After a years-long project to renovate underground parking garages at the Capitol, the state this week filed a lawsuit against a contractor and two other firms because of water leaks.
The Florida Department of Management Services filed the lawsuit in Leon County circuit court against Ajax Building Co., the construction manager on the project; Hoy + Stark Architects, P.A., which provided design services; and Henry Co., which supplied waterproofing materials.
The project involved renovations to the House and Senate parking garages.
The lawsuit, filed late Tuesday, said the project started in 2014 because of “concerns over aged waterproofing and long-term structural stress from heavy soils and landscaping.”
But the lawsuit said that after “substantial completion of the project, plaintiff (the Department of Management Services) began to observe water intrusion and signs of water damage throughout the property. Plaintiff began to receive reports of complaints from state officials who parked their vehicles at the property of water leaks and dripping onto their vehicles, as well as noticeable puddles of water throughout the property.”
The lawsuit alleges breach of contract by Ajax and the architectural firm and warranty breaches by Henry. The lawsuit seeks damages, though it does not detail a specific amount.
The Department of Management Services oversees state real-estate issues.