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November 7, 2007

High court sides with convention center in Dunk suit

PROVIDENCE -- The state Supreme Court has sided with the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority in a lawsuit that alleged that the independent state agency violated bidding laws in choosing a company to oversee the $80.5-million renovation of the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

In December 2005, A.F. Lusi Construction Inc. sued the authority, alleging that it failed to comply with a state law that requires public agencies to solicit competitive bids from general contractors who vie to complete a project for the lowest cost.

For the sports arena upgrade, the authority opted to hire a construction manager that would be paid a fixed fee to oversee the construction and recruit subcontractors.

In January 2006, Superior Court Judge Patricia Hurst dismissed Lusi's lawsuit, ruling that the authority was exempt from sections of the state bidding law. The Supreme Court, in an opinion by Chief Justice Frank J. Williams, upheld Hurst’s decision.

-- Journal staff writer Benjamin N. Gedan

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 12:05 PM | Permalink

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Jim | November 7, 2007 12:18 PM link

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