Q: For many years, the property that was Hawthorne Plaza, some 35 acres, has largely been vacant and not kept up. Isn’t it abandoned and just blight now? Has anything at all happened with the lawsuit the city filed against the owners?

A: Not only has something happened with the court case, but, in fact, the outcome is also significant. The city recently prevailed and as a result, the property is being closely monitored, and the owners have a one-year deadline to get things in demonstrably good order, or the court will take action to deal with it. First, a little history with regard to the litigation:

In November 2021, Hawthorne filed a detailed civil complaint for nuisance abatement against the owners of the former Hawthorne Plaza property. The property, by most accounts, was (and has been) in considerable disrepair and posed a danger to the neighborhood. Efforts over the years to bring the property back to life unfortunately failed for one reason or another.

The Hawthorne Plaza lawsuit has been actively litigated, with the owners initially seeking to have it dismissed in whole or in part.

There also has been considerable discovery, followed by the city’s detailed motion for summary judgment to try to establish and prove its claims.

The city’s complaint is available as a public record, and contains numerous allegations decrying the dangerous and unsafe condition of the property, the notable structural issues, and violations of law. One of the city’s goals has been to require the property to be brought up to code, to once again become productive, and to thereby benefit Hawthorne, the South Bay, and the region.

The city’s summary judgment motion was granted in March.

This decision was followed in July with an “initial injunction” entered by the court, reached after the parties stipulated (in other words, agreed) to its provisions.

The initial injunction provides that the property shall be cleaned up, repaired, made free of graffiti, and have fencing, security cameras and lighting installed.

In addition, nighttime security will be increased, and, of particular note, a neutral third party is to be appointed by the court with “the skills, qualifications and experience necessary to advise on commercial development, sale and demolition, and attendant issues for the Hawthorne Mall.” This neutral third party will be an agent of the court to advise “on the long-standing solution for the Hawthorne Mall’s development, sale, demolition or other disposition.”

Then, on Aug. 11, the court entered a “further injunction.” The neutral third party has been appointed (experienced developer Norman Haynie). There will be diligent and consistent oversight of the Hawthorne Plaza property. Perhaps the most telling part of the Aug. 11 court ruling is this one-year deadline.

“No later than August 31, 2026, Defendants (the owners) must break ground on demolition or redevelopment of the Hawthorne Plaza, inclusive of obtaining all necessary approvals from applicable jurisdictions to take such action. The obligations created by the injunction and the July 17 Initial Injunction and Neutral Appointment Order are non-delegable on the part of Defendants”.

Hence, the stage is set for the Hawthorne Plaza property to become productive. Further, it is anticipated that the city will recoup much, if not all, of its out-of-pocket in attorney fees and costs from the defendants. It also is important to emphasize that the defendants have gone from earlier fighting the city to being more cooperative, agreeing to important actions to be taken, and thereby, in my impression, also striving for a good solution.

You can review the case docket by going online to Los Angeles Superior Court Civil Case Access. Type in the case number, which is 21TRCV00869. Robert Kim is Hawthorne’s city attorney, and a key outside counsel for the city is Valerie Escalante Troesh. I cannot promise you they can respond to any and all comments or inquiries, but here are their respective emails, RKim@CityofHawthorne.org and Vescalantetroesh@civicalaw.com.

In sum, the court case has taken nearly four years, but as things stand, this next year could well find the Hawthorne Plaza getting a whole lot closer to once again becoming a truly beneficial part of not just Hawthorne and the South Bay, but also all of Los Angeles County. The court, per the Honorable Steve Cochran, has issued rulings that, absent challenge (which is not expected), could finally bring the Hawthorne Plaza property back to life.

Ron Sokol has been a practicing attorney for more than 40 years, and has also served many times as a judge pro tem, mediator and arbitrator. It is important to keep in mind that this column presents a summary of the law, and is not to be treated or considered legal advice, let alone a substitute for actual consultation with a qualified professional.