Architect claims East St. Louis failed to pay $80k for apartment contract

A St. Louis architectural agency has filed suit against the Housing Authority of the City of East St. Louis and an apartment managing company, alleging it was not paid more than $80,000 for work it performed.

Michael Roth and Associates, Architects and Planners claims it agreed under contract signed on May 1, 2003, to provide all necessary architectural services for the design and construction of buildings known as Central State Apartments. In addition, it agreed to provide construction supervisory services, according to the complaint filed Jan. 12 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

As planned, Michael Roth and Associates performed the services for defendant the Housing Authority of East St. Louis, which owns the property, and co-defendant East Lake/Central City, which holds an 80-year lease to construct and manage the apartments, the suit states.

After it completed the work, Michael Roth and Associates sent a bill of $81,689.54 to the defendants for the job, plus a bill for $1,935.93 for reimbursable expenses, the complaint says. However, Michael Roth and Associates claim they still have not received any money for their work.

On May 15, 2007, Michael Roth and Associates filed a lien for $81,689.54 with the Recorder of Deeds of St. Clair County, but has since incurred additional expenses pursuant to its contract with the defendants of $19,000, according to the complaint.

In its lawsuit, Michael Roth and Associates is asking the court to order the St. Clair County sheriff to sell the Central City Apartments to satisfy the lien and to disburse the funds to the Housing Authority and to East Lake to the extent that the proceeds from the sale exceed the lien. In addition, it is seeking the money it says it is owed and other relief the court deems just.

William L. Berry of William Berry and Associates in Collinsville will be representing it.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-10.