Three subcontractors involved in the construction of the Obama Presidential Center have filed legal claims totaling nearly $900,000, citing unpaid work. The claims include mechanics liens against the property, which is a legal tool used to recover unpaid construction costs. The subcontractors allege they are owed payments for work related to structural steel, excavation, concrete, and gymnasium flooring at the Center's Home Court facility, which is 60,000 square feet in size.
Area Erectors, a structural steel subcontractor, is claiming approximately $620,000, while CSI 3000, an excavation and concrete subcontractor and the only Minority Business Enterprise among the three, is seeking about $236,000. Floors Incorporated, specializing in gymnasium flooring, claims it is owed nearly $25,000.
These claims are distinct from previous payment disputes reported, which primarily involved work on the main campus. The Home Court facility is currently hosting WNBA All-Star Weekend events, attended by former President Barack Obama.
The Obama Foundation oversees the construction of the Center and has engaged Lakeside Alliance as the primary construction manager. Home Court was constructed under a separate contract managed by Elevate Design Builders, a joint venture led by minority-owned BOWA Construction.
The mechanics liens do not determine which entity is responsible for the payments in dispute. The claims were recorded around the time of the Center's opening on June 19, and the Cook County Clerk's Office indicated there is typically a delay of four to six weeks before such documents appear in its online records.
Additionally, three previously unreported mechanics liens totaling about $557,000 have been identified, involving other parts of the Obama Presidential Center project. These additional claims involve subcontractors and suppliers seeking payment for various services and materials.
Lakeside Alliance stated that the project involved multiple structures and numerous trade partners, and that they are committed to resolving outstanding matters. Previous reports indicated that several Black subcontractors claimed they were owed millions for their work on the project, with some filing for bankruptcy protection due to financial difficulties related to unpaid invoices.