Palos Verdes Library Wins $975,000
from Engineering Consultant
An international engineering consultant has agreed to settle a lawsuit by the Palos Verdes (Calif.) Library District for almost $1 million, but the district still faces a number of legal battles stemming from alleged deficiencies in the extensive renovation of its new Peninsula Center Library in Rolling Hills Estates.
The London-based Ove Arup firm will pay the district $975,000 for alleged deficiencies in the lighting, drainage, and ventilation systems and for alleged structural design flaws, according to the September 5 Torrance Daily Breeze. The $20.5-million building, which detractors dubbed the “Taj Mahal” for its artwork, furniture, and other features, has been controversial since it was rededicated five years ago.
The largest remaining suit—for $22.5 million—is against the main contractor, San Fernando–based Bernard Brothers. The trial in that case is scheduled to start November 13, but district Trustee Rob Katherman thinks the Ove Arup settlement will lead Bernard Brothers to be “very serious” about settling out of court.
The district had sought $1.4 million from Ove Arup. District officials said most of the settlement will be spent on legal expenses related to the main suit, which have reached about $3 million.
Posted September 11, 2000.
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