UPDATED: Developer Sues Township Over DeHart Field

A developer claiming it was rejected unfairly for a rehab project at DeHart Field has sued the township, seeking to overturn the contract award and halt any work from beginning.

Attorneys representing developer Andy-Matt filed suit in Essex County Superior Court Tuesday, saying the town council acted improperly when it awarded the contract to another firm.

Andy-Matt, the original low bidder for work on the DeHart Field renovations, was passed over for the contract when Maplewood officials determined the developer was not qualified for the job under the terms the Township had set out. The contract was awarded to Turco Golf, the second lowest bidder, who the Township determined had adequate applicable experience for the job.

In the suit, Andy-Matt asserts they are qualified for the job and that the town acted in an "arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable manner" when it awarded the contract to Turco.

Update: Maplewood Mayor Vic De Luca said that the town would not comment on the suit, as it is an active court case. He said the town would work with the courts to expedite the suit.

"We want to move forward to get the contract signed and get work on the field underway," De Luca said.