Briefly

-- Paul Clinton

The California State Parks and developer Michael Freed officially have

parted ways.

The department wrote Freed a $2-million check Tuesday for the

development rights at Crystal Cove State Park. The move unwinds a more

than three-year deal between Freed and the state that called for him to

build a luxury resort on the beach.

Freed’s resort plan died after more than 600 locals crammed a Corona

del Mar auditorium in January to oppose the plan.

Grant money from the California Coastal Conservancy, approved March

22, made the buyout possible.

After conducting two audits of Freed’s financial records earlier this

month, state parks officials agreed to pay Freed the $2 million,

department spokesman Roy Stearns said.

The money covers expenses Freed incurred to develop resort plans and

the value of the development rights for the lifetime of the 60-year

concessionaire’s contract. Freed also agreed to waive any future legal

claims against the state.