to transform Jackson, and potentially all of Central Jersey, as we know it. Though that claim might sound hyperbolic, it’s nothing of the sort. Vito F. Cardinale of Cardinale Enterprises explains how his company is due to impact the area not just temporarily, but for the far future. Cardinale Enterprises will not just be revolutionizing local industry — they’re planning to transform the medical world for years to come.
It begins with Adventure Crossing, in Jackson Township. After attempting to purchase the property next to Six Flags Great Adventure over the course of 10 years, Cardinale was eventually successful. The goal? To build not just a sports and entertainment facility, but to foster a community where people can live, work, and play. The aim of this project is nothing short of altruistic. Cardinale explains, “The goal for Adventure Crossing here in Jackson is to build one of the biggest brain institutes that focuses on neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and ALS.”
This aspiration began years ago, when Cardinale’s wife, Linda, passed away from MS. He, in partnership with others, established the Linda E. Cardinale Multiple Sclerosis Center at CentraState Hospital in Freehold, in order to accommodate and support families in similar situations. Adam McIndoe, President of Netwave Interactive Marketing, explains that this Center “started this initiative,” referring to Adventure Crossing.
The continuous property of 300 acres has already begun its development, with the multi-field sports complex – hosting 1,500-2,000 weekend visitors – and golf dome being complete. These two advents are a stepping stone to the ultimate goal of having a convention center, with several hotels, including a Hilton and a Marriott (which are already signed onto the project) to support the immense number of guests that will be heading to Jackson in years to come.
Cardinale attests, “It won’t be very difficult to attract people, because we have so much to offer.” Right in the middle of the state, tenants have already begun to move in. Cardinale says, “If you look at a typical, traditional development, they always build the residential first, and then the businesses come in. But if you look at our case, you can see that we’ve been very fortunate: We’ve had tenants come in early.” Already populated with 7-11, Taco Bell, Popeye’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Panda Express, Starbucks and more, Adventure Crossing shows no signs of slowing down. With tenants that do a great job at attracting families, alongside neighbor Six Flags, Cardinale says, “At some point, this becomes the Disney of the Northeast.”
With the goal of making “The Shore indoors,” Adventure Crossing will feature indoor winter sports, as well as live music and other fantastic events for those yearning for a Jersey summer year-round. “We try to make it a quality experience,” Cardinale says. He can already imagine a family’s stay at Adventure Crossing: While Mom and Dad are away at their convention in the dome, kids and grandparents have ease of access to the park itself and Six Flags next door. “We’re making New Jersey something for everyone. We want this location to be that ‘something’ for everyone.” If one wants to leave the property, there are more than enough options, with the Jersey Shore in one direction and the Turnpike in the other for convenient access to Philadelphia, New York, Maryland, and more. And Cardinale Enterprises’ plan is to keep prices in check as well. McIndoe explains, “It’s not like when you go to other sporting events where concessions are extremely expensive. Everything is reasonable. It’s family friendly. It’s about families coming together, enjoying traveling, supporting each other, and having a good time in a manageable way. Not only are you saving the flights — you’re staying in New Jersey.”
New Jersey, while popular in the summer, is due to become a tourist destination year-round. The dome of Adventure Crossing will also host sporting events, with McIndoe elaborating, “You have kids traveling to Florida, Delaware, Virginia.” Instead of paying the immense airfare for such a trip, one may now take a short drive down to Jackson and be there all day. “There are reasons to spend all weekend here,” McIndoe says. “It supports the town; it supports the community, it supports the fight against MS.”
In terms of community support, Cardinale explains the fantastic economic opportunities for the nearby towns. During the construction phase of Adventure Crossing, more than 2,000 jobs will be created, with over 2,000 permanent jobs being created upon its completion. “You build the attraction to bring the families, to populate the hotels. There are a lot of moving pieces along the way.” With the dome being able to support trade and consumer shows, parties and more, it is easy to see the vision that Cardinale has. Being a center of sports and entertainment, Cardinale muses, “How could you ask for more?”
Cardinale explains how it’s not just work and play that will draw families to Adventure Crossing. The ultimate goal of Adventure is to serve as an “economic engine,” fueling and providing funding for the medical institute that will be built nearby. He is thankful for the understanding that local government and partners have had for the goal. Jackson Mayor Michael Reina had seen the opportunities available on the Rt. 537 and 195 Corridor years prior. He championed the ideas behind strong but smart commercial development away from the residential areas and the schools. Along with the Jackson Township Zoning and Planning Board, this corridor — now home to Adventure Crossing and the dreams of Cardinale — has become a reality.
In terms of the medical school, Cardinale explains the high-end nature of the institute, and the importance of partnering with former the President of NJIT, Dr. Joel Bloom. The education center will offer students from around the world training to thoroughly research neurological diseases and work toward a cure.
To help prepare the health and medical sciences workforce for the “brain institute,” an ecosystem of education and research to cure neurological and related disorders will be developed. It will be located on a campus adjacent to Adventure Crossing. Along with the brain institute, the campus is envisioned to include a high school, attracting high achieving students interested in the health and medical sciences, from both the United States and internationally. The campus will also include undergraduate and graduate educational opportunities, including medical education. Vito and his team are partnering with Dr. Joel Bloom, President Emeritus of New Jersey Institute of Technology. Previously, he served as NJ assistant commissioner for K-12 education. Joel is uniquely qualified to help develop this innovative system of articulated education programs that will include multiple opportunities for students to participate in team-based research. These students will be well-prepared for careers in health and medical sciences, which are in great demand worldwide.
Cardinale says, “In case I don’t cure the disease with my research, I will at least create young minds that go back home and are in the business of curing neurological diseases.” Working with scientists from all over the world, including the National MS Society, Cardinale is proud of how far they’ve come already. “This research lab is going to be accomplishing goals that nobody in the world has achieved.”
His philosophy is simple: “Plant a seed in the ground, and the tree grows. I want to plant a seed in the ground like most of the great immigrants who came to this country did. We all want the tree to grow, and all we ask for is for our children to take that fruit and harvest it to do great things for our country and our families.”
A first generation American himself, Cardinale is proud to plant that seed for his family, but also for the future students of the medical school.
Acknowledging that there are many preventative maintenance drugs for MS in the United States, Cardinale says, “I’m not looking to create another. I’m looking for cures.” The goal of eradicating MS is clear on the Cardinale marketing materials, advertising: “The Adventure has arrived, and MS is leaving.”
Cardinale attributes his faith for much of the journey that he’s gone on for Adventure Crossing and the founding of the research campus. “People ask, ‘Why wasn’t this land developed? Why aren’t they putting hotels here?’ God had a mission.” The popular adage of God working in mysterious ways reigns true for Cardinale, who believes that the location of Adventure Crossing was “meant to be.” He understands that MS has been around for a long time and will not be cured in two weeks, despite wishing it so. “I’m going to do whatever I can to save the 2.9 million people in the world that have MS.”
Adventure Crossing isn’t the only endeavor that Cardinale has pursued. In Berkeley Township, Cardinale Enterprises received approval to build 120 housing units for veterans through Tunnel-to-Towers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to families of fallen first responders of September 11. Cardinale’s passion for the organization and assisting veterans is one of his greatest prides. He says, “I’m very aware of their mission, and it’s probably one of the proudest things that I can say that I’m going to do. I don’t know how to thank these people.”
With no cost to the veterans, the plan has had nothing but support from the local community. Cardinale turned down opportunities for different types of developments at the Berkeley property for more than 20 years, unwilling to build something that did not benefit the community. Happy with the beauty of the future buildings’ renderings – likening it to Boca Raton – Cardinale is ecstatic to build housing for those that need help. “You can do a lot if you think outside of the box, such as [with] our Manalapan Township project, where we have affordable housing for MS patients and veterans.”
The housing projects don’t end there. In Barnegat, Cardinale has plans for building 400 units, with 25 percent of those units being dedicated to those with special needs. The Linda E. Cardinale Wing recently held its 23rd annual Gala, which raised enough funds to provide 750 Wellness Program weeks to current and future patients. The facility itself, over the past 10 years, has provided service to more than 3,000 people.
Along with all Cardinale has done to establish new care options for MS patients, he has also opened a “Lake of Opportunity” to the outdoors on his private farm for disabled youth and veterans to fish and enjoy eco-therapy programs. The outdoor programs are geared towards reducing stress for disabled children and limiting PTSD symptoms for our veterans, active-duty military and first responders.
There’s plenty to look forward to in Jackson. Once Adventure Crossing is complete, consider Central Jersey for your next family vacation – after all, the work and play will be going to a fantastic cause. Cardinale says it best: “The goal is to take MS out. It’s to stop it from destroying families.”