Two sports-related organizations have filed a lawsuit against the City of Glendale over the City’s plans to build a $71.8M parking garage to serve the VAI Resort master planned development.
The complaint by the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority and the Arizona Cardinals alleges that under a 2016 agreement that settled an ongoing parking dispute between Glendale and AZSTA, Glendale cannot make changes to existing parking in the proposed area without prior approval from the Authority and the Cardinals.
The complaint says Glendale claims the approval is not needed because it retains air rights over the site and that the existing parking spaces would not be altered. AZSTA and the Cardinals dispute that claim.
The 2016 settlement arose because Glendale had committed to providing parking spaces for State Farm Stadium, but 11,000 spaces were lacking. Under the settlement, Glendale paid $17M in damages and agreed to provide approximately 4,000 spaces on the “Black Lot” for major event attendees. The settlement also included the authorization clause.
Glendale recently announced the parking garage on the Black Lot. The planned garage will connect to VAI resort with a pedestrian bridge and will be operated by the resort owners. Glendale has said the garage will continue to honor its obligations to AZSTA and the Cardinals for event parking.
Construction is scheduled to start next year and to be complete by next November. In addition to the alleged lack of required approval, the lawsuit also claims the garage construction will interrupt AZSTA’s ability to provide sufficient parking for attendees of the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament events at State Farm Stadium, since materials will be built on the surface lot and Black Lot entrances and exits.
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing Glendale from issuing construction permits or selling or transferring the Black Lot. A hearing is scheduled for December 4th. Glendale will have to show why an ongoing order or temporary injunction should not be issued. (Source)
