The city of San Diego is suing several Mission Valley developers and about 1,500 people and businesses who now own property there, claiming the builders broke their development agreement with the city by not making the public improvements they promised almost a quarter century ago.
The lawsuit, filed by City Attorney Mike Aguirre, alleges that the developers were obligated to provide and maintain a flood channel from the San Diego River, public trails, recreational facilities, river crossings and other improvements they agreed to make in a 1983 contract. The builders had 20 years to make good on their promises, but haven’t, Aguirre claims.
Council President Scott Peters said the council did not authorize the lawsuit. Aguirre regularly maintains that as the elected city attorney he can unilaterally file litigation on the city’s behalf; several council members believe he needs their authorization beforehand.
Aguirre said the city is seeking at least $500,000 from the defendants. The case has been assigned to Superior Court Judge Yuri Hoffman.