Spring Break
State Sues UConn Law School Library Contractors
Attorney General Announced $15 Million Suit
Timothy Bleasdale
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: News
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal announced Friday that his office is suing the contractors, architects, suppliers and other parties involved in the construction of the University of Connecticut Law School Library on the Hartford Campus.
Although constructed as "land mark building" intended to last at least 100 years, leaks and other problems appeared soon after the library opened in 1996. In the decade since, leaks have worsened, damaging interior surfaces, books, furniture and forcing the relocation of books, according to a press release from the Attorney General's office.
The suit, which seeks more than $15 million in damages and repair costs, alleges that the builders, designers, consultants, suppliers, inspectors and insurers, 15 defendants in all, knew or should have known about the flaws, according to the press release.
Blumenthal's 26-count action charges the defendants with breach of contract, product liability, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, negligent misrepresentation and intentional misrepresentation.
Last October the UConn Board of Trustees approved the spending of $19 million for repairs following a detailed forensic inspection of the library conducted by the engineering firm Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger, Inc. which revealed several areas of concern, including leaky, "improperly installed" windows and waterproofing and an anchoring system for the library's granite façade which could make the elements of the building "unstable" in an earthquake. The inspection also found further issues including rust on the building's frame and mold infestation within sheetrock and carpet.
Although constructed as "land mark building" intended to last at least 100 years, leaks and other problems appeared soon after the library opened in 1996. In the decade since, leaks have worsened, damaging interior surfaces, books, furniture and forcing the relocation of books, according to a press release from the Attorney General's office.
The suit, which seeks more than $15 million in damages and repair costs, alleges that the builders, designers, consultants, suppliers, inspectors and insurers, 15 defendants in all, knew or should have known about the flaws, according to the press release.
Blumenthal's 26-count action charges the defendants with breach of contract, product liability, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, negligent misrepresentation and intentional misrepresentation.
Last October the UConn Board of Trustees approved the spending of $19 million for repairs following a detailed forensic inspection of the library conducted by the engineering firm Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger, Inc. which revealed several areas of concern, including leaky, "improperly installed" windows and waterproofing and an anchoring system for the library's granite façade which could make the elements of the building "unstable" in an earthquake. The inspection also found further issues including rust on the building's frame and mold infestation within sheetrock and carpet.
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