TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hangar Fight Goes To Court

ADVERTISEMENT

By LAURA KINSLER

lkinsler@tampatrib.com

Published: February 11, 2009

ZEPHYRHILLS - A dispute between the city and airport contractor David Carr appears to be heading for court.

The Zephyrhills City Council voted unanimously on Monday to reject a claim from Carr for $160,500 for losses he incurred because of construction delays in the airport's T-hangar project.

"We have every intention of suing," Carr said.

The project began in January 2008 and was supposed to cost $2.7 million. The project was complicated with delays and cost overruns while the city's fire marshal and airport director butted heads over the design. In March, the fire marshal stopped work on the project, saying the design didn't meet state fire codes.

Carr contends that his employees and equipment were kept idle on the jobsite for close to seven months before the city issued a $100,000 change order in October.

But City Attorney Joe Poblick advised council members that the delays did not prevent Carr from completing his work within the 300 days allowed in the contract.

"I've done quite a bit of research into this matter," Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson said. "I think it's pretty clear we didn't go over the date in the contract."

Mayor Cliff McDuffie said Carr had no business complaining about how long it took the city to approve the change order. "Yes, it did take that long - you can't do something like that overnight," he said.

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 779-4617.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT