In June of 2020, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice helped unveil new tenants being welcomed into the WestRidge Corporate Park, a business and retail center in Morgantown WV. But as of August, two contractors that helped construct the property are still seeking a combined $907.8K in mechanics lien claims.
Since June 3, 2020, the two unpaid work claims have been filed against the project’s general contractor in WestRidge Commons Development, LLC, an affiliate of the property. A mechanics lien is used to force payment to unpaid contractors by preventing the property’s refinancing or sale until the claim has been settled.
The entire WestRidge development spans 1,000 acres and includes over 500,000 square feet of office space, 400,000 square feet of shopping and dining space, and five major national hotels.
Each unpaid work claim was processed with the Monongalia County clerk’s office pursuant to West Virginia statutes governing mechanics liens.
2 Contractors Owed $907.8K at WestRidge Project
The two contractors are allegedly owed a total of $907,861.98 for work taking place at the WestRidge business and retail center, located at 100 Swiss Pine Way, Morgantown, WV.
According to the lien affidavits, the largest lien was filed by subcontractor Marks-Landau Construction, LLC on August 27, 2020, against WestRidge Commons Development, LLC.
The subcontractor claims they are still owed $842,559.14, which accounts for 93% of the total funds withheld from the two combined lien claims. Marks-Landau Construction last serviced the job site on
On June 3, 2020 – two days prior to Gov. Jim Justice’s appearance at the WestRidge development – subcontractor Graybar Electric Company filed their lien claim against the property. According to the lien affidavit, the subcontractor is still owed $65,302.84 from WestRidge Commons Development, LLC.
Graybar Electric Company’s lien affidavit also states that the subcontractor has been owed payment since December of 2019 from the general contractor.
WestRidge: A 1,000-Acre Multi-Purpose Development
The WestRidge business and retail center currently houses 10 different businesses. In June when West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice visited the property, tech giant Leidos was unveiling their new regional headquarters at the property.
Another business revealed during the governor’s visit was for a 170,000-square-foot Menards hardware store. Construction of the new Menards is set to be completed at the WestRidge in 2021.
Other well-known tenants at WestRidge include a FedEx distribution center, Bass Pro Shops, Dunkin’, and a 187-room Drury Hotel that is currently being planned for construction.
Part of the WestRidge business and retail center that is still under construction is the development of office space. Once completed, WestRidge will include three multi-tenant buildings that are each 45,000 square feet.
During his visit to WestRidge on June 5, 2020, Gov. Jim Justice noted West Virginia’s growth in developments with developments in public and private partnerships.
“West Virginia is becoming the diamond in the rough that people missed,” said Gov. Jim Justice during his visit in June. “When you put the blocks together, business-wise, they fit. We still have lots of challenges, but we’re getting better.”