One Westfield Place Challengers Respond To Saks Bankruptcy Filing

WESTFIELD, NJ — The group that brought multiple legal challenges against the development of One Westfield Place said its concerns have been amplified after the news that Saks Global filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

"There are now even more urgent and serious questions regarding the ability of Streetworks and/or associated LLCs to fully finance and complete this massive development project," the Westfield Advocates for Responsible Development said.

Streetworks is the former name for SW Westfield, a development entity under the Saks Global family that was created for the project as a partner in its construction.

"Among our primary criticisms has always been that non-competitive procurement and negotiation with Streetworks did not result in the best project for Westfield at the (still) publicly owned train station lots," added the Advocates.

Redevelopment attorneys for the Town are currently reviewing the filings to prepare their findings for the Council to discuss on how to move forward under the outstanding agreements with SW Westfield.

In the aftermath of the bankruptcy news, Mayor Jeremy Berman assured the Town that he and his fellow leaders remain committed to holding all developers accountable while making sure that Westfield remains financially protected.

Officials have still not announced a date for breaking ground on the One Westfield Place project, one that former Mayor Shelley Brindle said will infuse $375 million into the downtown economy and another $42 million in infrastructure and streetscape improvements.

She also has highlighted the "$165MM in PILOT revenue will diversify and stabilize our tax base, benefiting all taxpayers."

In late 2025, the Town settled with the Advocates after years of legal battles over what the group alleged was a rushed approvals process, the dismissal of residents' concerns, and unhealthy overdevelopment in the area.

Still, the group said, their work is not done, adding, "As Westfield Advocates previously indicated, we are continuing to monitor the OWP project and implementation of the Train Station redevelopment agreement...we look forward to providing further input to the current mayor and councilmembers as they evaluate options."

MORE FROM PATCH: New Westfield Mayor Addresses Rise In Car Thefts, Home Break-Ins Around Community