Hamilton's Spooky Nook Sports complex just put points on the board in court. A Butler County jury on Monday awarded the venue $3.3 million in a dispute with a former partner tied to the Champion Mill hotel project, a legal milestone after years of construction delays, contractor clashes and a 2021 windstorm that damaged part of the redevelopment. The ruling arrives as Spooky Nook continues to host tournaments and conferences that have brought steady crowds into downtown Hamilton.
Butler County Jury Awards $3.3 Million
A Butler County jury awarded Spooky Nook $3.3 million in compensatory damages, according to the Cincinnati Business Courier. The suit was filed by Spooky Nook against a former owner and developer who briefly advised on the hotel side of the Champion Mill conversion, the Business Courier reported. Jurors concluded that losses tied to the project flowed from that developer's conduct and set the award accordingly.
Allegations Centered On Developer Ties
Spooky Nook's complaint accused developer Steven Coon of concealing a financial interest in the project's then-general contractor, PCS & Build, and of steering that firm onto the job, allegations the company said led to defective work and extra costs, according to the Journal-News. The Journal-News also reported that Coon assisted with the project's historic tax credit application, which helped Spooky Nook secure roughly $4.7 million in credits.
Spooky Nook And Coon Respond
Spooky Nook spokesperson Mackenzie Bender told the Journal-News, "The owners claims are set forth in detail in the complaint. We do not have any additional comments at this time."
Coon's attorneys have argued the complaint should be dismissed, saying his involvement predated Spooky Nook's work and that he was not in a position to share financial information, the paper added.
Verdict Lands Amid Wider Construction Fight
The jury's decision drops in the middle of a separate and sprawling dispute with general contractor PCS & Build over the March 2021 collapse of a steel structure known as Building 500 and a tangle of liens and counterclaims, according to reporting from WCPO. Those filings include multi-million-dollar liens from PCS and subcontractors that could affect how, and how quickly, any money judgments are ultimately paid.
Legal Fallout And Next Steps
Legal observers note that the losing side can seek post-trial relief and appeal, so this verdict may not be the final word. With overlapping contractor claims, liens and insurance disputes still unresolved, collecting on the award could take months or longer as courts sort out competing demands on the same pot of money.
For Hamilton, the ruling is another chapter in the complex redevelopment story at the Champion Mill site, one watched closely by contractors, insurers and city officials as the project pushes ahead. Spooky Nook and the developer involved are both expected to pursue further legal steps in the weeks to come, even as the sports complex keeps operating as one of the city's biggest draws.
