Appeals Court Rejects Rossford Plea

An Ohio appeals court rejected Perrysburg Township’s attempt to get back a $5 million loan it gave to the Rossford Arena Amphitheatre Authority in 1999 to build a shed and pro hockey arena that never happened.

The 6th District Court of Appeals ruled the $5 million was referred to as an "investment and not a short-term, collateralized business loan" or "seed money" by both parties involved in the failed Toledo-area project and is considered a security under the law, according to the Toledo Blade.

Township attorney John Donahue was uncertain if Perrysburg officials would appeal the ruling, the paper said.

The project broke ground in 1999 thanks to $2.4 million in temporary financing from Perrysburg officials and a state carpenters union. But work stopped shortly after the RAAA failed to get affordable financing and it all went downhill from there.

The project was eventually scrapped, with debts of about $18 million left unpaid by the RAAA as well as a lawsuit.

The land where the partially built amphitheatre stood was sold in a 2006 sheriff’s auction.