Local News in Brief : San Diego

A group of angry homeowners was awarded $4.25 million Tuesday by a Superior Court jury.

The money will be used for needed repairs to the Regency Villas condominiums in University City and for costs of relocating residents while the work is under way, said Gary Aguirre, attorney for the Regency Homeowners Assn., which filed the suit against the project developer, Medici Equities Fund I.

Aguirre had asked the jury for $8 million, but he said the lower amount “is in the range of what would be appropriate.”

Merv Thompson, a San Diego attorney who represented Medici Equities, said the verdict was not a surprise because the developer conceded liability going into trial.

“We admitted that we were responsible for the damages that existed on the site, so it was up to the jury to decide the amount to be awarded,” Thompson said, noting that the problems were the fault of subcontractors. “Considering what the plaintiffs could have won, this really isn’t a big disappointment.”

The 132-unit Regency Villas project, at Genesee Avenue and Governor Drive, was built in 1984 as a senior citizens community and has been plagued ever since, Aguirre said. Besides troubles caused by soil settlement, the homes had roof problems; plumbing defects, and leaky windows, balconies and garages, Aguirre said.

The verdict capped a 12-day trial before Judge Barbara Gamer.