Developer Sues Monrovia for $106 Million, Alleges Breach of Contract

A local developer is suing Monrovia for $106 million in damages, alleging that the city breached a contract relating to the Station Square Transit Village development being built in anticipation of the coming Gold Line Foothill Extension, according to the city.

City officials put out a prepared statement Wednesday evening and said they were shocked by the lawsuit and the enormity of the monetary damages sought.

"Samuelson & Fetter has levied upon us a lawsuit that would destroy the community that they helped create," Councilman Joe Garcia wrote. "We are shocked and saddened that they felt it was necessary to take this action."

According to the city, the lawsuit alleges that Monrovia breached a contract with the developer when it used land for a rail maintenance yard project instead of allowing it to be commercially developed.

Lynda Fetter, a principal at Samuelson & Fetter, did not immediately return a call requesting comment on this story.

Patch has not yet reviewed the lawsuit documents, which were not available in the court's online records system Wednesday night. Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz said the city received a preliminary copy of the lawsuit on Tuesday and has not been served with an official copy registered with the court.

Check back later for more on this breaking story.