Opry Mills lawsuit delayed.

By Nicole Young - The Tennessean

WHAT HAPPENED: Opry Mills filed suit in Davidson County Chancery Court on Sept. 14, 2010, against its insurers for not paying what it considers full coverage, or $150 million, after the May flood caused more than $200 million in damage at the shopping center.  

 

THE BACKGROUND: Insurers paid $50 million last year, but Gregg Goodman, president of The Mills, a Simon Co., said that money covered only repair work through September. Simon Property Group participates in a joint ownership of Opry Mills and is a 50 percent owner. 

WHAT NOW: The lawsuit continues to make its way through Chancery Court. A status hearing was scheduled for Friday, but was postponed until Feb. 18. Status hearings cover procedural issues and paperwork. They are intended to make sure the case is moving toward trial, said Les Morris, spokesman for Opry Mills. 

WHAT'S NEXT: Davidson County Chancery Court intends to try the case in February 2012, according to Deputy Clerk Brenda Frady.

"Ultimately, we want to enforce the insurance contracts we believe are in place," Morris said. "We initiated this lawsuit last September and, regrettably, nothing has changed from forcing the insurance contract.

"There is no reopening date scheduled at the mall at this time. We can't talk about an opening date until we get a resolution in this case."