Giants, Jets sued for allegedly delaying American Dream mall

The developers of the long-stalled American Dream mall project near MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., filed suit against the Giants and the Jets, claiming that they are to blame for delays to the plans, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Edmonton, Alberta-based developers Triple Five seek monetary damages from the National Football League teams for allegedly breaching a contract that gave their permission to proceed with the $4 billion project, which they signed with the original developers. The teams have argued that the complex would create too much traffic for fans.

“We have exhausted our patience and tolerance for the interference,” said Paul Ghermezian of American Dream. He said they hope to begin work on the project in August regardless of legal matters.

Initial construction on the 4.8 million-square foot project, formerly known as Meadowlands Xanadu, began in 2004. Plans called for a project with entertainment venues, outdoor amusements, a hotel, office space, retail and even indoor skiing, as previously reported.

But the project was delayed, and the site had sat mostly dormant since full-time construction was suspended in 2009. Governor Chris Christie announced in 2010 that Triple Five, the owners of Mall of America in Minneapolis, would take over the project and have it ready for the 2014 Super Bowl at the MetLife Stadium, where the Jets and Giants play.

One reason for the construction holdup could be a lawsuit filed in June by the Giants and Jets seeking to keep the mall closed on game days. [WSJ] – Mark Maurer