THE VILLAGE — A lawsuit against the city by the owners of an apartment complex alleging damages because of publicity over the city's redevelopment plans has been dismissed in Oklahoma County District Court.
"We won,” said attorney Leslie Batchelor, who represents The Village in the civil lawsuit.
District Judge Dan Owens on Friday dismissed the claim filed by the owners of Vintage Lakes Apartments, listed as Heather Apartments Limited Partnership, a Minnesota-based group.
The apartment owners sued The Village in December, alleging city officials caused hardships for the property when they announced a plan in late October to try to attract a developer to replace the apartments with single-family homes.
The Village city leaders have created a tax increment finance district that covers the 436-unit apartment complex area at 10301 N Pennsylvania Ave.
The Oklahoma County assessor's office records show the complex is valued at $12 million. The lawsuit asked for $13 million in damages.
The apartment owners said the city's announcement during a city council meeting in October resulted in tenants moving or not paying rent.
The lawsuit alleges the redevelopment plan also hurt negotiations on a sale of the property.
The city filed a motion in the civil case asking the lawsuit be dismissed while the apartment owners, represented by attorney Joseph Bocock, filed a motion asking the court for more time to amend t
