Jilted landowner sues Friendswood for $1.2M

FRIENDSWOOD, Texas — An Alvin landowner is suing the city of Friendswood for refusing to pay penalties for terminating a contract for the 60 acres of parkland.

Landowner David Wight claims the city owes him $1.2 million.

The city agreed to buy the land in 2008 to build ballparks to alleviate the overcrowding at the city’s existing sports fields. The city’s lawyers said the purchase was legal, and Friendswood contracted to buy the land for $2.6 million in September 2008.

However, five residents fought the city’s plans to issue $11 million in certificates of obligation — debt taken on without voter approval — in part to buy the land. Judge Scott Jenkins of the 53rd District Court in Travis County ruled in July in favor of the residents.

In September, the city canceled the contract after a last-ditch attempt to salvage the deal by asking the city of Alvin if it could annex the land along FM 528. Alvin declined.

Wight’s suit claims the city terminated its contract after Wight expended "large sums of money on purchasing portions of the property and constructing improvements on the property."

Friendswood officials knew the lawsuit was coming. Mayor David Smith said in September that the city could be sued if council members refused to pay the penalties. Smith voted against canceling the contract.

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