Builder of justice center files notice with county

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002 | 9:56 a.m.

The construction company building the Regional Justice Center submitted a legal notice to Clark County commissioners claiming delays caused by defective specifications and poor oversight could cost the company $26 million.

The Notice of Claim is required by law if it is believed claims or lawsuits might be filed when the project is completed.

"The contractor is required by state law to submit the document to maintain their standing in the future if there is a claim," said Terry Murphy, A.F. Construction's consultant.

In the 19-page document Paul Faulkner, president of A.F. Construction, claims the county breached its contract, interfered with the project and provided inadequate designs.

He also accuses the county of being inexperienced with such large projects -- the same allegation county officials have made against A.F. Construction.

Faulkner argues that the construction manager was left with authority to handle problems at the site, but was never given decision-making authority.

"Instead, all the decision-making authority was left to the county, which had inadequate expertise to administer a project of this size and complexity," Faulkner wrote.

The Regional Justice Center is more than a year behind schedule and while initial contract was worth $123 million, the cost has skyrocketed to $290 million.

With hopes the county will recoup some funds in court, commissioners recently approved an additional $33 million to get the project done.