Residents of the De Anza Cove mobile-home park have reached a $3.6 million settlement with the city of San Diego for the poor treatment they received from a property management company hired by the city.
The settlement closes just one chapter of a bitter dispute between the city and residents over whether they should be living in Mission Bay Park on what is arguably one of the more valuable pieces of land in San Diego.
The city has been trying to kick residents out of the mobile-home park since 2003 so the 76-acre site could be converted into a public park overlooking the bay. Residents have no problem with leaving but said they are entitled to far more than the $4,000 to $8,000 the city offered for relocation costs.
Residents, many of whom invested life savings into their homes, sued the city and are seeking a sum closer to $50 million. That litigation has yet to be resolved.
The settlement announced Thursday stems from the city’s decision to hire a new park operator, Hawkeye Asset Management, in 2003. Hawkeye installed barbed-wire fences, concrete speed bumps and strict rules. Armed guards roamed the grounds and work crews tore down trees and facilities.
A judge later harshly criticized the city over Hawkeye’s conduct when more than 200 residents filed abuse lawsuits.
Ernie Abbit, president of the De Anza Cove Homeowners Association, said the oppressive environment created by Hawkeye led many residents to leave the park despite a court order intended to preserve their rights until the relocation lawsuit was resolved.
“We are relieved to have some vindication for the terrible ordeal we endured and we are hopeful that the city will treat us with respect, compassion and consideration going forward,” Abbit said.
City Attorney Jan Goldsmith issued a statement on the settlement.
“This insurance-funded settlement makes sense for all the parties as a compromise,” he said. “The De Anza litigation has been ongoing for too long and needs to be brought to a conclusion.”
Today, the park is a mixture of 500 trailers and manufactured homes.