Myrtle Beach’s New $20 Million Complex Faces Funding Dispute as Local Contractor Files Lawsuit

Myrtle Beach Residents Headed for a Major Complex Disruption

In the sunny area of Carolina Forest, just a stone’s throw away from Myrtle Beach, excitement is brewing and trouble is stirring all at once! A new $20 million complex is set to bring a lot of changes, but not everyone is feeling the love. Local subcontractor Carolina Utilities and Sitework, based in Conway, is waving a red flag claiming they’ve been left high and dry for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Talk about a wild ride!

What’s in the New Central Coast Complex?

So, what’s the big deal? This shiny new structure is going to feature a sprawling 43,000 square feet of space that will house a county police precinct, administration offices, and even a magistrate court. That’s a lot of building action going on! But not everything is going according to plan. The general contractor for this ambitious project, Cooper Tacia out of Raleigh, North Carolina, has left Carolina Utilities and Sitework in a bit of a financial pickle.

The Cost of Change

Vice President of Carolina Utilities and Sitework, Lance Tyler, shared with us that they are owed almost $400,000. That’s no chump change! Their troubles began back in February when they started on the site. When they were working on hauling dirt for the project, they hit a snag. Seems like there was a bit of a mix-up with the amounts they had to work with, and they ended up spending nearly $90,000 just to bring in more dirt!

Promises, Promises

Tyler voiced his frustrations, saying, “We’ve gotten nothing but excuses. It’s honestly offensive.” It’s hard to believe that after putting in all that work and cash, they’ve faced nothing but silence. They haven’t seen a payment in over three months, which definitely isn’t how you run a business!

Reaching Out for Support

It gets even murkier. Brandon Lawrence, the President of Carolina Utilities and Sitework, mentioned they’ve tried reaching out to Horry County about the situation with no luck. “We’ve sent multiple demands and requests for meetings but have been completely shut out,” he says. Talk about feeling ignored! Meanwhile, construction continues, which has left Lawrence feeling even more frustrated.

County’s Response

When asked about the ongoing issues between Tacia and Carolina Utilities, a county spokesperson explained that the county operates under strict procurement processes. They confirmed they’re keeping an eye on things, but the contractor holds the reins when it comes to hiring subcontractors. They assured residents that they value the contributions of all parties involved and want to make sure that everything gets sorted out justly.

Legal Action on the Horizon

As of now, both companies are locked in a dispute, and things have moved into the legal arena. On September 4, Carolina Utilities filed a lawsuit against Cooper Tacia, indicating just how serious the situation has gotten. That’s a heavy cloud hanging over such a high-stakes project!

What’s Next?

We’ll be keeping an ear to the ground for any updates as this drama unfolds. For Myrtle Beach locals, it’s just another lesson in how construction projects can sometimes go awry. With any luck, all parties involved will find a solution soon because nobody wants to be out of pocket while watching a shiny new complex rise in their neighborhood!

So, whether you’re taking a stroll by the beach or grabbing lunch at your favorite cafe, just remember—sometimes, big projects come with big bumps in the road!