Update - Settlement finally reached in leaky-courthouse lawsuits

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Settlement finally reached in leaky-courthouse lawsuits

Middlesex liked its chances in front of a jury but took a sure

payment of $100,000.

By MATT SABO | 247-4712

May 10, 2008

Daily Press*

http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/dp-

local_mxcourthouse_0510may10,0,1764066.story?track=rss

MIDDLESEX - A legal spat between Middlesex County and a Lynchburg

architect over leaks and mold in the new courthouse has come to an

end with an agreement that leaves the county in line for $100,000.

The firm of Wiley & designed the courthouse in Saluda that

was supposed to open in September 2005 but was plagued by structural

defects. Middlesex was under a court order to build a new courthouse

to replace the 150-year-old courthouse that lacked sufficient space

and modern safety features.

Middlesex County filed a $500,000 lawsuit against Wiley & on

Oct. 3, 2006, according to documents in Middlesex Circuit Court. The

county sought the money to cover the costs of repairs to the

building.

Wiley & responded with a $200,000 lawsuit against Middlesex,

claiming the firm fulfilled the obligations of its contract and was

not fully compensated.

The Middlesex Board of Supervisors agreed to the settlement Tuesday

at its regular meeting. The settlement calls for Wiley & to

submit a $100,000 check to Middlesex by May 15.

Although finished in September 2005, the courthouse didn't open for

business until two years later due to recurring leaks and water

damage in the basement and first floor.

Middlesex County Administrator Charlie Culley said the money from

Wiley & will help cover costs well in excess of $100,000

incurred by the county to make repairs to the courthouse so it can

be occupied.

" It's not a windfall, " Culley said. " It will pay back work we've

already done. "

Culley said the county is pleased with the settlement.

" We really felt we would have won in front of a jury, " he said.

But legal fees would have " eaten us up, " Culley said.

Construction of the courthouse cost $6 million.

The settlement also calls for both sides to not make any disparaging

remarks about the other.