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GCS files lawsuits against contractors for drilling gaffe

Damage to 12-inch water main near Cove Plaza costs city $236,760

By Nick Blank Staff Writer
Posted 6/26/19

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – A matter of inches can make all the difference, particularly when drilling on a 12-inch waterline near a commercial hub.

The city of Green Cove Springs is three months into …

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GCS files lawsuits against contractors for drilling gaffe

Damage to 12-inch water main near Cove Plaza costs city $236,760


Posted

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – A matter of inches can make all the difference, particularly when drilling on a 12-inch waterline near a commercial hub.

The city of Green Cove Springs is three months into a lawsuit against multiple contractors, seeking damages for drilling that occurred the summer of 2017.

After acquiring an FDOT permit, Tower Cloud, Inc. subcontracted Young’s Communications Co. for the work, which subcontracted Selectek Communications Group, who in turn contracted We Drill It, Inc. All were named in the lawsuit.

According to a complaint filed by the city last March, We Drill It Inc. drilled into the water line near U.S. 17 and State Road 16 intersection for a fiber optic cable.

The drilling took out water for Cove Plaza, which houses Larry’s Giant Subs, Fred’s and other outlets, along with the Speedway gas station across the street. The city’s Assistant Water/Wastewater Director, Scott Schultz, said 20 businesses and 200 homes were affected.

It took six hours to fix, Schultz said, and the damages totaled $236,760.

“They drilled directly into the side of a 12-inch water main,” Schultz said. “When that happens, a tremendous amount of water comes out.”

The complaint said the companies originally agreed to cover the damages, but then refused. City Attorney Jim Arnold said the city had received offers from the defendants, but they weren’t worth bringing before city council members.

Arnold said he didn’t expect the suit to go to trial. The city hired Jacksonville attorney Albert Franson to helm the city’s case.

“The city, in my opinion, doesn’t have any liability. We didn’t do anything wrong,” Arnold said. “[The offers] aren’t close to what we spent on this. We haven’t accepted any of those offers.”

Arnold said he thought the case was close to being resolved. In April, Young’s Communications Co. filed a 28-page cross-claim, blaming its co-defendants for a breach of contract.

“Young’s [Communications] is wholly without fault for the work performed by We Drill It, having independently contracted with Selectek to perform the work,” the cross-claim stated.

When contacted through the companies’ attorneys, Selectek Communications Group and Young’s Communications Co. declined to comment.