Signal Hill School District 181 filed suit against the building contractors of its 10-year-old junior high school for water leaks in the gymasium.
According to a lawsuit filed May 17 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, the school district alleges that Vogt & Associates, PB Booker & Associates, Holland Construction Services, Von Alst Holding Company and United States Gypsum Company bear responsibility for $300,000 worth of damages incurred at the school constructed in 1996.
Vogt & Associates dissolved in 1995 and was acquired by PB Booker & Associates. Holland and Von Alst provided construction services; U.S. Gypsum is the insulation manufacturer.
Represented by Belleville attorney Timothy J. Bates, (former) school superintendent Gina Segobiano claims evidence of water infiltration was discovered in the gymnasium on May 20, 2002.
"That after comprehensive review, it was determined that the exterior walls were defective in that they permitted water to pass through from the exterior, allowed water to be wicked up from the ground and otherwise permitted or allowed water to enter into the interior of the building," the complaint states.
The lawsuit alleges that the architects and construction companies breached contractual obligations to either design an appropriate exterior finish, review shop drawings regarding the exterior finish system or determine contractor compliance with project plans and specifications.
It alleges that U.S. Gypsum Co. breached warranty because its insulation material failed to "provide protection to the interior of the premises."
In addition to compensatory and consequential damages, Signal Hill School District is seeking costs of the suit.
Signal Hill School sues for junior high design flaws
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