A group of Telegraph Hill neighbors has filed a lawsuit trying to stop the reopening of historic Julius’ Castle.

On Friday, KRON4 talked to people on all sides of the legal battle.

After being closed for 10 years, the historic restaurant perched high on Telegraph Hill had been inching closer to reopening until this new legal setback.

The planning commission allowed the new owner of the nearly 100-year-old hot spot an exemption so he could skip getting an environmental review. That move brought a lawsuit against the city from a neighborhood group called the Friends of Montgomery Street, alleging granting that exemption violated the California Environmental Quality Act.

One of those neighbors behind the suit told KRON4 by phone that he thinks city officials helping this restaurant reopen are more motivated by nostalgia than what’s right.

He for one does not look back on when Julius’ Castle was open during the “good old days.

The new owner, who says it has taken six years and millions of dollars to get the restaurant ready once again, says he has no plans to give up.

A spokesperson for the city attorney calls the lawsuit baseless and a classic case of nimbyism.

A hearing is set for November.

The new owner says he plans have Julius’ Castle back open sometime this year.

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