Amarillo Civic Center Judgement

Wednesday, judges affirmed the 2022 trial judgment in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex project lawsuit between the City of Amarillo and local businessman Alex Fairly, following both the city and Fairly filing appeals.

In released court documents, the Seventh Court of Appeals in Amarillo agreed with the decision of retired Judge William Sowder in October 2022, in which he ruled in Potter County District Court in favor of Fairly.

Sowder ruled that the city could not use $260 million in anticipation notes to fund the Civic Center Complex project after the city violated the Texas Open Meetings Act, along with the Texas Government Code, the Texas Tax Code, and the state’s constitution. Further, Sowder ruled that the city would be required to pay Fairly’s legal fees.