UPDATED: July 16, 12:15 p.m.

The former developer of Syracuse University’s planned new bookstore and fitness center has filed a lawsuit claiming the university wrongfully terminated the project.

The university fired Cameron Hill Construction, LLC on June 20. SU cited construction delays and an inability to secure financing as causes for terminating the project. However Cameron Group said in the lawsuit that the university was responsible for the delays.

According to the document, from the planning stage through termination of the project the university’s design group made several changes to the plans for the building. The document offers examples of the university’s desired changes in size of the building, and changes to the building’s mechanical and electrical systems to “show that there was a fluid working relationship between Cameron Hill and the University that was not governed by precise dates and positions written in stone.”

The lawsuit also claims that the university breached the contract between the two parties, and as a result Cameron Group has sustained damage to its brand, its corporate existence, and has sustained economic damages.

Cameron Hill has incurred, to date, losses of approximately $1.5 million, according to the lawsuit.

The group is seeking an order compelling SU to fully comply with and proceed with the contracts between the two parties.

In a statement, Kevin Quinn, SU’s senior vice president for public affairs, said the lawsuit has no merit, adding that the university properly cancelled the contract because the developer failed to meet a series of milestones required under the contract.

“This included failing to secure construction financing, failing to submit a construction schedule, or demonstrating any likelihood the project would be completed by the contractual deadline,” he said.

Quinn added that the university is working with the City of Syracuse to ensure the site is restored.

The bookstore was to be built at 601 University Ave., and Cameron Group had been given a 30-year tax exemption for the project by the city. After firing the developer in June, Quinn said the university was not seeking any other developers and was resetting the process for the project.

Published on July 15, 2014 at 9:46 pm

Contact Brett: blsamuel@syr.edu | @Brett_Samuels27