Gold Mechanical hit with $224K breach of contract suit

A specialty aquarium company based in the Seattle area has sued a Springfield-based mechanical contracting firm.

ALSI LLC, also known as Aquatic Life Support Installation, filed a civil suit June 4 in Greene County Circuit Court against Gold Mechanical Inc. The six-page lawsuit alleges breach of contract and unjust enrichment, according to the petition.

In its petition, ALSI told the court it signed a master agreement with Gold Mechanical in December 2023 for a nearly $1.4 million aquarium life support system job at the Mote Science Education Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida.

The Mote project had oversight by The Whiting Turner Contracting Co., which hired Gold Mechanical, according to court papers. In its lawsuit, ALSI contends that it performed extra work on the Mote project that was not covered by its project proposal or the purchase order issued by Gold Mechanical after the two companies signed their master agreement.

ALSI wrote in the lawsuit petition that Gold Mechanical approved eight change orders for the extra work that came to nearly $484,000, but that Gold Mechanical still owes the Seattle-based company nearly $224,000. ALSI asked the courts for a jury trial seeking the amount it says is still owed, plus 9% interest and attorneys’ fees.

“Here at Gold Mechanical, we dispute the allegations contained in ALSI LLC’s lawsuit,” said Gold Mechanical Vice President of Construction Carl Kicklighter in a written statement today. “While Gold Mechanical cannot comment on the specific allegations in the lawsuit due to the pending litigation, the lawsuit filed by ALSI does not contain a complete retelling of the facts. Gold Mechanical intends to vigorously defend itself against these claims.”

SBJ reached out to ALSI’s St. Louis-based attorney in the case yesterday and will update this story if any response is received.