Terance Frazier holds a press conference Friday, Nov. 11, 2024 at Granite Park in Fresno. Photo by Dylan Gonzales
A Fresno County judge ruled Friday that the City of Fresno can immediately take possession of Granite Park after determining that the Central Valley Community Sports Foundation (CVCSF) violated its lease agreement with the city.
City officials said the legal action came from several alleged lease defaults, including unpaid billboard revenue and inadequate insurance coverage for the property. According to the city, CVCSF officials admitted during a deposition that billboard revenue payments had not been made.
“I’m pleased the judge validated the City’s position that CVCSF violated its lease,” said City Manager Georgeanne White in a news release from the city. “I look forward to moving on from this saga and ensuring that Granite Park is a resource for our residents.”
The dispute with Granite Park has been going on for a few years. In 2024 the city announced plans to terminate the lease, alleging the foundation owed roughly $1.3 million in unpaid rent, utility costs, sewer fees and billboard revenue.
At a November 2024 news conference CVCSF President Terance Frazier strongly denied any wrongdoing and vowed to fight the city’s attempt to reclaim the park.
CVCSF attorneys are expected to appeal the ruling and file a motion to stay the judgment on May 28. The city plans to file its opposition by June 3, with a hearing scheduled for June 12.
The city said all existing baseball and soccer reservations at Granite Park will continue to be honored during the transition.