River Park Square Seeks To Keep Leases Private

Fri., April 3, 1998

By Kristina Johnson kristinaj@spokesman.com

An attorney for the owners of River Park Square is seeking an injunction to block the release of certain financial information about the downtown redevelopment project.

Disclosing the contents of leases and other financial documents could cause “irreparable harm” to the developer and the shopping center’s tenants, said Duane Swinton, attorney for Citizens Realty Co. and Lincoln Investment Co., owners of River Park Square.

“Basically, the (documents) contain information that is confidential between the landlord and the tenants that could put them at a competitive disadvantage,” said Swinton, who filed a motion for an injunction Thursday.

Last week, Spokane County Superior Court Judge Linda Tompkins ruled the documents were exempt from public disclosure while they were being used to apply for economic development dollars. That exemption - allowed for in state law - disappears once the loan is granted, she said.

Last January, attorney Steve Eugster sued the city for the release of several documents.

They include a Nordstrom lease, which is being used as collateral for a $22.65 million loan from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This week, the loan to the shopping center’s developers won approval from the city and HUD.

During a hearing Thursday, Tompkins said she will decide April 16 when that application period ends. At that time, she also will consider Swinton’s motion.

Eugster said he plans to appeal Tompkin’s decision because the release of the documents continues to be delayed.

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