The owner of Valley View Antiques and landlord Brookfield Plaza LP are locked in a dispute over who is responsible for damages to the building at 7325 Warren Sharon Road, Brookfield, after two spring storms.
The suit initially was filed in Trumbull County Eastern District Court, Brookfield, but Judge Marty Nosich had the suit transferred to common pleas court because the amount of money involved exceeds what a district court judge is authorized to oversee.
Brian Dilley, owner of Valley View Antiques, said the former Cortland Bank building’s roof was damaged in a storm March 29 that allowed water to enter the building, damaging the floor and merchandise. A storm April 1 ripped off electrical lines, he said.
Brookfield Plaza LP, which owns the former Valley View Department Store property, said the building was rented “as is,” making Dilley, of Sharon, responsible for fixing the damage.
Brookfield Plaza LP has filed a counterclaim for breach of contract saying Dilley violated the lease by failing to obtain a proper insurance policy that would have covered the damages, name Brookfield Plaza LP as an “other insured” party, maintain the building and grounds, and pay rent starting in April.