Two property owners who partnered with the City of Kingman as part of the planned I-40: Rancho Santa Fe Traffic Interchange have come to legal blows over the land.
William Lenhart and William Plise, both of Las Vegas, were equal partners in KDP Manager LLC when the company was formed in 2019 to purchase 1,300 acres in Kingman under a development agreement with the City.
Parallel litigation has been filed in Mohave County Superior Court and Clark County (Nevada) Superior Court. Arbitration has taken place in Las Vegas.
Both men were managers of KDP Manager. Lenhart is also manager of SDVIP VB LLC. Plise’s attorney said there was an operational dispute between the two that resulted in a December 2022 purchase agreement where Plise and KDP bought 650 acres from SDVIP VB LLC.
The complaint claims a breach of contract and that Lenhart has obstructed the agreement to sell to KDP Manager. There are also allegations of conflict of interest since Lenhart was a manager of both companies.
Lenhart alleges Plise is trying to force him out of the opportunity and take over the project for his own benefit.
Lenhart’s attorney said Lenhart bought 1,025 acres for the project on his own and worked personally over time to advance it. He reportedly agreed to partner with Plise as KDP Manager because Plise had more development and finance expertise.
Plise wants the court(s) to compel Lenhart to comply with the purchase agreement and alleges the development could be put at risk, otherwise.
The potential impacts on the project are not currently known. The Arizona Department of Transportation has said it will probably be ready to advertise for bids next summer.
A trial setting conference has been set in Kingman for July 11 of next year.
Kingman City Council met in executive session to discuss the situation and the development agreement Sept. 15. Another executive session discussion will probably take place Nov. 7. (Source)