The city of San Diego and the development branch of the San Diego Padres were sued in San Diego Superior Court over a development plan that was approved by the City Council.
The Project for Open Government accuses the East Village Quarter project of violating several city and state laws.
However, Tailgate Development asserts the development plan for the East Village Quarter was negotiated in good faith with the City of San Diego and in accordance with all applicable local and state laws.
“The project, which was approved by the City Council in an 8-1 vote, will benefit the entire community through the creation of desperately needed housing, hundreds of good-paying construction jobs, and a vibrant public park that will enhance the surrounding neighborhood and enrich the Padres’ game day experience,” a Tailgate Development spokesperson, told the Southern California Record in an email.
The Padres are working on the East Village Quarter with New York City's Tishman Speyer and the Los Angeles-based Ascendant Capital Partners, according to media reports.
Among the claims in the complaint is that under the California Environmental Quality Act, without an environmental impact report prepared in advance of the council vote, the project is illegal.
The plaintiffs also allege in the lawsuit that the city undersold the property.
CBS reported that an appraiser estimated the land was worth $76 million but it was only sold for $35.1 million in April partly because of environmental remediation needs.
City Attorney Mara Elliott did not respond to requests for comment.
The lawsuit requests an injunction to halt the $1.5 billion Tailgate Park residential development until the rules are adhered to as well as payment for the plaintiff's attorney fees and legal costs.
Attorney Cory Briggs, who represents the plaintiffs, did not respond to requests for comment.