Building Begins on Giant Queens Mall

Construction began yesterday on a gigantic Queens' shopping mall that could have included the city's first Wal-Mart.

Discussions between the big box store chain and Vornado Realty Trust, the developer, were scrapped in 2005 after opponents rallied against the retailer's labor practices.

The current plan includes Century 21, Kohl's, and the Home Depot at the 600,000-square-foot site, set to open in 2009.

Mayor Bloomberg defended Wal-Mart, saying the city, should not block any business from opening here. The CEO of Vornado, Steven Roth, said the new site will be an "architectural landmark." He also told Mr. Bloomberg that he had to "put a plug in" for the Moynihan Station and Madison Square Garden — projects the company is negotiating with the state.