As fan-favorite Texas-based convenience store chain Buc-ee’s continues to expand its reach across America, one subcontractor in Leeds, Alabama claims they are owed $1.6 million for their part in constructing a new Buc-ee’s facility.
The 50,000-square-foot Leeds location — which will become Alabama’s second Buc-ee’s — is now tangled in a mechanics lien claim just months shy of the facility’s projected grand opening.
Alabama-based subcontractor MSE Building Company filed a mechanics lien against general contractor The Stewart Perry Company on September 23, 2020, and on October 5, the lien was bonded off.
MSE Building Company’s unpaid work claim was bonded off in October, removing the lien from the property. As a result, the claimant subcontractor’s lien became a bond claim, which is a claim against a surety bond instead of the property. This is not the same as a lien being released, or “satisified.”
Prior to being bonded off, the subcontractor’s $1.6 million mechanics lien was enforced against the property itself. A mechanics lien in construction is typically filed when a contractor is left unpaid for their work. When active and not bonded off, the lien can hinder a property title.
Both the mechanics lien claim and bond claim were processed with the Jefferson County clerk’s office.
$1.6M lien bonded off at Buc-ee’s in Leeds, AL
Subcontractor MSE Building Company’s original lien filing from September 23, 2020, was valued at $1,615,350.40 for work taking place at the unfinished Buc-ee’s in Leeds, which will be located at 6910 Coosa Avenue, Leeds, AL along Interstate 20 off Exit 140.
After bonding off the lien claim in October, MSE Building Company’s resulting bond claim now involves surety Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company, according to Jefferson County court documents.
New Buc-ee’s in Leeds to open in early 2021
Following construction delays caused by inclement weather, the new Buc-ee’s in Leeds, AL is now set to open in the first quarter of 2021.
On September 23, 2020, a Buc-ee’s company spokesman told AL.com that they anticipate the 100-pump gas station and convenience store will open by early quarter one of 2021.
As of July 2020, Leeds Mayor David Miller expected the facility would open as early as January 2021. The project broke ground in June of 2019.
Buc-ee’s opened its first Alabama location in Baldwin County in January 2019 — the first Buc-ee’s completed outside of the state of Texas.
Additional new Buc-ee’s planned in Alabama and Georgia
While the Leeds facility wraps up construction, Buc-ee’s announced plans to construct a third Alabama location in Athens on October 22, 2020.
On October 30, WAFF48 announced the $35 million Buc-ee’s in Athens was approved for development by Limestone County Commissioners and Athens City Council members following a special joint public meeting.
Another Buc-ee’s in Warner Robins, Georgia is also nearing its grand opening, which is set for November 2020.
Upon the completion of the two Alabama locations and the Georgia location, 39 Buc-ee’s locations will be operational in three states.
Still privately held, Buc-ee’s said it has no plans to go public or pursue franchises. Dan Parkinson, Buc-ee’s district manager, jokes that Buc-ee’s is going to “take over the world, one clean restroom at a time.”