COSTA MESA : Carpenter Sues City for $10,774
A carpenter has filed a lawsuit against the city for $10,774 he says is owed him for helping build the city’s newest fire station.
The suit by Thomas W. Merrick seeks payment for framing work done at the station at 3350 Sakioka Drive.
The station, which cost $3.4 million to build and equip, opened in August. The station was designed in consultation with firefighters and features a blue glass atrium and white tilewalls.
Merrick says in his suit, filed last week, that he was not fully paid by Edwards Group, the lead contractor, and now wants payment from the city.
Edwards Group went bankrupt and did not pay all the subcontractors, according to Jim Richey, the Fire Department division chief who oversaw the project.
City Atty. Thomas Kathe called Merrick’s lawsuit “meritless” and said the city has already settled with the subcontractors. Merrick said he received only half the money owed him.
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