The auction of the 36-acre River Park development site to satisfy an estimated more than $9 million in debt that First NBC Bank contends developer John Clements allegedly owes has been put on hold, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office has confirmed.
The auction of the property was slated for a sheriff sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday in the lobby of the City Hall, but the sheriff’s office says it received word Monday that a 19th Judicial District Court judge had signed an order halting the auction.
According to court records, a motion to strike and a stay order was filed on behalf of Clements and River Park Development LLC on June 20.
Court filings show that the defendants argued the court should strike the bank’s original petition because it was executed by a representative of the bank itself and not a licensed attorney.
They also claim the original petition contained numerous errors, the petition’s verification was insufficient as a matter of law and it was never served to Clements or River Park Development LLC.
First NBC Bank is seeking about $9.3 million, plus interests and court costs, for debt Clements allegedly owes to the bank.
The $600 million River Park Development was intended to be developed along the Mississippi River north of Hollywood Casino. It was touted as a mixed-used development that would be built around a boardwalk with retail spots, music venues and restaurants.
Both parties in the lawsuit have been ordered to appear in court at 9:30 a.m. on July 19 to show why a preliminary injunction should not be issued in the case and why a motion to strike should not be maintained.
