JACKSON, N.J. — A growing number of massive, newly constructed warehouses across New Jersey are sitting vacant, drawing criticism from residents who say the state is trading open space for industrial sprawl with little benefit.
In Jackson Township, millions of square feet of warehouse space—initially marketed for tenants like Amazon—remain unoccupied.
One of the largest projects, developed by Vito Cardinale of Cardinale Enterprises, was later sold and now sits empty.
According to Wake Up NJ, a community watchdog account, this is happening across New Jersey.
“This was beautiful farmland at one time, and now it’s just this thing,” the account posted Tuesday, sharing a video of a shuttered warehouse. “Is this what you want for New Jersey? To just be the warehouse affordable home state?”
Statewide, New Jersey’s warehouse vacancy rate reached 9% at the end of 2024, the highest since early 2013, according to a report cited by NorthJersey.com. The bulk of this unfilled space is concentrated in northern and central regions, where a warehouse construction boom during the COVID-19 pandemic fueled speculation that now appears to have outpaced demand.
Critics argue that state and local governments allowed too many large-scale distribution centers to be approved with few long-term guarantees for occupancy or community benefit. Many were pitched with economic incentives, jobs, and major tenants that never materialized.
In some cases, approvals have included zoning changes or farmland conversions, triggering backlash in suburban and rural communities. Burlington County and parts of Ocean, Middlesex, and Gloucester counties have all seen similar developments stall or remain unused.
Wake Up NJ wrote, “Why do you allow warehouses like this to be built all over our state? It’s endless… This is just getting ridiculous.”
Public frustration is rising as warehouse shells sit idle, while traffic, noise, and environmental concerns remain—without the economic payoff residents were promised.