City sues sod group over Parkview Field

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Redevelopment Commission of Fort Wayne is suing Parkview Field's sodding company over an "unacceptable turf grass" infesting the field.

According to court documents, it's called poa annua grass.  The Commission recognized it when Parkview Field was sodded on October 3, 2008.

"It had to be installed at that time in order to be able to play back in April of '09," said Executive Director of the Redevelopment Commission of Fort Wayne Greg Leatherman.

It can be seen all over the outfield from many areas in Parkview Field.  But it could be more than just an eyesore, potentially destroying parts of the field and affecting the play at TinCaps games.

The field is supposed to last around seven years, but officials worry the poa grass won't let that happen.

"It's an infestation of a type of grass that does not lend itself well to getting the whole field used for seven years," said Leatherman.  "We're going to need to do something."

Leatherman said the Commission is negotiating between the sodding company in Cincinnati (The Motz Group, Inc.) and Hanover Insurance.

According to court documents, the Commission said the contractor was negligent in installing the grass, causing a breach of contract.

"We're looking for restitution and resolution of that mistake and failure to install according to the specifications," said Leatherman.

Leatherman said the entire field needs to be re-sodded.

NewsChannel 15 contacted Hanover Insurance Thursday.  Officials said they're still waiting on the Commision's claim before they say anything.

The Motz Group could not be reached for comment.