Re “Ash St. deal: Is this the best of bad options?” (July 27): As former San Diego city attorney, I would like to point out that Michael Smolens ignores key facts and appears to blame the cleanup crew. Here’s a recap. The city leased-to-own Civic Center Plaza (in 2015), then 101 Ash Street, after years of negotiation and public hearings. The council approved the 101 Ash Street deal on Nov. 15, 2016, and then-Mayor Kevin Faulconer signed it two days later.
When I took office on Dec. 12, 2016, no known legal basis existed to unwind the deals. That changed in January 2020 when the administration moved employees into the unoccupied 101 Ash Street building, only to evacuate it because city contractors had released asbestos while remodeling. Through litigation, we discovered that the city’s volunteer real estate adviser had pocketed millions in undisclosed commissions — money we later recovered. Despite the strength of our case, the city settled with the landlord and lender. Litigation against the contractors continues.
This is all explained in public records. Smolens should read them.
— Mara W. Elliott, Scripps Ranch