Universal's Epic Universe News & General Discussion

[Paulio]

Company files $250M suit over land Universal acquired to build new theme park

 

[Alicia]

Company files $250M suit over land Universal acquired to build new theme park

Given the timetable and Gabrielle's description of the land, I believe this is a parcel to the west of the Epic Universe theme park site, along Universal Blvd, and not where they are currently building anything. So, even if the land is held up in a legal dispute, it probably wasn't going to be developed on for awhile anyway.

 

[Nico]

Company files $250M suit over land Universal acquired to build new theme park

I guess I don’t understand how this is illegal. Is it a dick move? Sure.

 

[JoeCamel]

I guess I don’t understand how this is illegal. Is it a dick move? Sure.

They say it was under contract and in the due diligence period. If the seller pulled it that would be a breach of contract but how that is Universal's fault and not Stan's I have no idea.
They are claiming they were first and Universal backdoored the deal so they could buy. I doubt it sees much beyond discovery but maybe a real attorney could drop an opinion

 

[OrlandoGuy]

They say it was under contract and in the due diligence period. If the seller pulled it that would be a breach of contract but how that is Universal's fault and not Stan's I have no idea.

Any lawyers on this site? We looking at the deep pockets doctrine in play?

 

[JoeCamel]

Any lawyers on this site? We looking at the deep pockets doctrine in play?

Yeah, I edited to reflect that sentiment

 

[fryoj]

Given the timetable and Gabrielle's description of the land, I believe this is a parcel to the west of the Epic Universe theme park site, along Universal Blvd, and not where they are currently building anything. So, even if the land is held up in a legal dispute, it probably wasn't going to be developed on for awhile anyway.

I think it's the red marked land in the images. 135 acres would be much more than just the stuff on the West side. A lot is not really desireable. Road right of ways and wetlands.

I'm guessing 4th watch was already backing out, but the contract hadn't actually expired. This may come down to a documentation issue. But to sue Universal, they'd have to have proof of collusion. Universal didn't have a contract with 4th Watch to break. Thomas would be the party they'd have to go after.

 

[shiekra38]

Company files $250M suit over land Universal acquired to build new theme park

They've come after my queen and there will be consequences


Also, I don't know who Alicia has blackmail on in the theme park industry, but I' thankful she does so we can continue to get leaks

 

[Nico]

They say it was under contract and in the due diligence period. If the seller pulled it that would be a breach of contract but how that is Universal's fault and not Stan's I have no idea.
They are claiming they were first and Universal backdoored the deal so they could buy. I doubt it sees much beyond discovery but maybe a real attorney could drop an opinion

Thank you! This was helpful

 

[SeventyOne]

but how that is Universal's fault and not Stan's I have no idea.

Not having read the case, I can only speculate some sort of tortious interference with contract theory. But I imagine @OrlandoGuy has it right, Universal has a lot more money (and motivation to make this go away quickly).

 

[Nico]

Not having read the case, I can only speculate some sort of tortious interference with contract theory. But I imagine @OrlandoGuy has it right, Universal has a lot more money (and motivation to make this go away quickly).

Which Im guessing is Fourth Watch’s ultimate goal. Construction is amping up and there is more buzz about EU coming. It’s a good time to strike. Especially if the land being disputed is necessary for parcel drainage and phase 2.

 

[tommyhawkins]

I think it's the red marked land in the images. 135 acres would be much more than just the stuff on the West side. A lot is not really desireable. Road right of ways and wetlands.

I'm guessing 4th watch was already backing out, but the contract hadn't actually expired. This may come down to a documentation issue. But to sue Universal, they'd have to have proof of collusion. Universal didn't have a contract with 4th Watch to break. Thomas would be the party they'd have to go after.


View attachment 16170

I think it's the red marked land in the images. 135 acres would be much more than just the stuff on the West side. A lot is not really desireable. Road right of ways and wetlands.

I'm guessing 4th watch was already backing out, but the contract hadn't actually expired. This may come down to a documentation issue. But to sue Universal, they'd have to have proof of collusion. Universal didn't have a contract with 4th Watch to break. Thomas would be the party they'd have to go after.


View attachment 16170

No it's exactly where Alicia said and most of the other land is Wetland of utility easements

 

[Happytycho]

I think it's the red marked land in the images. 135 acres would be much more than just the stuff on the West side. A lot is not really desireable. Road right of ways and wetlands.

I'm guessing 4th watch was already backing out, but the contract hadn't actually expired. This may come down to a documentation issue. But to sue Universal, they'd have to have proof of collusion. Universal didn't have a contract with 4th Watch to break. Thomas would be the party they'd have to go after.


View attachment 16170

The land in question is the red area on the west side within the region largely bordered by Universal Blvd, Lockheed, and the Kirkman extension.

Fourth Watch is making a specific claim that Universal knew the land was under contract well in advance of Universal's purchase, and conspired with Thomas to buy the land from him anyway. I'm not a lawyer, so I have no clue whether that argument can actually create any liability for Universal.

It does seem like Fourth Watch might at least have a decent case against Thomas, although it's somewhat hard to take seriously an entity whose supposed plan was to build a 700 foot tall, half-mile long indoor ski slope.

 

[JoeCamel]

The land in question is the red area on the west side within the region largely bordered by Universal Blvd, Lockheed, and the Kirkman extension.

Fourth Watch is making a specific claim that Universal knew the land was under contract well in advance of Universal's purchase, and conspired with Thomas to buy the land from him anyway. I'm not a lawyer, so I have no clue whether that argument can actually create any liability for Universal.

It does seem like Fourth Watch might at least have a decent case against Thomas, although it's somewhat hard to take seriously an entity whose supposed plan was to build a 700 foot tall, half-mile long indoor ski slope.

Plus that well ran dry a long time ago. Universal is the only one with money here.

 

[fryoj]

No it's exactly where Alicia said and most of the other land is Wetland of utility easements

Universal purchase of 450-plus acres is done deal, sources say

A company affiliated with Universal Theme Parks has closed on the purchase of 450-plus acres near the Orange County Convention Center, sources confirmed. The purchase would pave the way for possibl…

www.orlandosentinel.com

Universal bought 37 acres of that land on the West side of Lockheed in 2015(the blue plots in the earlier pic), so those couldn't have been under contract with 4th Watch in 2017. That only leaves ~50 acres in that area and that includes the large pond/wetlands south of Lockheed. So if 4th Watch had 135 acres under contract, it was probably all of the red areas in that pic on the around the South side of Lockheed.

 

[Happytycho]

Universal purchase of 450-plus acres is done deal, sources say

A company affiliated with Universal Theme Parks has closed on the purchase of 450-plus acres near the Orange County Convention Center, sources confirmed. The purchase would pave the way for possibl…

www.orlandosentinel.com

Universal bought 37 acres of that land on the West side of Lockheed in 2015(the blue plots in the earlier pic), so those couldn't have been under contract with 4th Watch in 2017. That only leaves ~50 acres in that area and that includes the large pond/wetlands south of Lockheed. So if 4th Watch had 135 acres under contract, it was probably all of the red areas in that pic on the around the South side of Lockheed.

No need for a 'probably' - that's exactly what it was.

 

[deathcab4cutie]

So just looked up the history of both groups and the whole thing looks fishy to me.

 

[SeventyOne]

Fourth Watch is making a specific claim that Universal knew the land was under contract well in advance of Universal's purchase, and conspired with Thomas to buy the land from him anyway. I'm not a lawyer, so I have no clue whether that argument can actually create any liability for Universal.

That's what I suspected. Tortious interference isn't a particularly common lawsuit, but it's definitely a thing: Tortious interference - Wikipedia
No idea if this has any merit until I read the actual complaint, but I don't see myself doing that.

So just looked up the history of both groups and the whole thing looks fishy to me.

I for one am shocked--SHOCKED!--real estate developers in Florida might be sketch.

 

[tommyhawkins]

Universal purchase of 450-plus acres is done deal, sources say

A company affiliated with Universal Theme Parks has closed on the purchase of 450-plus acres near the Orange County Convention Center, sources confirmed. The purchase would pave the way for possibl…

www.orlandosentinel.com

Universal bought 37 acres of that land on the West side of Lockheed in 2015(the blue plots in the earlier pic), so those couldn't have been under contract with 4th Watch in 2017. That only leaves ~50 acres in that area and that includes the large pond/wetlands south of Lockheed. So if 4th Watch had 135 acres under contract, it was probably all of the red areas in that pic on the around the South side of Lockheed.

only about 40 of those acres are usuable, with ten of those in the area next to 913

 

[anihilnation]

Lol, could you imagine if that group gets the land and then we will have two competing theme parks right next to each other