As of March 4, 2020, at least four mechanics lien claims have been filed against the Gateway of Pacific biotechnology project in San Francisco, Calif. totaling millions in unpaid construction work, according to lien affidavits.
Four subcontractors hired to construct the $430 million Gateway of Pacific project are still owed $11.4 million in mechanics liens against the project’s general contractor, Turner Construction, since August of 2020. A mechanics lien is used to force payment to unpaid contractors by gaining a security interest in the property.
The property, owned by BioMed Realty, now houses one of the world’s largest independent biotechnology companies in Amgen, Inc.
According to BioMed Realty, there is a second project currently being constructed at Gateway of Pacific that is expected to be completed by the end of 2020. This additional project will add 30,000 square feet of laboratory and office space.
Each mechanics lien was processed with the San Mateo County clerk’s office pursuant to California statutes governing mechanics liens.
Four Contractors Owed $11.4M
The four subcontractors are allegedly owed a total of $11,452,002.50 for constructing the Gateway of Pacific, located at 1000 Gateway Blvd, South San Francisco, CA.
Subcontractor Pacific Structures, Inc. has not only filed the largest lien against Turner Construction, but has also been involved in a breach of contract lawsuit with the GC as of September 8, 2020.
Before their lawsuit was filed, Pacific Structures filed a lien valued at $5,184,669.43 on June 25, 2020 against Turner Construction.
Pacific Structures argues that their breach of contract with Turner Construction stems from the GC’s non-payment, their refusal to approve change orders, delaying the project, failing to timely respond to requests for information, and from improperly withholding funds.
On April 20, 2020, subcontractor Schuff Steel Company filed a $3.1 million lien on the property. On June 17, 2020 Turner Construction paid a $31K premium to secure a lien release bond in response to Schuff Steel Company’s claim. Bonding off a mechanics lien effectively discharges it, moving the claim from the property onto the bond.
On August 18, Bay City Mechanical, Inc. filed a $2.8 million lien claim for unpaid flashing and sheet metal work and materials.
A 1.5 Million-Square-Foot Biotechnology Campus
BioMed Realty hired Turner Construction to construct the two phases that make up the laboratory and office space within Gateway of Pacific. To date, phase two of the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.
The first phase of the Gateway of Pacific houses one 12-story building and an additional five-story building. A five-story atrium was then constructed to connect the two buildings. There was also an adjoining parking structure that was constructed below grade to connect the two buildings. The parking structure includes an additional 725 parking spaces.
A two-story amenities building and a landscaped park were also constructed during the project’s first phase of work.