Controversy Over Old Job Costs Hardin Construction New Work
The University of Georgia Athletic Association has dropped Hardin Construction Co. as prime contractor on an $18.6-million expansion of an office and practice facility building in Athens, Ga., because of concern following the Dec. 19, 2008, collapse of a deck section that killed one worker at a Hardin project at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. “We didn’t want additional attention brought to the [new] project while that incident is being investigated,” says Arthur Johnson, associate athletic director. Atlanta-based Hardin is contesting a proposed safety fine over the accident.
Although the final contract for the expansion project at Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall had not been signed, the athletic association on June 26 informed Hardin of its selection and issued a notice to proceed. Within days the notice was cancelled. The athletic association instead hired Brasfield & Gorrie, Birmingham, Ala., at an additional cost of about $210,000.