Willets Point Mall Counts as 'Recreation,' According to Lawyer

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The Bronx isn't the only borough try to add some serious mall square footage these days. Two developers have been trying to bring what The Real Deal has dubbed as a megamall to an area adjacent to Citi Field for years now, but some parties are now trying to squash the project in court.

A lawsuit filed in February by State Senator Tony Avella and others stated that proposed site in Willets Point is designated as parkland and that the developers—Related Companies and Sterling Equities—didn't get the proper approval from state legislature before going forward. A judge in Manhattan's State Supreme Court heard both sides of the case yesterday.

"This may be the greatest project since sliced bread, but the city still has to follow the law," argued lawyers from the plaintiffs. The developers shot back, boasting the economic opportunities that the mall would bring—not to mention how the site could still fall under its assigned use.

"Shopping opportunities—I would put that under recreation," stated a lawyer for the defendants.

Expect a ruling in the next few weeks, after both sides submit written responses to court.
· Willets Point Megamall Opponents Make Their Case in Court [TRD]
· Developers Adding 1.4 Million Square Feet of Malls to The Bronx [Racked NY]
· All Malls Posts [Racked NY]