The owners of the Court Center, a three-story building once filled with bars in Des Moines' downtown entertainment district, have denied claims waged by one of their tenants that their management led to lost business.
They've also waged a countersuit against the tenant, Larry Smithson, claiming his statements against the owners were defamatory.
Smithson is the owner of The District Bar & Grill located on the main floor of the complex. Three weeks ago, he filed a lawsuit against the building's ownership group and manager, Jeffrey Hassman, alleging that Hassman's mismanagement led the city's zoning board last year to amend the building's conditional use permit. The amendment barred alcohol from being served at the property's businesses past midnight due to an increase in assaults originating from that location, 216 Court Ave.
Smithson argued in the lawsuit that his business has lost more than $50,000 a month because of the restriction.
The building's ownership group denied Smithson's claims in a countersuit filed on March 27, arguing that they have successfully run the property for nearly two decades and contributed to the growth of downtown Des Moines.
The owners stated they went "above and beyond (their) obligations" by working with the city and police department to come up with solutions to increase safety, including through additional lighting, cameras and...
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