A pretrial hearing Friday resulted in the judge finding that the Central Valley Community Sports Foundation violated its lease at city-owned Granite Park.

Fresno County Superior Court Judge Jonathan Skiles agreed with the city’s attorneys that Terance Frazier’s sports foundation violated its lease, namely by not paying the city the required billboard revenue and not having the necessary insurance to protect the city, Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz told GV Wire.

The ruling puts the city one step closer to taking over operations of the facility at Ashlan and Cedar avenues. The foundation’s attorneys are expected to request a stay, allowing them to continue operation while any appeal hearings move forward.

Janz said the city will dispute that request ahead of a hearing to take place June 12. If a judge sides with the city, Janz said the city will take immediate possession of the park.

“I’m pleased the judge validated the city’s position that CVCSF violated its lease,” said Fresno City Manager Georgeanne White in a statement. “I look forward to moving on from this saga and ensuring that Granite Park is a resource for our residents.”

Frazier Reacts to the Decision

“I spent nearly 10 years fighting for this park and sacrificed nearly everything trying to keep it alive,” Frazier said in a statement to GV Wire. “This was never just business, politics, or a legal fight to me. It became personal because of what this park means to kids and families in our community.”

Frazier he is holding out hope that an appeal of Friday’s ruling will go the foundation’s way.

“I won’t pretend I’m not frustrated with today’s rulings. But my commitment has never changed. I’ll keep fighting for the kids, the families, and the community that believed in Granite Park. And I trust that the appeals process will give us the opportunity to fully be heard and uphold our rights.” 

Court Ruled Against City in April

Fighting between Frazier’s foundation and the city began in 2018 when the organization sought an increase in its subsidy to operate the park near Ashlan and Cedar avenues.

The fight then evolved into one over the city’s claim that the foundation had withheld billboard revenues and lacked insurance to protect the city from possible claims.

Last month, Judge Maria Diaz denied the city’s bid for summary judgment in the case.