Jersey City suing developer of Summit Avenue municipal courthouse, claiming the building is in 'a state of collapse'

December 05, 2011, 2:49 PM
By Terrence T. McDonald/The Jersey Journal

The City of Jersey City is suing the developer of the $23 million municipal Justice Complex on Summit Avenue, which the city claims was so poorly constructed that the building?s foundation is ?in a state of collapse? that puts the public ?at risk of bodily harm.?

The complex, which was completed in May 2001, houses the municipal court. The city, along with the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency, accuses the developer and a number of architects, engineers and subcontractors of negligence, breach of contract, consumer fraud and 12 other counts.

The alleged negligence extends to the ?building, building foundation, interior and exterior stairs, interior and exterior walkways, interior and exterior railings,? and more, according to the complaint, filed in June.

?The structural foundation of the project and all of its elements are now in a state of collapse,? the complaint reads.

The suit came to light two weeks ago, when the City Council hired city-based Helena Ruman Architects for $20,000 to analyze construction defects at the complex.

Jersey City residents visiting the complex who were told of the city?s allegations expressed concern that the building is still open to the public.

?You have people coming in and out every day for court,? said Wendy Davis, who was fighting an alleged motor-vehicle violation, adding that the building ?is not even that old.?

Orlando Garcia, 49, said he used to work at the historic Brennan Court House, and that century-old building is superior to the 10-year-old Justice Complex. Garcia pointed to the building?s handicapped ramp, which has a buckled, uneven surface.

?It used to be a handicapped ramp. Now it looks like stairs,? he said. ?They need to condemn this building."

City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said residents should not be concerned about the Justice Complex?s structural soundness. The Department of Public Works repaired the front stairs recently, and other repairs will be completed after winter ends, Morrill said.

?The court is safe for occupancy, but we will not comment further because of the ongoing litigation,? she said.

Site developer Gerald Steiglitz, of Miami Beach, did not return a phone call requesting comment. DMR Architects of Hasbrouck Heights, which designed the Summit Avenue facility and is named as a defendant, contend they have no responsibility for any alleged defects at the site.

?The issues of alleged concern identified by the City and the JCRA appear to be limited to the sidewalks, planters and steps, project components for which DMR Architects was not responsible,? said DMR counsel Charles H. Sarlo. ?DMR Architects neither retained nor had responsibility or control over the site contractor.?