When a nonprofit operating the Granite Park Sports Complex beat back an eviction attempt earlier this year, the landlord — the city of Fresno — said it would try again. It now has, filing new litigation.

The city filed an unlawful detainer lawsuit against Central Valley Community Sports Foundation in Fresno County Superior Court last week.

This is the second attempt to remove CVCSF in less than six months. A judge dismissed the first attempt in March, citing a technical flaw in the legal paperwork.

In his March 4 decision, Judge Robert Whalen ruled the Nov. 6, 2024 unlawful detainer notice — preceding the lawsuit — would expire on a Saturday, which the law does not allow. He did allow the city to refile, which it has.

Related Story: City of Fresno Lawsuit vs. Terance Frazier’s Nonprofit Hits a Snag

“We believe we have successfully addressed and cured the technical deficiencies in the previous documents. As stated, we committed to moving forward once those issues were resolved, and we have done so,” Fresno City Manager Georgeanne White said.

CVCSF President/CEO Terance Frazier is not surprised by the filing, saying the city is “trying to weaponize the legal system to cover up their own mistakes.”

Between the first and second lawsuit filings, the city changed the value of how much rent Frazier owes — from $708,298 to $81,977.91.

“After publicly lying about how much rent was owed — damaging my reputation beyond repair — they’re doubling down instead of doing the right thing. I’ve always honored my agreements, invested millions into Granite Park, and served this community with integrity,” Frazier said.

“It’s clear this fight is no longer about facts — it’s about retaliation. But I’m not backing down. I will continue standing up for what’s right, not just for myself, but for everyone who believes the truth should matter,” Frazier said.

City Attorney Andrew Janz explained that the $708,298 is for the lifetime of the lease. The $81,977.91 amount is for the last year. Janz said the city reserves its right to go after the rest of the money.

City Says CVCSF Never Paid Its Owed Amount

Frazier’s nonprofit leased Granite Park from the city in 2015, turning a weed-filled abandoned eyesore into a sports complex with baseball/softball fields and other recreational activity.

The lease called for the nonprofit to pay $62,500 in yearly rent.

In previous filings, the city said that over the years CVCSF never paid its agreed-upon rent and owes $1.3 million — which includes utilities that the city covered and profits from an electronic billboard that CVCSF never shared.

Frazier said the millions of improvements made since his nonprofit took over offset any rent, and the city owes him money — the lease also calls for a city-paid $150,000 subsidy per year.

The city said it filed the latest rent notice on March 18, and when CVCSF did not pay by April 1, the tenant defaulted.

CVCSF is also engaged in litigation with its neighbors, the owners of Club One Casino, over parking. The city is also a party. The case returns to court May 7 for a case management conference. The city is requesting a demurrer — a court filing that if granted, would dismiss it from the lawsuit. That is scheduled to be heard May 29.

Frazier also filed a civil rights suit against the city regarding Granite Park. Filed in 2020, the case returns to federal court in July.