Court Rules Against Planned Mega Mall On Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Land
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A lawsuit has halted a planned mega-mall and development planned for Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens.
As WCBS 880's Ginny Kosola reported, those who oppose the mall received a court victory this week.
A New York State Appeals court ruled that the project is not allowed in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park unless the local state legislator approves it. State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Queens) opposes the plan for a 200 store mall built on what is technically park land.
"We are very pleased," said Richard Hellenbrecht, vice president of Queens Civic Congress. "There was a very well-reasoned and a very rational decision."
Hellenbrecht's group was one of those suing to stop the planned complex west of Citi Field. He said it was also a bad deal for the city.
Court Rules Against Planned Mega Mall On Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Land
"This is a giveaway of, basically land that is probably worth a billion dollars in today's market," he said.
The land initially had been paved over for Shea Stadium, and was again paved over for the parking lot that replaced it.
When the plan was approved, the Bloomberg administration said that the proposal was legal under the 1961 law that allowed the construction of Shea Stadium.
The mall is part of a redevelopment project planned for Willets Point, which developers say could trigger economic growth.
The developer and related companies plan to appeal.
