Facts

Caltrans filed an eminent domain action to acquire property in La Mirada, owned by Tash Investments, for the widening of the I-5 freeway. The property was a 1.96-acre parcel that contained a three-story office building.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff originally appraised the property at $8.8 million. Plaintiff's final appraisal of the property was $9,515,000. Plaintiff contended that Tash Investments was not entitled to recover pre-condemnation damages due to delay in the filing of the complaint.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Tash Investments appraised the property at $11.6 million. Tash also sought pre-condemnation damages for rental losses due to delay in the filing of the complaint.

Result

The case settled for $10,925,000.

Other Information

Tash's claim for pre-condemnation damages was the subject of a motion to dismiss filed by Caltrans that was pending at the time of the mediation. In a previous action involving the same project and the same trial judge, the court had granted a similar motion to dismiss by Caltrans. MEDIATOR: Hon. Lawrence W. Crispo, ret. FILING DATE: Sept. 20, 2013.