Business briefs for August 27, 2001

Monday, Aug. 27, 2001 | 11:16 a.m.

Suit filed over Vegas land deal

A legal dispute has erupted between an Orange County, Calif.-based broker and real estate marketer C.B. Richard Ellis over a $407,721 brokerage fee for a Las Vegas land deal.

South Coast Builders Inc. sued C.B. Richard Ellis in Clark County District Court, alleging it breached an agreement to pay South Coast a 3 percent commission for introducing Furniture Mart of America as one of the buyers of a 61.9-acre property earmarked as part of a massive downtown Las Vegas revitalization effort. C.B. Richard Ellis declined comment on the allegations.

Settlement reached in construction defect lawsuit

A settlement has been reached in a construction defect lawsuit involving the homeowners association of a Henderson condominium complex, developer American Nevada Corp. and several subcontractors.

Scott Burdman, attorney for the 99-unit Village Green condominium homeowner association, declined comment on the terms of the settlement, citing a confidentiality clause.

Village Green Homeowners Association Inc. sued American Nevada in Clark County District Court in 1999, alleging defects in its common areas including landscaping, pools, walkways and driveways of 33 units of the project.

American Nevada then sued several subcontractors, alleging breach of contract.

The homeowners filed an amended complaint against American Nevada this year, alleging improper waterproofing and drainage that allegedly led to water damage and flooding. The homeowners said they were told the problems had been fixed, but alleged the repairs were "cosmetic" and"ineffective."

That lawsuit also named as defendants several former members of the project's homeowners association and Shirland Inc. and Ranell Corp., the latter two for their role in the alleged "negligent maintenance, repair and oversight" of the buildings and common areas.

Burdman, while declining to comment on individual defendants, said all the litigation has been settled.

American Nevada declined comment. American Nevada is owned by the Greenspun family, owner of the Las Vegas Sun.