Jury in White Flint Mall Case: Mall Owners Must Pay $31 Million to Lord & Taylor

Lord & Taylor
PHOTO | Mike Kalasnik CCPL

A federal jury has ruled on Friday that White Flint Mall owners must pay Lord & Taylor $31 million due to a breached contract with the retail store.

The Washington Post first reported the ruling and added the jury deliberated for three days.

Just in: Jury rules White Flint Mall owners breached contract with Lord & Taylor. Mall owners to pay $31M in damages

— Jonathan O'Connell (@jocwapo) August 14, 2015

The ruling is the end of a 2013 case that began in the Greenbelt’s U.S. District Court.

Jury was deadlocked for three days at 6-1, but court rules require just 6 for a verdict.

— Jonathan O'Connell (@jocwapo) August 14, 2015

Attorney for Lerners: "We are very disappointed. It's going to badly hinder White Flint's efforts to redevelop the White Flint Mall."

— Jonathan O'Connell (@jocwapo) August 14, 2015

It is unknown at this time if the mall’s owners will appeal.

The mall’s owners, Lerner Enterprises, have plans to redevelop the mall into a town center.

The Montgomery County Planning Board approved a sketch plan in 2012 for a new mixed development project on the 45.3-acre mall site that will transform the retail establishment into a complete community featuring residential, office, retail and public uses including a large central plaza, a 2.3 acre addition to the existing White Flint Neighborhood Park, and an elementary school site.

Visit the Montgomery County White Flint Sector Plan website here.

About Aline Barros

Aline Barros is a multimedia reporter and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She can be reached at Abarros@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter at @AlineBarros2.

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