Lincoln Library Construction Cost Fight Settled

The state of Illinois will collect more than $3 million from three contractors and deflect claims totaling another $7 million under a settlement over cost overruns and construction delays at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield.

Architect Hellmuth Obata and Kassabaum of St. Louis will pay the state $2.125 million and give up $1.6 million it said the state owed, the Chicago Tribune reported March 30. Springfield general contractor Siciliano will give up about $5.5 million in claims for work performed, and designer BRC Imagination Arts will give up its final payment of $750,000 and claims with a potential value in the millions.

The state initially anticipated recovering up to $15 million in costs. Its legal fees incurred in reaching the settlement totaled $1.2 million.

Posted on April 4, 2008. Discuss.

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