Fresno changes Granite Park locks, takes over sports complex. What’s next?
The Granite Park Sports Complex is now officially back in the hands of the city of Fresno.
On Tuesday, locksmiths changed the locks at the city-owned facility in central Fresno on Cedar Avenue. The Fresno Bee spotted park rangers, city parks director Aaron Aguirre and several other city officials on hand. The city took possession after going to court to evict the previous operator, the nonprofit Central Valley Community Sports Foundation.
“They finally got their wish. They have Granite Park,” CVCSF President Terance Frazier said. “Granite Park is now their responsibility. The community would see whether they could do a better job with the taxpayer dollars than the nonprofit did. They, I guess this is what One Fresno looks like.”
One Fresno is Mayor Jerry Dyer’s slogan.
A notice on the front gate from Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni, dated June 23, said the property would be “restored to the landlord” at 11 a.m. Tuesday. All personal property on the premises would be turned over to the tenant, or safely kept for 15 days.
Two weeks ago, Fresno County Superior Court Judge Jonathan Skiles ruled the city is likely to prevail in an eviction trial. Both parties agreed to forgo the trial. Attorneys for CVCSF filed an appeal of Skiles’ interpretation, including a request to pause the eviction proceeding. The 5th District Court of Appeal had not issued any ruling as of Tuesday afternoon.
City Hall had no immediate comment.
Nonprofit ran park for 10 years
CVCSF leased Granite Park in a 2015 agreement with the city. The land sat empty, the result of a previous developer running out of funds and defaulting. The city guaranteed the loan and took over the park.
The city claimed CVCSF breached the lease over disputes on sharing billboard revenue, making improvements to the park, and nonpayment of rent and utilities.
Frazier claimed the millions he invested in the park offset any rent. So far, that argument has not prevailed in court. He said the city owes him $500,000 and filed a countersuit.
City Manager Georgeanne White said the city will honor any previously made bookings at the park. One city official said the park will be open Tuesday to host youth baseball games. Last week, the Fresno City Council approved a fee structure to use the park. While not approving a direct entrance fee for spectators, if the game organizer charges, then a portion would go to the city.
Several CVCSF supporters, including Frazier’s wife — Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, D-Fresno — made pleas to the Fresno City Council on June 18.
“What hurts me the most isn’t me, it’s just our employees who poured their hearts into the park, the family who depended on those jobs, the kids who found a second home at Granite Park, and the taxpayers who are now responsible for what happens next,” Frazier said.
Frazier sent a letter to staff Tuesday, writing “with a heavy heart.”
“As a result of the City taking possession of Granite Park through the court process, we are forced to begin laying off members of our team. This is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make,” Frazier wrote. “While today marks the end of this chapter, I sincerely hope it is not the end of our journey together. I remain grateful for each of you and hope our paths cross again.”
It is unclear if the city will hire the now-former Granite Park employees.
