A last-minute intervention by a lender has delayed the city of Fresno’s attempt to evict the nonprofit operating the Granite Park Sports Complex.

The city wants Central Valley Community Sports Foundation out of the youth sports complex on Cedar Avenue. The two sides signed a 30-year lease in 2015, calling for annual $62,500 rent (with yearly increases). The city agreed to provide CVCSF with a $150,000 yearly subsidy to offset operational costs.

The drama between the two sides has been covered by GV Wire in recent years. Things were about to come to a head next Monday, with the start of an unlawful detainer lawsuit — the legal term for eviction proceedings.

In previous court hearings, the city said CVCSF owes at least $81,977 through March 31, 2025, in rent.

On Monday, LandValue Management, LLC, which is CVCSF’s lender, filed a brief with the court, noticing its intention to intervene.

“In light of this development, the City believes it is in the public’s best interest to temporarily pause litigation to open a direct dialogue with LandValue. The City remains committed to enforcing the Lease and addressing the ongoing and numerous breaches by the current tenant. As part of its discussions, the City intends to present LandValue with a full and updated accounting of all outstanding lease defaults,” City Manager Georgeanne White said in a news release.

The city will file a motion to dismiss the eviction lawsuit with the court but reserves the right to refile.

Developer James Huelskamp is associated with LandValue Management, and is also an associate of CVCSF President Terance Frazier.

The city alleged the nonprofit has not paid rent, utilities, and breached other parts of the lease. CVCSF said it made $3 million in improvements that should count as rent credits.

Frazier called the city’s action “a major turn of events.”

“They folded,” Frazier said in a statement. “After spending months attacking us in the press, dragging us through court, and falsely claiming we owed hundreds of thousands in rent, the City quietly filed to dismiss their case without winning a single argument in court. Why? Because they knew they were going to lose.”

“We are not going anywhere,” Frazier said.

Last Minute Notice

Attorneys for the city and CVCSF met in court Tuesday to set a June 30 trial date in the courtroom of Judge Kristi Culver Kapetan. Now, that is on hold.

In court documents, LandValue said the city failed to provide the required 90-day notice of the city’s March 13, 2025, demand for CVCSF to pay rent or vacate.

A hearing on LandValue’s motion is scheduled for Thursday. Court documents show the company financed $1.5 million improvements at Granite Park.

The city said it is the first substantive communication in months from LandValue Management.

“Should the lender choose not to cure the tenant’s defaults as required under the Lease, the City intends to reinitiate litigation, including renewed eviction proceedings, to protect both the public interest and the integrity of the Granite Park property,” White said.

Frazier has long accused the city of political motives for its eviction attempt. He has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit that is pending.

“I have to believe that the city chose not to proceed because it was going to be very difficult for them to succeed. In the event they lost, that would have a significant impact on the pending civil case still a long ways out from being concluded,” said CVCSF attorney Lance Armo.

Lawsuit Was to Proceed

Last week, CVCSF attempted to have the unlawful detainer case thrown out, but its motion was denied by Judge Robert Whalen.

Attorneys for CVCSF attempted to argue the 90-day notice requirement. Whalen said that would be an argument for LandValue to make, not the park operator.

Whalen tossed a first eviction lawsuit attempt by the city earlier this year because of a technical defect but allowed the city to refile.

“The City remains focused on ensuring that any use of public property complies with all legal, financial, and operational obligations,” White said.