Hotel sues over construction of ballroom area after defective beam placed structure at point of near collapse

GRETNA – A local hotel is suing a number of businesses that were involved in designing and constructing a ballroom that was later found to have serious structural deficiencies.

2929 Williams Blvd. LLC filed suit against Trimark Constructors LLC, Kyle Associates LLC and Avengo Bailey & Associates Inc. in the 24th Judicial District Court on Nov. 21.

2929 Williams Blvd. LLC is the owner of Crowne Plaza New Orleans Airport in Kenner where from 1974 until 2007 the hotel under its former owner maintained and operated an interior space housing an indoor pool and whirlpool area. The plaintiff purchased the hotel on Dec. 20, 2006 and began to repair damage to the property from Hurricane Katrina in 2007 and convert the area into a multifunction ballroom that was to be done by the defendants.

2929 Williams Blvd. LLC asserts that the project was to include air walls that could be placed and removed to subdivide the larger room into smaller areas.

The plaintiff claims the project was certified as substantially complete on Nov. 21, 2008 and all parties were paid in full for their work. However, 2929 Williams Blvd. LLC alleges that on Sept. 27, 2011 hotel staff noticed that the air walls began to sag considerably and that the ceiling beams installed by the defendants also had begun to sag and repairs were needed. The plaintiffs assert that after waiting for a period for the defendants to evaluate the situation they hired their own structural engineer who found one of the structure’s main beams had failed completely and the building was in danger of collapse. 2929 Williams Blvd. LLC claims it immediately hired a contractor to make necessary repairs and demanded reimbursement from the defendants that they have not received.

The defendant is accused of breach of contract, breach of warranty, negligence, defective and defective design and construction.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for cost and expense of corrective work, lost revenue and judicial interest.

2929 Williams Blvd. LLC is represented by Michael R.C. Riess of New Orleans-based Kingsmill Riess LLC.

The case has been assigned to Division N Judge Stephen D. Enright Jr.

Case no. 733-160.