MEADOWLANDS – For now, the Giants and Jets football teams can’t block the amusement and water park expansion of the American Dream Meadowlands development that’s under construction on Route 3.
A Superior Court Judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit that sought to prevent the expansion plans from moving forward, according to The Record. He said the suit was premature.
However, Judge Peter Doyne said that the teams can go back to court once the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority’s approval process is complete.
“Without knowing what the final, approved proposal will be, the court cannot decide whether [the project] will cause adverse effects to [the Giants and Jets], thus triggering their right under the Cooperation Agreement to consent to it,” Doyne wrote in a 31-page ruling.
The $3.7 billion project includes a Dreamworks Animation theme park, attractions, retail and other venues. The professional sports teams sought an injunction in June to prevent the developer Triple Five from reviving the project, which has been stalled since 2009 due to financial woes. The lawsuit filed in a state court in Bergen County alleged that Triple Five did not receive their consent to expand the project and also cited traffic impacts.
Triple Five issued a statement stating, “We are clearly elated by the decision and will continue to move forward with our project. We look forward to working with the teams through the appropriate regulatory process before the NJSEA.”
“We are pleased with the Court’s opinion and hope, as a result, the NJSEA will finally address our and our fans’ concerns about Triple Five’s proposed expansion,” said Karen Kessler, a spokesperson for the NFL Teams.