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Beautification Project Turns Ugly; Town Seeks Legal Advice
May 6, 2009
A highway beautification project in Century has turned ugly, with the contractor apparently failing to pay subcontractors. In addition, some of the warrantied plants are not growing or are simply dead.
The highway beautification contract was awarded to Garden World of Holiday in Land O’Lakes, Florida, according to Mayor Freddie McCall. The contractor has been paid just a few thousand dollars of the total $68,000 state grant the town received for the beautification project, the mayor said, and the work to landscape at the town limits and other locations along Highway 29/North Century Boulevard is mostly done, and Garden World has requested payment.
But McCall said subcontractors that did work on the project for Garden World have not been paid, according to McCall. He said some have even threatened to put a lien on town property if they are not paid.
McCall said the town could be liable to pay the subcontractors, so he wants to pay them directly and then pay any balance to Garden World. He said he was advised by the Florida Department of Transportation to not pay Garden World at this point.
The Century Town Council voted 3-1, with Councilman Henry Hawkins casting the lone no vote, to have town attorney Matt Dannheisser determine what steps that town should take next.
McCall said that some of the grasses and other plants installed by the company are not growing, and some are dead. He said the plants had a warranty, and that he has talked to the company that bonded Garden World on the bid about solving the problem since he is unable to get a response from Garden World.
Pictured above: The beautification project work on North Century Boulevard at the Florida/Alabama state line. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
8 Responses to “Beautification Project Turns Ugly; Town Seeks Legal Advice”
Holley COW! Why couldn’t the town go a little bit futher to get a landcaping company, Lord knows there are none up at this in of the state. HA!
Talk about bringing trouble to your own doorstep. Huh, Our town guy’s have a great nak for this.
Are they going to at least granrantee the plants and replace the dead ones?
GEE
Why don’t they try to sue them like they do everybody else, they might get 200,000.00. That would buy alot of plants.
Pollicies and Procedures what is that??? That is the very reason the City Folk think they can come in and take over the constant verification the people in charge are clueless. Things are changing in every arena; the people we choose to represent the communities should take their responsibilites very seriously and not adhere to the “good ole boy” mentality. Run your business/town/whatever just like you are in charge of Exxon. Small doesn’t mean the rules don’t apply. For the idots who think some of the extra paperwork is unnessary, make them sign a contract to accept full responsibiliy for any lawsuits that may insue or better yet ask them to step down and replace them with informed personnel who are willing to keep up with the ever changing world.
As a former employee of Garden World, which is no longer operating in any capacity for 2 weeks now, I would like to say they still owe me for two weeks wages.
Mom,
You are correct, I missed that. That’s what bonding is for – to complete the job and pay the subs. That should prevent the leins. It is still a hassel to call a bond though.
Mr. Moran — the article says the mayor talked to the company that posted the bond.
Did the contractor present or post a bond to assure completion and to cover the warrantee? Was a credit & background check done? What are the Town’s Policy and Procedures?
IM CURIOUS AS TO WHY A COMPANY FROM HOLIDAY FLORIDA IS THE THE CONTRACTOR IN CENTURY WERE THEY HIRED THROUGH THE STATE OR TOWN OF CENTURY?I KNOW BETWEEN HERE AND PENSACOLA THERE ARE SEVERAL REPUTABLE LANDSCAPE COMPANIES CAPABLE OF PERFORMING MOST COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE JOBS..AND COULD HAVE AT LEAST SUPPLIED LIVE PLANTS .WOULD SOMEBODY PLEASE CLEAR UP THIS QUAGMIRE FOR ME.? ITS KEEPING ME UP.A.W. THOMPSON MOSQUITO FLATS FLORIDA.