Contractor on brink of closure: The feds never paid up

[rsmith6621]

TACOMA, Wash. -- A longtime building contractor may be forced to close its doors because the federal government is allegedly withholding $215,000.

Sterling Exteriors of Tacoma helped renovate the famed Paradise Inn at Mount Rainier. The project has been completed since last May, but the government still hasn't paid the entire sum due.

The tough economy and downturn in building has already forced Sterling to issue layoffs. But the company says it has no more corners to cut, and fears it may have to close its doors just in time for the holidays.

Paradise Inn renovations took two years and cost $23 million. Sterling re-roofed the entire lodge.

"We were very excited to get this project," said owner Doug Vieselmeyer.

http://www.komonews.com/news/35935119.html

[gratuitous]

1. Construction lien?

If the person or entity that hired the contractor doesn't pay, the contractor can file a construction lien and foreclose the property.

[galileoreloaded]

2. Kind of worthless in this case as the property will probably never be sold...

ergo no proceeds to be disbursed, no pressure to pay up. UNLESS, Ha, Ive got it!! Sell it to the Chinese!!