In re Nickels Midway Pier, LLC

332 B.R. 262, 55 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 236, 2005 Bankr. LEXIS 2082, 45 Bankr. Ct. Dec. (CRR) 163, 2005 WL 2839988
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, D. New Jersey
DecidedSeptember 1, 2005
DocketNo. 03-49462(GMB)
StatusPublished

This text of 332 B.R. 262 (In re Nickels Midway Pier, LLC) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Court, D. New Jersey primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In re Nickels Midway Pier, LLC, 332 B.R. 262, 55 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 236, 2005 Bankr. LEXIS 2082, 45 Bankr. Ct. Dec. (CRR) 163, 2005 WL 2839988 (N.J. 2005).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

GLORIA M. BURNS, Bankruptcy Judge.

Before the Court is Debtor, Nickels Midway Pier, LLC’s (“Nickels”), motion to reject executory contract, pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 365. A hearing on this matter was held on August 9, 2005.

The Court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1334(a) [266]*266and 157(a), and the Standing Order of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey dated July 23, 1984, referring all bankruptcy cases to the bankruptcy court. This is a core proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2)(A). Venue of this case is proper in the District of New Jersey pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409. The following shall constitute findings of fact and conclusions of law in accordance with Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 7052.

I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

Nickels Midway Pier, LLC is in the business of purchasing, leasing and managing real estate. Nickels owns two pieces of property in Wildwood, New Jersey. At issue in this case is a pier (the “Pier”) located at 3500 Boardwalk, Wildwood, New Jersey. Nickels purchased the Pier in November of 1976. In 1999, Nickels and Wild Waves, LLC (“Wild Waves”) entered into a written lease agreement, whereby Wild Waves would lease 70 percent of the Pier for the purpose of constructing and operating a water park. Wild Waves asserted that the written lease was part of an agreement to sell the pier. Wild Waves constructed new concrete foundations and made other improvements to the property for the purpose of constructing a water park. Wild Waves has been operating its water park on the Pier since 2000. On the remaining 30 percent of the Pier are located several buildings and kiosks leased to a variety of tenants on the boardwalk.

The parties disagreed on the issue of whether Nickels had agreed to sell the Pier to Wild Waves. Wild Waves asserted that Nickels agreed orally to sell it the Pier, while Nickels argued that it never entered into an agreement to sell the Pier and that Wild Waves merely held a leasehold interest in the portion of the Pier occupied by the water park. Neither party completed performance of the alleged sale contract; i.e., Wild Waves did not furnish a deposit or the purchase price, and Nickels did not deliver the deed.

In 2001, Nickels initiated a civil action in the New Jersey Superior Court, Chancery Division and Wild Waves filed counterclaims prior to the filing of the bankruptcy. Wild Waves’ counterclaim sought a determination that an oral contract for the sale of the Pier existed between the parties. A trial in that matter commenced on December 3, 2003.

On December 8, 2003, Nickels filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy and on December 16, 2003, Nickels filed a motion to reject its lease with Wild Waves, pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 365. Subsequently, Wild Waves filed a motion for stay relief for the purpose of pursuing its counterclaim in the Chancery Division. On February 20, 2004, the Court granted Wild Waves’ motion for stay relief and reserved its decision on whether Nickels could reject Wild Waves’ lease until resolution of the state court litigation.

The parties tried their state court litigation before Judge Seltzer in the Chancery Division on December 3 and 4, 2004, February 7, 8, and 9, 2005, and on March 1, 2005. On April 25, 2005, Judge Seltzer entered an order declaring that

Nickels Midway Pier, LLC and Wild Waves, LLC entered into a binding Agreement respecting Nickels Midway Pier, pursuant to which Wild Waves was to lease a portion of the Pier pursuant to a Business Lease dated May 15, 1999 and then to purchase the entire Pier in accordance with the terms contained in a written (but unexecuted) Agreement of Sale accepted into evidence as D-21.

Judge Seltzer determined the purchase price of the Pier in 2003 to be $5,500,000.00. Currently, Nickels has received offers to purchase the Pier for [267]*267$15,000,000.00 and $15,400,000.00, which included various conditions.

Upon resolution of the state court litigation, on July 25, 2005, the debtor sought to proceed with its motion to reject the exec-utory contract filed December 16, 2003. Wild Waves filed an objection to Nickels’ motion to reject and Nickels filed a response thereto on August 1, 2005. On July 28, 2005, the Court held a pre-trial conference with the parties, at which it determined that it would consider the following issues at the August 9, 2005 hearing: (1) whether the Agreement of Sale (the “Agreement”) was an executory contract; (2) if so, whether Nickels satisfied the business judgment test when it decided to reject the Agreement; and (3) if Nickels may reject the Agreement, whether Wild Waves is “in possession” of the Pier under § 365(i). A plenary hearing was held in this matter on August 9, 2005, at which time the Court directed the parties to submit post-trial briefs by August 11, 2005. The parties asserted the following arguments in support of their respective positions.

A. Nickels ’ Arguments

First, Nickels argues that Wild Waves is judicially estopped from asserting that the Agreement was terminated pre-petition, and therefore nonexecutory. Second, Nickels argues that the Agreement is ex-ecutory, because substantial performance remains due by both parties. Specifically, Nickels argues any performance rendered by Wild Waves was performed in accordance with its obligations under the lease. Third, Nickels argues that rejection is required in order for Nickels to exercise its best business judgment, because it may obtain a significantly higher sale price from a third party, and because Wild Waves’ damage calculations are inaccurate. Finally, Nickels argues that Wild Waves is not a purchaser “in possession” under § 365(i), and thus, is not entitled to the protections set forth in that section. Specifically, Nickels argues that Wild Waves occupies only 70 percent of the Pier, and that it has no connection with the remaining, more valuable 30 percent of the Pier. Nickels also argues that the fact that the water park may be dismantled and moved speaks against permanence and possession.

B. Wild Waves ’ Arguments

First, Wild Waves argues that the Agreement is not executory, because (a) the Agreement was terminated pre-petition as a result of Nickels’ anticipatory repudiation thereof, and (b) Wild Waves’ substantial performance of the Agreement renders it nonexecutory.

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Bluebook (online)
332 B.R. 262, 55 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 236, 2005 Bankr. LEXIS 2082, 45 Bankr. Ct. Dec. (CRR) 163, 2005 WL 2839988, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-nickels-midway-pier-llc-njb-2005.