Quinlan ISD files suit against construction company

By JANELLE STECKLEIN
Herald-Banner Staff

November 01, 2007 12:52 am

— Quinlan Independent School District officials filed a lawsuit last week in the 354th District Court against a Richardson-based construction company claiming the district’s high school was defectively constructed.
According to court papers, QISD officials filed suit against the construction company Dalmac Construction Co. that built Ford High School for breach of contract, negligence and breach of warranty.
“The district (will) show that the defendant constructed a defective school building in a manner which is not acceptable,” the lawsuit says.
Dalmac construction has not yet filed a response to the suit and did not return a call seeking comment Wednesday. It is unclear at this time who is representing the construction company.
According to the suit, which was filed on behalf of the school district by Austin lawfirm Powell and Leon, LLP, the district has faced a plethora of problems ranging from sewage issues, to cracks to a shifting foundation since the school first opened in August 1999.
“In the following months, building movement continued,” the lawsuit reads. “Interior cracks began showing in gypsum wall board finishes and in concrete masonry units. Interior doors could not be closed because of racking door frames.”
According the lawsuit, the district had to adjust doors and frames and fix lock mechanisms due to the shifting.
During the 2005-06 school year, officials say they were forced to evacuate certain portions of Ford High School because of strong sewer gas odors, the lawsuit claims.
According to the suit, an inspection and evaluation found that foundation heave is the primary distress mechanism behind the structures problems.
The district is seeking unspecified damages as well as attorneys’ fees.