EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
The City of Evansville says on Monday night that it will seek a quick hearing in hopes of dismissing a suit filed Monday against the demolition of Roberts Stadium.
That appeal was filed in Vanderburgh Superior Court by local businessman Alan Brill.
Brill says he wants the court to stop the demolition process so that another independent study can be done.
"I know that the mayor didn't listen," Brill said.
Brill files suit saying he's upset over the way Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke made his decision on the future of Roberts Stadium.
"I know that he appointed the Roberts Task Force, which was a sham," Brill said.
Sham. Deceitful. Misleading. Those are just some of the words Brill used to describe the process that led to the decision to tear down Roberts Stadium and replace it with green space.
"A bunch of 4th graders planning a school dance would have been ashamed to have been apart of that report process," Brill said.
Brill says even though several public meetings were held and anyone was allowed to speak, what they spoke out, he says, was limited.
"There was no permitted communication about substance. If one tried to offer substance or how or why should we do this, or what's wrong with this, or why do we want to do this, they were cut off," Brill said.
"I think this suit is very disappointing," said Mayor Lloyd Winnecke.
Mayor Winnecke says he was surprised a lawsuit of this nature was filed, saying the city looked at all alternatives and did everything it could to make sure the public had a say in his decision.
"I am very confident that the lawsuit will not be successful, but as it goes through the judicial process, it will continue to cost us money and that's very unfortunate," Mayor Winnecke said.
Brill says he believes Roberts Stadium could easily be transformed into another facility. One that would not compete with the Ford Center.
Mayor Winnecke says he stands behind his decision.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
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