Former owners of Iowa City's Fieldhouse bar sued by landlord

The owners of  the largest Iowa City bar that closed in January after the city passed its controversial under-21 law in 2010 are now being sued by the building's landlord for back rent and other damages.

Field House Investments LLC says the Field House bar at 111 E. College St. was under lease until Nov. 14, 2012. In a civil suit filed Jan. 24, 2011, Field House Investments alleges that the terms of the lease were violated by Iowa City Fieldhouse Co. and four individual co-defendants.

The property owner claims the bar violated the lease by failing to stay current on rent and taxes, failed to furnish and maintain a sprinkler system, failing to repair damage, and removing property that was subject to a lien of the landlord. It also alleges the owners failed to pay utilities.

The lawsuit does not specify the damages it is seeking, but says the tenant agreed to pay the landlord a late fee of $400 per month and interest on delinquent amounts at 18 percent annually.

The individual co-defendants named as guarantors on the lease in the lawsuit in Johnson County District Court were David J. Carey, Joseph R. Denny, Michelle Peyton and Colin Caffrey.

Carey, president of Iowa City Fieldhouse Co., declined to comment on the claims.