Stress levels were considerably lower at the meeting held the following week, when the BRA announced that Ops-Core would find new space. The audience cheered, and the meeting was adjourned in an hour. While smiling artists poured out of the room, I overheard a tense discussion between Keen Development president Dan Taylor and an attorney representing Gentex.
"We're not moving unless this is resolved," the attorney said. "My guys are not paying two rents."
"We're not going to be collecting no rents," Taylor replied.
As Taylor hustled out the door, I approached the attorney, told him I had overheard his conversation, and asked his name and role. "Why, are you a reporter?" he asked. I confirmed I was with the Phoenix. "I'm the lawyer representing Gentex," he said.
A Gentex representative quickly approached, and asked if I was responsible for the Phoenix's earlier coverage. When I said I was, she glowered at me.
"Those posts were so slanted, I'm not sure that we have anything to say to you. Come on, let's go," she said, pulling the attorney away.
And so, this battle of Midway ended, for now, with an apparent Ops-Core/Gentex retreat. Should the contractor consider continuing its fight against Keen, it might be wise to bring some of those helmets — or at least a few angry artists.
Eugenia Williamson can be reached at ewilliamson@phx.com.
